Negative camber
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Joined: Oct 2016
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2013 GL550
Negative camber
I have a 2013 GL550 that I bought one year ago. The rear wheels seem to have a negative camber, which makes it wear out the tires on the inside more than on the outside. I know that this gives you more stability when cornering. Is this normal for these vehicles? Do they come like this from the factory, or should I have that corrected to a zero camber, thus saving my tires? Any thoughts?
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
We manufacture front ‘Camber' and ‘Caster’ and rear ‘Camber’ and extra ‘Toe’ adjuster kits to suit virtually every Mercedes Model 1968 to 2016.
For the SUV’s (W163, W164/X164,W166/X166, W251) the front kit not only provides Camber and Caster adjustment for the 1st time but also replaces the 2 lower arm inner rear bushes that prematurely pound out (and replacements are expensive!).
For the rear, a Camber and Toe kit that replaces the 4 rear highest wearing bushings and also doubles the existing adjustment range.
CAMBER – Allows to actually change the tire contact angle resolving costly, premature edge tire wear, improving traction/understeer/oversteer (TOE only alters wheel direction).
CASTER –Correctly resolves steering pull, increases steering response. With better turn in and high speed directional control, along with improved anti dive/lift under brake and acceleration.
Necessity if high cambered roads, altering height, fitting wide profile tires/wheels, load carrying or ongoing adjustment for curb knock damage.
W164/X164,W166/X166, W251:
Front kit P/N 504016M $595
Rear Kit P/N 504026K $480
MB World members (USA/Canada) delivery $30 one kit or $40 front and rear.
Can pay by PayPal or call our toll free number 1888 414 0762 to quote Visa or MasterCard.
For the SUV’s (W163, W164/X164,W166/X166, W251) the front kit not only provides Camber and Caster adjustment for the 1st time but also replaces the 2 lower arm inner rear bushes that prematurely pound out (and replacements are expensive!).
For the rear, a Camber and Toe kit that replaces the 4 rear highest wearing bushings and also doubles the existing adjustment range.
CAMBER – Allows to actually change the tire contact angle resolving costly, premature edge tire wear, improving traction/understeer/oversteer (TOE only alters wheel direction).
CASTER –Correctly resolves steering pull, increases steering response. With better turn in and high speed directional control, along with improved anti dive/lift under brake and acceleration.
Necessity if high cambered roads, altering height, fitting wide profile tires/wheels, load carrying or ongoing adjustment for curb knock damage.
W164/X164,W166/X166, W251:
Front kit P/N 504016M $595
Rear Kit P/N 504026K $480
MB World members (USA/Canada) delivery $30 one kit or $40 front and rear.
Can pay by PayPal or call our toll free number 1888 414 0762 to quote Visa or MasterCard.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 296
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From: America's Mitten
on GLC300 #2, a 2022 CPO purchased b/c I really dislike the X254's UI (GL350 before those)
Wish I knew, but this place is so dead that the only reply you get is a robo-sales post. Sorry, man. Try new ml forum?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
From: Houston, Tx
2015 GL350
I have a 2013 GL550 that I bought one year ago. The rear wheels seem to have a negative camber, which makes it wear out the tires on the inside more than on the outside. I know that this gives you more stability when cornering. Is this normal for these vehicles? Do they come like this from the factory, or should I have that corrected to a zero camber, thus saving my tires? Any thoughts?
Last edited by Lone Star Benz; Oct 15, 2016 at 10:01 AM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: FL
2015 GL550 2013 ESV Platinum 2008 Hummer H2 LE UM
It's suppose to have negative camber because it contains the double wishbone fronts and multilink double wishbone rears. Reason being is to improve handling when going on sharp curves and better control of the vehicles. Also give more surface area to the tires to have better grip on the road. Tires will wear unfortunately, but there are tires like the DWS 06 that gives longer tread wear life.
I was in the same position as you with my 2012 GL550 when my tires blew, but did more study about them to get a better understanding.
I was in the same position as you with my 2012 GL550 when my tires blew, but did more study about them to get a better understanding.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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A gaggle of MB's
Frankly - I would suggest you get the rear alignment checked - on a "used GL" I have seen where they have been grabbed in the rear by a two truck - who clips to the rear suspension rather than using the tow hook - and those get wacked out
