Alignment specs
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Long Island, NY
A few toys & 07' E350 4matic w/AMG sport packg.
Alignment specs
Just had the car aligned, was way off, which I knew it would be. New tires go on tomorrow. He told me camber and caster is not adjustable on my car, is this true? Just want to make sure
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Somewhat true. At least factory-stock.
For front alignment, you'll need the offset swingarm bolts (aka eccentric bolts, which they aren't). Provide minimal adjustment but can help in some situations. Look in the W210 DIY stickies and you'll find a post from when I installed them on my W210.
For our W211s, you can use the same bolts mentioned above, or the KMac kit 502216 but the kit alone is priced at $480. For the rear suspension, there is the newly-released UPD kit which, although pricey, looks worth the money for quality, ease of adjustment, and looks. Not to mention the cost savings in rear tires. That one is on my list of things to buy myself for Christmas.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...its-stock.html
Hope this helps.
For front alignment, you'll need the offset swingarm bolts (aka eccentric bolts, which they aren't). Provide minimal adjustment but can help in some situations. Look in the W210 DIY stickies and you'll find a post from when I installed them on my W210.
For our W211s, you can use the same bolts mentioned above, or the KMac kit 502216 but the kit alone is priced at $480. For the rear suspension, there is the newly-released UPD kit which, although pricey, looks worth the money for quality, ease of adjustment, and looks. Not to mention the cost savings in rear tires. That one is on my list of things to buy myself for Christmas.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...its-stock.html
Hope this helps.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Oct 19, 2014 at 10:16 AM.
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
Since the mid ‘90 model’s, with the ever increasing speed of vehicle assembly lines there has been no front or rear Camber (or front Caster) adjustment facility fitted OEM!
Only current adjustment is front and rear Toe.
To attempt to return vehicle to factory specs to resolve premature inner edge tire wear, improve traction, and fix steering pull the only current alternative for Camber and Caster is to fit offset, slotted bolts (for the front only). But these are inaccurate one only position bolts offering a minimal .3 of one degree adjustment (3mm).
It’s no wonder many owners continually change tire brands or go from one MB Dealer or alignment shop to another trying to get it right/fix the problem!
We saw the need therefore "to fix it right the first time" by designing, developing, patenting (and re-instating from the 1990's) fully adjustable front (and rear) suspension for virtually all models.
The current K-MAC kits have up to 4 times the adjustment of the one position offset bolts (both Positive or Negative). And unlike these offset one position bolts they can be accurately adjusted - under load, direct on alignment turntable (no need to remove and reinstall each time).
Ongoing, precise adjustment of both Camber and Caster settings if altering suspension height, fitting wide profile tires/wheels, curb knock damage or being able to quickly fine tune/change specs on race days. Extra Negative (plus track width) to go deeper into the corners/lower lap times. With the unique K-MAC patented design only requires use of a single wrench/no disassembly.
For the rear, similar kits for precise Camber adjustment (with additional Toe to compensate for the new Camber facility). Importantly unlike the alternative adjustable Camber arms K-MAC rear kits do not move top of tire outwards - this reducing the essential clearance top of tire to outer fender when adjusting to fix premature inner edge tire wear/improve rear traction.
Also instead of spherical bearings as used on control arms which prematurely pound out allowing metal to metal contact. At K-MAC we have developed long life elastomer bushings.
Bonus with the four front and four rear bushes is that they are also designed with twice the load bearing area and replace the highest wearing suspension bushings. And with K-MAC no special tools are required to fit.
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
KMac rep,
By now I would hope you have recovered your engineering investment involved in the design of your offset bushings. Have you ever considered reducing the cost of your older kits to encourage folks to purchase them for the older cars?
$480 on a car valued at $95K is not much. $480, however, on a car valued a $5K is quite a difference.
Instead of a cash cow, (understandable if you work under national regulations such as we face in the USA), how about you make it easier to improve our older vehicles? In return we encourage the newer vehicle owners to purchase your products so you can recoup your engineering and design costs.
Please don't get me wrong, y'all have great stuff. It's just your prices don't get any cheaper for your old stuff in real-year costs. Your sunk costs are recouped; how about giving a break for us working stiffs who can only afford older Mercedes?
If your kits were only half the cost they are now I'd be willing to purchase two sets for my two E55 AMGs. ~$1000 US? No way. ~$500 US? I would seriously consider paying for this....
FWIW. And you now have competition with UPD....
By now I would hope you have recovered your engineering investment involved in the design of your offset bushings. Have you ever considered reducing the cost of your older kits to encourage folks to purchase them for the older cars?
$480 on a car valued at $95K is not much. $480, however, on a car valued a $5K is quite a difference.
Instead of a cash cow, (understandable if you work under national regulations such as we face in the USA), how about you make it easier to improve our older vehicles? In return we encourage the newer vehicle owners to purchase your products so you can recoup your engineering and design costs.
Please don't get me wrong, y'all have great stuff. It's just your prices don't get any cheaper for your old stuff in real-year costs. Your sunk costs are recouped; how about giving a break for us working stiffs who can only afford older Mercedes?
If your kits were only half the cost they are now I'd be willing to purchase two sets for my two E55 AMGs. ~$1000 US? No way. ~$500 US? I would seriously consider paying for this....
FWIW. And you now have competition with UPD....
