Alignment/ Camber question - how low before camber kit?
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Joined: Apr 2009
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E 500 W211
Alignment/ Camber question - how low before camber kit?
Hey guys,
Im new to the forum and own a 2004 E500 4matic...awesome car- but terrible drop
I've doing a ton of reading here, and i'm about to bite the bullet on lowering links to drop it slightly.
My question is, how low can i go before having to buy a camber kit?
I would like to have about 2-2.5 finger gap all around (with E63 staggered rep wheels)--so about an inch drop in the rear and slightly more in the front.
Im new to the forum and own a 2004 E500 4matic...awesome car- but terrible drop
I've doing a ton of reading here, and i'm about to bite the bullet on lowering links to drop it slightly.
My question is, how low can i go before having to buy a camber kit?
I would like to have about 2-2.5 finger gap all around (with E63 staggered rep wheels)--so about an inch drop in the rear and slightly more in the front.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Thats a great question. I'm planning on doing it via SDS all around .. maybe 1" in the back and 0.75" in the front.
Basically, I think the car drops 1" all around when at freeway speeds. Whatever that drop is, is what I want to do because if no camber is required for that drop at freeway speeds, surely it can't be required at slower speeds? Maybe my logic is flawed.
Basically, I think the car drops 1" all around when at freeway speeds. Whatever that drop is, is what I want to do because if no camber is required for that drop at freeway speeds, surely it can't be required at slower speeds? Maybe my logic is flawed.
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 111
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From: Chicago, IL
2003 E500 Sport, 1999 ML430 & Regal 402 Commodore
I lowered my car with the washer method about 1.5" and it looks great. BTW, it have 18" stag'd also.
I ruined 3 sets of tires by not doing a camber kit within 10000miles! First the original tires, then my winters & finally my 18's. The camber was a -2.2, you wouldn't think that's too much, but it destroyed the inner edges of my tires. The delay in came in finding someone to install the K-mac camber kit. I finally decided to do it my self. Wow...that was a tough job, but it remedied my tire problems.
Just do the camber fix ASAP.
Good luck
I ruined 3 sets of tires by not doing a camber kit within 10000miles! First the original tires, then my winters & finally my 18's. The camber was a -2.2, you wouldn't think that's too much, but it destroyed the inner edges of my tires. The delay in came in finding someone to install the K-mac camber kit. I finally decided to do it my self. Wow...that was a tough job, but it remedied my tire problems.
Just do the camber fix ASAP.
Good luck
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
Do it sooner rather than later, there is no way to get out of a camber kit to get the alignment right. Spend $7-800 on (rear) camber kits and alignment or change tires every 10,000 miles.....
Rear camber kit is from K-mac (~$350 + install if you don't want to DIY), http://www.k-mac.com.au they are bushing replacements with adjustment, not super hard to install, but you need to take a bunch of stuff off and deflate the rear suspension in order to put them in. Its a long job and you need all the right tools and a lift to make it easier.
Fronts are from the dealer, they are called alignment repair bolts (or something like that), they are basically the same bolts used on the front suspension, but with 2 long grooves that allows you to dial in positive camber on the front suspension. They are around $10 each if I recall, you need 2.
Rear camber kit is from K-mac (~$350 + install if you don't want to DIY), http://www.k-mac.com.au they are bushing replacements with adjustment, not super hard to install, but you need to take a bunch of stuff off and deflate the rear suspension in order to put them in. Its a long job and you need all the right tools and a lift to make it easier.
Fronts are from the dealer, they are called alignment repair bolts (or something like that), they are basically the same bolts used on the front suspension, but with 2 long grooves that allows you to dial in positive camber on the front suspension. They are around $10 each if I recall, you need 2.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
So you guys are telling me its wrong to assume that if I lower my car to what it lowers itself to at freeway speeds, that I won't need to fix the camber?
