E320 CDI Front Suspension Height Adjustment -- Seeking Help!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bridgeton, NJ
2017 S550 4MATIC, 2003 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercab, 2005 SL600 Designo Silver
E320 CDI Front Suspension Height Adjustment -- Seeking Help!
Requesting help from the esteemed members --
I just finished changing out the front bushings and ball joints (left and right) on my 2006 E320 CDI. Definitely NOT pleased I got only 75,000 miles out of these components! I installed new front shock absorbers too.
I've noticed the front of my car is now about 2 inches higher than it used to be (and compared with the rear).
Does anyone have any specifications/procedures for making adjustments to this? This has affected my toe-in, as well as ride quality -- both in very negative ways.
Thanks in advance for any help!
I just finished changing out the front bushings and ball joints (left and right) on my 2006 E320 CDI. Definitely NOT pleased I got only 75,000 miles out of these components! I installed new front shock absorbers too.
I've noticed the front of my car is now about 2 inches higher than it used to be (and compared with the rear).
Does anyone have any specifications/procedures for making adjustments to this? This has affected my toe-in, as well as ride quality -- both in very negative ways.
Thanks in advance for any help!
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 431
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From: Cross Roads, PA
2008 ML320CDI
You werent supposed to tighten the bushing until you had the front weight of the car on them. IE, install bushing, keep loose, let jack down with tire on, or jack up the front suspension until you are at the normal ride height. I would just loosen them (I would jack up car, loose both sides, lower car and see where you end up), let the car settle then retighten. You should align after installation of the bushings.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
No alignment needed if you changed bushings and shocks, per MB alignment should be done only after changing steering system components (tire road end).
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
You werent supposed to tighten the bushing until you had the front weight of the car on them. IE, install bushing, keep loose, let jack down with tire on, or jack up the front suspension until you are at the normal ride height. I would just loosen them (I would jack up car, loose both sides, lower car and see where you end up), let the car settle then retighten. You should align after installation of the bushings.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 139
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From: Bridgeton, NJ
2017 S550 4MATIC, 2003 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercab, 2005 SL600 Designo Silver
Thank you all for the replies!
I take it from what has been written that I'm shooting for an "equilibrium" position (with the bolts a bit loose and the car resting on the tires), rather than a specific height dimension.
Correct?
I take it from what has been written that I'm shooting for an "equilibrium" position (with the bolts a bit loose and the car resting on the tires), rather than a specific height dimension.
Correct?
