W163 - Torsion Bar Settings (L/R)
12-26-2017, 04:54 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
W163 - Torsion Bar Settings (L/R)
Hi Forum,
I have recently noticed that my front left sits a bit lower than front right, its probably been like that since i bought the car last summer, but just noticed and decided to measure it.
I made sure tires were the same pressure, and the ground was flat where I parked. I measured from the center of the wheel on the ground and up to where the fender starts. On the front left I got 79.5 cm, and on the right, i measured 80.5, which confirmed what I was worried about. So, in essence, the car is tilted towards the left front. What could cause this? First, i thought it was the torsion bar settings, but i measured using the little measuring hole under the car and both sides i have a torsion bar setting of 35 mm.
Question - I think the torsion bar has a range of 25-45 mm so i could adjust it there, but is it common that the two sides (left and right) have/should have different torsion bar settings? I don't mind changing this here to adjust ride height (raising it on the left side) but wanted to make its ok to have different torsion settings? I inspected the springs/shocks, and they look fine to me. I measured the back wheels the same way and they are perfectly aligned.
Thoughts/comments would be much appreciated.
I have recently noticed that my front left sits a bit lower than front right, its probably been like that since i bought the car last summer, but just noticed and decided to measure it.
I made sure tires were the same pressure, and the ground was flat where I parked. I measured from the center of the wheel on the ground and up to where the fender starts. On the front left I got 79.5 cm, and on the right, i measured 80.5, which confirmed what I was worried about. So, in essence, the car is tilted towards the left front. What could cause this? First, i thought it was the torsion bar settings, but i measured using the little measuring hole under the car and both sides i have a torsion bar setting of 35 mm.
Question - I think the torsion bar has a range of 25-45 mm so i could adjust it there, but is it common that the two sides (left and right) have/should have different torsion bar settings? I don't mind changing this here to adjust ride height (raising it on the left side) but wanted to make its ok to have different torsion settings? I inspected the springs/shocks, and they look fine to me. I measured the back wheels the same way and they are perfectly aligned.
Thoughts/comments would be much appreciated.
12-27-2017, 07:25 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
The below PDF was designed for a veh. being on an alignment rack. The work around, in your case, would be to raise the L/F wheel off the ground using the jacking point on that side so there is no tension on the spring.
Turn the adjusting bolt clockwise to raise the height. Lower veh. and check height.
Turn the adjusting bolt clockwise to raise the height. Lower veh. and check height.
12-27-2017, 05:57 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
The below PDF was designed for a veh. being on an alignment rack. The work around, in your case, would be to raise the L/F wheel off the ground using the jacking point on that side so there is no tension on the spring.
Turn the adjusting bolt clockwise to raise the height. Lower veh. and check height.
Turn the adjusting bolt clockwise to raise the height. Lower veh. and check height.
12-27-2017, 06:27 PM
#4
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from what i know its 35mm if you put something thin in to the little round hole right by the bolt where you adjust. did mine, was very easy and fast when i replaced my bushings.
12-27-2017, 06:30 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Correct, i measured 35 mm too on both sides. But i need to raise it on the driver side, so maybe will try 40 mm on that side to make the car level. My problem as you see above was that both measurement holes show 35 mm but the car is slightly slanted to the front left with 1 cm.
12-27-2017, 06:39 PM
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Correct, i measured 35 mm too on both sides. But i need to raise it on the driver side, so maybe will try 40 mm on that side to make the car level. My problem as you see above was that both measurement holes show 35 mm but the car is slightly slanted to the front left with 1 cm.
12-27-2017, 06:42 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
I just picked up the bushings from Mercedes here and was planning to do that too.
But I see what you mean, perhaps one of the bushings are broken/cracked and that would cause the car to slant to one side? If that is what you meant, that makes very much sense actually!!. Better check and replace the white bushings first. One question, when you replaced your bushings, did you also replace the metal brackets? I didn't pick those up from MB, just have the two white bushings here. Not the big bracket that holds it all together, but there is a small metal plate between it and the frame i think.
But I see what you mean, perhaps one of the bushings are broken/cracked and that would cause the car to slant to one side? If that is what you meant, that makes very much sense actually!!. Better check and replace the white bushings first. One question, when you replaced your bushings, did you also replace the metal brackets? I didn't pick those up from MB, just have the two white bushings here. Not the big bracket that holds it all together, but there is a small metal plate between it and the frame i think.
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12-27-2017, 06:57 PM
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I just picked up the bushings from Mercedes here and was planning to do that too.
But I see what you mean, perhaps one of the bushings are broken/cracked and that would cause the car to slant to one side? If that is what you meant, that makes very much sense actually!!. Better check and replace the white bushings first. One question, when you replaced your bushings, did you also replace the metal brackets? I didn't pick those up from MB, just have the two white bushings here. Not the big bracket that holds it all together, but there is a small metal plate between it and the frame i think.
But I see what you mean, perhaps one of the bushings are broken/cracked and that would cause the car to slant to one side? If that is what you meant, that makes very much sense actually!!. Better check and replace the white bushings first. One question, when you replaced your bushings, did you also replace the metal brackets? I didn't pick those up from MB, just have the two white bushings here. Not the big bracket that holds it all together, but there is a small metal plate between it and the frame i think.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Torsion-Bar-Mount-Bearing-Support-Kit-Set-of-2-Pads-163-323-02-20/291873382097?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid =p2060353.m1438.l2649
Last edited by IgorE350; 12-27-2017 at 07:55 PM.
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moemoe (12-27-2017)
03-13-2018, 09:52 PM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Just wanted to add to thread here that i fixed it, basically followed this video
The bushing on the driver side was cracked so the torsion bar was resting directly on the metal bracket, hence that side was lower than the passenger side. Once the new plastic bushings were installed, the ride high is now the same on both sides. I did use a steel brush to take off some rust, then rust painted it, and put tons of greese in that plastic cup.
The bushing on the driver side was cracked so the torsion bar was resting directly on the metal bracket, hence that side was lower than the passenger side. Once the new plastic bushings were installed, the ride high is now the same on both sides. I did use a steel brush to take off some rust, then rust painted it, and put tons of greese in that plastic cup.
03-13-2018, 10:33 PM
#10
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The best thing you can do to your ML and very cheap and fun to do. Worth the time and the $$ I did mine 35mm both sides and i have no complaints, but im 170lb. but if someone is heavy set maybe it would help to make few extra turns.
