Lower Control Arm Chamber Adjustment???
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
Lower Control Arm Chamber Adjustment???
Well I failed to pay attention to the chamber when I replaced my lower control arm bushings and the inner edges of my tires are being worn very quickly and badly, thank god I noticed. The car also has ridiculously poor traction as the front end is being tracked on the inside edges of the tires...I am now questioning myself how to adjust the chamber?
I remember the control arm bolts have a off centered washer built into the hex end of the bolt and I'm guessing that this butts up against the small metal rails in which the control arm is bolted to on the frame. Thus this forces the control arms horizontally left or right according to where this off centered washer end sits against the rails? Is there a easy way to do this with the springs on? How do I tell if its straight as when the car sits on the ground it looks fine? I hope someone will be able to help me overcome my ignorance.
I remember the control arm bolts have a off centered washer built into the hex end of the bolt and I'm guessing that this butts up against the small metal rails in which the control arm is bolted to on the frame. Thus this forces the control arms horizontally left or right according to where this off centered washer end sits against the rails? Is there a easy way to do this with the springs on? How do I tell if its straight as when the car sits on the ground it looks fine? I hope someone will be able to help me overcome my ignorance.
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
on my car, the washers are adjusted in a way that pushes both ends of the control arm as far out from the body as possible. Hope that helps.
It sounds more likely that a tie rod end adjustment would produce the rubbing youre having. Count the threads on each side and make sure they match up.
If you have a more specific question, Ill try and give you a more specific answer.
It sounds more likely that a tie rod end adjustment would produce the rubbing youre having. Count the threads on each side and make sure they match up.
If you have a more specific question, Ill try and give you a more specific answer.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
I had the front end aligned when I got new tires on it, do they usually adjust the tie-rods in a alignment? I replaced the tie rods also along with ball joints Lower cont arm bushings and all new steering drag link/arm etc. however I measured the tie rods to match the previous ones. Also the inner edge of the tire, and Im talking about the far inside of the tire is starting to show cable fray its so bad, and the thing has no traction around corners it just screeches and starts to slip out. I'll put her up on jack stands tomorrow and see where the washers are but I really think its the chamber unless those symptoms are also common culprits of improper tie rod end adjustment. Thank you!!
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
if you say she has no turns crappily and theres inner wear, it sounds like tie rods.
They wouldnt normally have to do that during an alignment because its impossible for one to spin while connected. Its most likely an easy fix, but you still need new tires now :-\
Those washers could also be the problem if maybe just the front or just the rear one is out of place. If needed I will post a picture when the sun comes up
They wouldnt normally have to do that during an alignment because its impossible for one to spin while connected. Its most likely an easy fix, but you still need new tires now :-\
Those washers could also be the problem if maybe just the front or just the rear one is out of place. If needed I will post a picture when the sun comes up
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: London, UK
W124
They will adjust easily with the springs on. There's no alternative to a full alignment I'm afraid. The dealer is the best bet. There's no real way of doing it yourself. The cost will be less than the tyres that you will ruin if you leave it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
You can get lifetime alignments from american tire or firestone for about $150.
That way when you get bored on the weekend you can just take her in. Just to cash in on it.
Seeing as its christmas tho, youre probly broke like me
Let me know if you need pix or anything in particular.
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Berkshire England
E320 Coupe
Of the two wishbone bolts it is the front one that adjusts Camber.
You cannot adjust canmber however until the end of the antiroll bar is unbolted from the wishbone.
You need to ensure the turning of the bolt moves the wishbone inwards, towards the centre line of the car to reduce the negative camber aspect which wears the inside edges.
You should get a simple plumbline to see how far it is out at present and then measure it again after you have adjusted.
I guess the tracking is probably out as well and the tie rods will need to be adjusted.
When you adjust the Camber the tracking will be put out anyway and will need to be adjusted.
It is all quite complex the inter relationship betwen the adjustments, and it has taken me a long time to understand and be able to make my own adjustments using basic gauges.
You cannot adjust canmber however until the end of the antiroll bar is unbolted from the wishbone.
You need to ensure the turning of the bolt moves the wishbone inwards, towards the centre line of the car to reduce the negative camber aspect which wears the inside edges.
You should get a simple plumbline to see how far it is out at present and then measure it again after you have adjusted.
I guess the tracking is probably out as well and the tie rods will need to be adjusted.
When you adjust the Camber the tracking will be put out anyway and will need to be adjusted.
It is all quite complex the inter relationship betwen the adjustments, and it has taken me a long time to understand and be able to make my own adjustments using basic gauges.
Thread Starter
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
well I took a look and all I can say is....OMG it was so ridiculously toed out. I looked at it and were talking inches, my tires are shot and since they provided the "free alignment" I feel they should replace my tires too because there was no alignment.....*******s plus they have a mileage warranty on them so I think I should be okay.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,907
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
well I took a look and all I can say is....OMG it was so ridiculously toed out. I looked at it and were talking inches, my tires are shot and since they provided the "free alignment" I feel they should replace my tires too because there was no alignment.....*******s plus they have a mileage warranty on them so I think I should be okay.
also let me know when you fix your exhaust and what you do to reduce noise. Mines annoyingly loud too...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
Yepp no problem! Im shooting for Christmas break, picking up a 44 series delta flowmaster and putting it behind the magnaflow. I'll record a before and after sound clip for you as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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124128
Alignment
Mercedes Benz of North Haven
I know nothing about them...BUT , they have the experience with your chassis
to align it properly.
That said, I drive 175 miles from Savannah to Jacksonville to buy parts from
Brumos rather than the local dealer.
I know nothing about them...BUT , they have the experience with your chassis
to align it properly.
That said, I drive 175 miles from Savannah to Jacksonville to buy parts from
Brumos rather than the local dealer.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
Are you a Connecticut local too? I have MB of NH in my contacts however the parts desk sucks.......the guy couldn't even pull up the part number for my sunroof gasket. JP Motors is a great well respected euro indy mechanic near me, worst comes to worst I'll bring it to them if my "free alignment" from the dummys who sold me my tires still cant align my baby.
