Suspension help
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Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 242
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From: Canada
Mercedes 2019 AMG S63, 2015 E250 Bluetec. Previous: '18 E63S, '07 E63, '10 S550, '15 S550, '10 GL350
Suspension help
Please help
I lowered my 87 300 D Turbo about 6 months ago, and had no problems.
But, this past week, I have noticed that my right rear corner is lower than the left rear corner. The camber on the right side is off, my right rear tire on the inside is worn through. Any ideas what happened? Is it most likely the spring or camber arm adjuster (KMAC). I have lifetime warranty on the parts (Eibachs and Koni adjustables). I had the work done in another city, and am trying to figure out if I should limp back there on my spare tire, or have someone here take a look at it. Its about a 3 hour drive back to the place that did the install.
One more thing, you guys that have added 17s or 18s to your car, do you notice a decrease in ride quality? I have to change all four tires, and am contemplating going to 215/45/17. Right now I am running 15x7 Borbett polished 8 hole replicas with 205/60/15. They look beefy on the car....not sure if it is worth spending money on new rims..
I lowered my 87 300 D Turbo about 6 months ago, and had no problems.
But, this past week, I have noticed that my right rear corner is lower than the left rear corner. The camber on the right side is off, my right rear tire on the inside is worn through. Any ideas what happened? Is it most likely the spring or camber arm adjuster (KMAC). I have lifetime warranty on the parts (Eibachs and Koni adjustables). I had the work done in another city, and am trying to figure out if I should limp back there on my spare tire, or have someone here take a look at it. Its about a 3 hour drive back to the place that did the install.
One more thing, you guys that have added 17s or 18s to your car, do you notice a decrease in ride quality? I have to change all four tires, and am contemplating going to 215/45/17. Right now I am running 15x7 Borbett polished 8 hole replicas with 205/60/15. They look beefy on the car....not sure if it is worth spending money on new rims..
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 242
Likes: 5
From: Canada
Mercedes 2019 AMG S63, 2015 E250 Bluetec. Previous: '18 E63S, '07 E63, '10 S550, '15 S550, '10 GL350
Problem Diagnosed
KMAC bushing got damaged because of a loose bolt. Need a new bushing and an alignment.
KMAC bushing got damaged because of a loose bolt. Need a new bushing and an alignment.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
I have been worried about that
I’ve been worried about that happening to me ever since I had the K-MAC bushings installed.
Did you have to buy an entire new set of K-MAC bushings?
There must be a lot of force being applied to the bushing during cornering. I have been wondering if the eccentric mechanism will slip from the forces during cornering. I wonder how long the bushing will last. Everyone says the polyurethane is good for a very long time, but I wonder if the eccentric mechanism could give up early. I also wonder if the bushing can be adjusted repeatedly or if it is best to just set it and forget it after you have the rear camber adjusted. I wonder how common it is to strip the bolt or the little ridges that help secure the nut inside the bushing. I suppose I am just looking for reassurance from anyone out there that knows about the K-MAC bushings. How common is it to have a problem with the bushings and how long do they actually last.
Do I need an extra set of K-MAC bushing just in case mine breaks and they stop making new parts for the W124? I guess I could always go back to my original springs and stock ride height, but that would be a disappointment.
I just saw a "real" AMG W124. I stopped the guy and he said he was the 3rd owner and really didn’t know much about the car yet. He did say that it was a gazelle on the highway. He had the same wheels that I have and it looked like it must have been a little lower than normal W124s. The ride height looked about the same as my car. I might have to stop at his house and see what they use to adjust the camber on the AMG W124.
Did you have to buy an entire new set of K-MAC bushings?
There must be a lot of force being applied to the bushing during cornering. I have been wondering if the eccentric mechanism will slip from the forces during cornering. I wonder how long the bushing will last. Everyone says the polyurethane is good for a very long time, but I wonder if the eccentric mechanism could give up early. I also wonder if the bushing can be adjusted repeatedly or if it is best to just set it and forget it after you have the rear camber adjusted. I wonder how common it is to strip the bolt or the little ridges that help secure the nut inside the bushing. I suppose I am just looking for reassurance from anyone out there that knows about the K-MAC bushings. How common is it to have a problem with the bushings and how long do they actually last.
Do I need an extra set of K-MAC bushing just in case mine breaks and they stop making new parts for the W124? I guess I could always go back to my original springs and stock ride height, but that would be a disappointment.
I just saw a "real" AMG W124. I stopped the guy and he said he was the 3rd owner and really didn’t know much about the car yet. He did say that it was a gazelle on the highway. He had the same wheels that I have and it looked like it must have been a little lower than normal W124s. The ride height looked about the same as my car. I might have to stop at his house and see what they use to adjust the camber on the AMG W124.
Last edited by ksing44; Aug 15, 2004 at 07:55 AM. Reason: Added a picture of my car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 242
Likes: 5
From: Canada
Mercedes 2019 AMG S63, 2015 E250 Bluetec. Previous: '18 E63S, '07 E63, '10 S550, '15 S550, '10 GL350
Hey Ken,
I was hoping you might come by this post. You were very helpful when I was plannig to drop the car.
I contacted the tunershop I purchesed them from, they said it is still under warranty
They will call KMAC and get me a set.
I know what you mean, Im glad I lowered the car, it looks WAY better, and handles really well. But, I hope this does not happen again to me.
I will have to pay to have them installed again, and get an alignment. I ll know in a few days how much this will cost me. Ill let you know.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone else if they have had a similar problem.
I was hoping you might come by this post. You were very helpful when I was plannig to drop the car.
I contacted the tunershop I purchesed them from, they said it is still under warranty
They will call KMAC and get me a set.I know what you mean, Im glad I lowered the car, it looks WAY better, and handles really well. But, I hope this does not happen again to me.
I will have to pay to have them installed again, and get an alignment. I ll know in a few days how much this will cost me. Ill let you know.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone else if they have had a similar problem.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Good Luck
Good luck to you Diesel. My bushings have been in for 2 years and 4 months. So far I have had no problems, but I am hoping to go for another 10 or 20 years. I do remember that my mechanic told me that the K-MAC bushings looked like high quality parts compared to other such devices he had seen. He is a specialized Porsche Race Tuner Mechanic, so I suppose he has seen a lot of special aftermarket products. Next Time I go to his shop, probably when I get a new set of tires from the Tirerack, I will get him to check my alignment to be sure that my bushings have not slipped.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,489
Likes: 96
haters crazy
In response to the 18" ride feeling, I have had 2 sets of 18's on my car and it DRASTICLY improves handling on the stock 15's, my car is lowered with intrax springs and bilstein sport shocks. The ride is a little stiffer (not harsh unless u hit a pothole) but definitely worth the handling improvement. I actually like the ride better with the 18's. Right now I have the stock 15's back on the car and I am definitely missing the 18's.
