Hi everyone,

I have a 2015 E400 4MATIC Sedan. About 3 weeks ago, I noticed negative camber on both of my rear wheels. Shortly after, I had both of the rear suspension springs replaced, and the car was supposedly aligned. However, the negative camber is still present on both rear wheels. Today, I also noticed negative camber in one of the front wheels. (Pics attached.) Over bumps, a "squeak" noise has been coming from the suspension. The ride is unstable and "loose" feeling, not as tight as I knew it to be many years ago, and I am getting a shaking, wobbly sensation at highway speeds. I live in Southern New England and after the awful winter we just had, the potholes were terrible.

- Has anybody encountered this problem?

- What could be the root cause of this?

- In what direction should I go in first to fix this? The camber of the front nor the rear cannot be adjusted with factory parts, right?

Thanks a ton in advance

 

Front and rear cambers can benefit using non-stock setup to re-gain proper alignment.

What messes up handling like nothing else are loose seasoned bushings.

You mentioned winter potholes... exactly what kills plastic ball joints + soft aluminum rims.

To keep things simple: if you don't DIY be sure to ask for a quote from your trusted MB specialist.

Many suspensions parts are up for refresh. FRONT end :

• control arms + BJ's
• (struts) + top mounts
• sway bar links
• (tie rods ?)
• (bearings ?)
• camber bolts kit

Then REAR end is next to track well.

• multi-links
• SB links
• adjustable cam arm
• (leaky shocks?)

 

W212 rear camber is built in, its maximum angle is depending on your car suspension variant.
AMG W212 has more rear camber.
Typical W212 will have at least minus 1 degree of rear camber.

You wrote , in blue :
The ride is unstable and "loose" feeling, not as tight as I knew it to be many years ago, and I am getting a shaking, wobbly sensation at highway speeds. I live in Southern New England and after the awful winter we just had, the potholes were terrible.

That is called aging and wear and tear... but on the scarry side, maybe your REAR subframe is rotting ( rust ) already, which is common for W212 and W204.
Not tight is expected as bushings on the arms and subframe get worn out.

Wobbly & shaking IS NOT NORMAL.
You recently had your rear springs replaced and wheel aligned, if there is bad rust on the rear subframe and no one tell you about it...I will be pissed off.

Where is your alignment records.
Show us

 

I'm wondering were your rear springs replaced with the correct color codes? many different spring options were used

 

Hi all,
Unfortunately I did not get an alignment sheet with "before" and "after" measurements of camber, caster, and tow even after asking for one at the independent shop (which is making me very skeptical). I understand that my particular suspension codes are 677/486.
I confirmed that the part number of the rear springs equipped to the car is 212-324-04-04. Also, there is no damage present on any of the tires or rims themselves.

Should I get a new, fresh alignment before diagnosing the issue to get to the bottom of it?

 

No Front Camber or Caster and no Rear Camber OEM !

No adjustment therefore to compensate for other than “Showroom Height conditions.

Today's models - Cost cutting and ever increasing speed of new car assembly lines - The often quoted reassuring “Full Front & Rear 4 Wheel Alignment” - IS NOW ONLY BASIC “TOE” (Directional adjustment).


ONUS NOW BACK ON OWNERS - To fund costly premature tire replacement - No longer being able to adjust tire contact angles / Spread load more evenly. Or track days able to quickly dial in more Neg. Camber to reduce understeer.

While replacing “worn bushes“ require special tools and “time consuming control arm removal”.

At K-MAC we have changed all that - Longest established most experienced Adjuster kit and Performance Bushing manufacturer (1964).

Kits to suit virtually every Mercedes Benz model front and rear 1968 to 2026.

These kits also same time “replace and uprate” - The main highest wearing suspension bushings !

Front and rear Mercedes Benz adjuster kits are also specially designed so no special tools required to install. Plus no time consuming need to remove control arms !

Unique painted design allows “easily accessible” single wrench precise adjustment (Direct on alignment rack - UNDER LOAD).

SEE SPOILER RE TOTAL SYSTEM FOR ALL W212 MODELS.

NOTE: Besides above Front & Rear adjuster kits / uprated bushings - Also see #502628H kit: Uprated bushings for the ‘6’ rear multi link arms. Significantly reducing rear end flex / Wheel tramp / Loss of traction - Especially when applying power to lane change / overtake.






AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and Costs) Since 1964 !