Rear camber AMG 21" alignment question
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Rear camber AMG 21" alignment question
I'm just getting ready to install new winter tires. I'm staying with 21" tires on my AMG 53.
When measuring the tread depth to assess wear patterns, I got unexpected tread depth measurements. The outside of the tread had worn more than the inside.
I had expected negative camber to have more wear on the inner tread (less tread depth) on the inside compared to the outside.
Instead, on the five grooves on the Conti Cross Contact All seasons, I got
6.5/32"- 6.4/32" - 5.4/32"-5.0/32" -5.0/32" , from inside out on both tires.
(The original tread depth was 9/32") I have just over 17,000 mi on them. There is no feathering or other indication of abnormal wear. I might lower my tire pressures by two PSI but that's not my question.
I was planning to get an alignment when I go to the dealer in 2500 Miles and get an alignment at that time.
I like a dealer alignments because of the fixtures they use that fit OE Wheels specifically.
So a couple of questions.
What do you think of my tire wear on this car, and do you think that's a reason for an alignment?
I'd have to do it at Discount Tire, so what are people's experience with them in general? Do they have appropriate fixtures to get a good alignment the first time?
(Cross post in AMG forum.)
When measuring the tread depth to assess wear patterns, I got unexpected tread depth measurements. The outside of the tread had worn more than the inside.
I had expected negative camber to have more wear on the inner tread (less tread depth) on the inside compared to the outside.
Instead, on the five grooves on the Conti Cross Contact All seasons, I got
6.5/32"- 6.4/32" - 5.4/32"-5.0/32" -5.0/32" , from inside out on both tires.
(The original tread depth was 9/32") I have just over 17,000 mi on them. There is no feathering or other indication of abnormal wear. I might lower my tire pressures by two PSI but that's not my question.
I was planning to get an alignment when I go to the dealer in 2500 Miles and get an alignment at that time.
I like a dealer alignments because of the fixtures they use that fit OE Wheels specifically.
So a couple of questions.
What do you think of my tire wear on this car, and do you think that's a reason for an alignment?
I'd have to do it at Discount Tire, so what are people's experience with them in general? Do they have appropriate fixtures to get a good alignment the first time?
(Cross post in AMG forum.)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 933
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
cannot adjust camber on STOCK MB as they do not have adjustment.
There are companies out there that make adjustable bushings and/or links so you can adjust camber.
many many many thread on this CAMBER issue in all sections.
There are companies out there that make adjustable bushings and/or links so you can adjust camber.
many many many thread on this CAMBER issue in all sections.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I know kmac sells kits and they argue that there's no adjustment, but that's not my experience. K-mac may have more adjustment than stock, and they sell primarily on the mantra that nobody wants negative camber. I like my negative camber!
I'm pretty sure there's a limited amount of adjustment in the factory setup through eccentric cams and so forth.
My question was more about people's experience with a 53, because I had expected more inner tire wear because of the negative camber.
Visibly, I still have negative camber and it looks to me like approximately 1 to 1.5 negative. That's where I run another car so I'm familiar with the look.
I was surprised to have more outer tread wear, and wondered if others with an AMG had experienced this.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Last edited by mikapen; Jan 16, 2026 at 12:29 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
My Mercedes shop aligned my 53 this week, and found the camber to be close, but with a minor adjustment were able to bring it in to specs.
I asked about adjustable links and bushings, and they said that they have used bushings on occasion, but only on older cars. Not on a 167 chassis so far, since the minor adjustments that are available have allowed them to bring the cars into spec.
The toe was off on both front and rear axles, which explains my slight feathering I noticed on my front tires.
See attachment.
The car actually feels more stable now, but that may be because I only had 500 miles on my new winter tires (Vredestein Quattrac Pro Plus (the Plus is new this season), and now I have 750. Maybe it's a placebo effect, but I'm happy.
I asked about adjustable links and bushings, and they said that they have used bushings on occasion, but only on older cars. Not on a 167 chassis so far, since the minor adjustments that are available have allowed them to bring the cars into spec.
The toe was off on both front and rear axles, which explains my slight feathering I noticed on my front tires.
See attachment.
The car actually feels more stable now, but that may be because I only had 500 miles on my new winter tires (Vredestein Quattrac Pro Plus (the Plus is new this season), and now I have 750. Maybe it's a placebo effect, but I'm happy.