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Super Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
Logic dictates that if the car lowers 1/2" at freeway speeds and you lower it 1/2" at normal speeds, then at freeway speeds it would lower 1". So that alters the geometry and will eat your tires. Spend the $$ now fixing the alignment and doing it right, or later on tires, but you WILL spend $$ if you lower it at all.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
My logic was that if the car is 1/2" lower at freeway speeds and I set it to go down 1/2" at normal speeds, it won't lower itself any further at freeway speeds because its already where it needs to be.
But yeah, I might wait on lowering until I'm ready to blow over $1k on lowering the car via SDS or links + kit.
But yeah, I might wait on lowering until I'm ready to blow over $1k on lowering the car via SDS or links + kit.
Logic dictates that if the car lowers 1/2" at freeway speeds and you lower it 1/2" at normal speeds, then at freeway speeds it would lower 1". So that alters the geometry and will eat your tires. Spend the $$ now fixing the alignment and doing it right, or later on tires, but you WILL spend $$ if you lower it at all.
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From: Pa.
06 cls500 06 chev crew cab dually duramax 01 cadillac dts 97 jeep tj 73 impala pro street 41 apache
Hi y'all, I have a customer with a 03 e320 and no $$$
(still owes for last two bills) this is why we are asking this question instead of ordering the kmac kit! The rear camber is out and wearing tires quickly and was wondering if it is possible to grind off the nubs where the rear lower control arm bolts go through? There is a slot that we could adjust the camber if they were gone but was wondering if it would move while driving or over potholes? Thanks.
ps, it is stock not lowered and could not find anything bent, worn out or sagging.
(still owes for last two bills) this is why we are asking this question instead of ordering the kmac kit! The rear camber is out and wearing tires quickly and was wondering if it is possible to grind off the nubs where the rear lower control arm bolts go through? There is a slot that we could adjust the camber if they were gone but was wondering if it would move while driving or over potholes? Thanks.ps, it is stock not lowered and could not find anything bent, worn out or sagging.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Since you have air suspension, I remember some years back in a thread someone mentioned using the "Star" equipment to lower the suspension without any mechanical mod. Do a search.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
It's not about lowering the car. It's about how to correct the alignment, specifically camber.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 158
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From: Dallas,TX
08 W211 E350 Sport Pkg. AMG Kits, Sienna Black Paint/Designo Tan Leather Pkg/Pano, Navi, Miro M.BLk
I'm looking into the Camber Kit now, I just got a blow out on the freeway today. 1 255/35/19 Michelin Pilot PS2 busted.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,TX
08 W211 E350 Sport Pkg. AMG Kits, Sienna Black Paint/Designo Tan Leather Pkg/Pano, Navi, Miro M.BLk
Do it sooner rather than later, there is no way to get out of a camber kit to get the alignment right. Spend $7-800 on (rear) camber kits and alignment or change tires every 10,000 miles.....
Rear camber kit is from K-mac (~$350 + install if you don't want to DIY), http://www.k-mac.com.au they are bushing replacements with adjustment, not super hard to install, but you need to take a bunch of stuff off and deflate the rear suspension in order to put them in. Its a long job and you need all the right tools and a lift to make it easier.
Fronts are from the dealer, they are called alignment repair bolts (or something like that), they are basically the same bolts used on the front suspension, but with 2 long grooves that allows you to dial in positive camber on the front suspension. They are around $10 each if I recall, you need 2.
Rear camber kit is from K-mac (~$350 + install if you don't want to DIY), http://www.k-mac.com.au they are bushing replacements with adjustment, not super hard to install, but you need to take a bunch of stuff off and deflate the rear suspension in order to put them in. Its a long job and you need all the right tools and a lift to make it easier.
Fronts are from the dealer, they are called alignment repair bolts (or something like that), they are basically the same bolts used on the front suspension, but with 2 long grooves that allows you to dial in positive camber on the front suspension. They are around $10 each if I recall, you need 2.
