Alignment of the Castor Camber and Toe.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
2003 S430, 2014 E350
Alignment of the Castor Camber and Toe.
Hi all, here is my story and some questions...
I got my 4 front lower control arms replaced by this good mechanic of mines. Job was done well, the rattling sound is now gone. But the mechanic warned me that my alignment is off, and that I should go get one. Great! I still have my warranty from my last 4 wheel alignment. I went to get the car aligned and they told me that the castor could not be adjusted because its is at the maximum. Well so my first thought was the mechanic and how he did not install something properly. I went back to my mechanic and told him exactly what the alignment guys said. What my mechanic told me was, the castor and camber cannot be adjusted by bolts. nuts, and screws. "*****" Has to be replaced in order to change them. However, my alignment guys said they changed everything including the castor, but it hit the maximum limit.
Now I have two people blaming each other and I have no idea who is right. So here I am, reaching out to MBWorld for some help
Who do you think is right? I was charged $100 3 months ago to have my alignment done, it came with a 1 year warranty. My mechanic worked at Mercedes as their trained mechanics for 20 years before opening his shop.
I got my 4 front lower control arms replaced by this good mechanic of mines. Job was done well, the rattling sound is now gone. But the mechanic warned me that my alignment is off, and that I should go get one. Great! I still have my warranty from my last 4 wheel alignment. I went to get the car aligned and they told me that the castor could not be adjusted because its is at the maximum. Well so my first thought was the mechanic and how he did not install something properly. I went back to my mechanic and told him exactly what the alignment guys said. What my mechanic told me was, the castor and camber cannot be adjusted by bolts. nuts, and screws. "*****" Has to be replaced in order to change them. However, my alignment guys said they changed everything including the castor, but it hit the maximum limit.
Now I have two people blaming each other and I have no idea who is right. So here I am, reaching out to MBWorld for some help
Who do you think is right? I was charged $100 3 months ago to have my alignment done, it came with a 1 year warranty. My mechanic worked at Mercedes as their trained mechanics for 20 years before opening his shop.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 178
Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
Hi all, here is my story and some questions...
I got my 4 front lower control arms replaced by this good mechanic of mines. Job was done well, the rattling sound is now gone. But the mechanic warned me that my alignment is off, and that I should go get one. Great! I still have my warranty from my last 4 wheel alignment. I went to get the car aligned and they told me that the castor could not be adjusted because its is at the maximum. Well so my first thought was the mechanic and how he did not install something properly. I went back to my mechanic and told him exactly what the alignment guys said. What my mechanic told me was, the castor and camber cannot be adjusted by bolts. nuts, and screws. "*****" Has to be replaced in order to change them. However, my alignment guys said they changed everything including the castor, but it hit the maximum limit.
Now I have two people blaming each other and I have no idea who is right. So here I am, reaching out to MBWorld for some help
Who do you think is right? I was charged $100 3 months ago to have my alignment done, it came with a 1 year warranty. My mechanic worked at Mercedes as their trained mechanics for 20 years before opening his shop.
I got my 4 front lower control arms replaced by this good mechanic of mines. Job was done well, the rattling sound is now gone. But the mechanic warned me that my alignment is off, and that I should go get one. Great! I still have my warranty from my last 4 wheel alignment. I went to get the car aligned and they told me that the castor could not be adjusted because its is at the maximum. Well so my first thought was the mechanic and how he did not install something properly. I went back to my mechanic and told him exactly what the alignment guys said. What my mechanic told me was, the castor and camber cannot be adjusted by bolts. nuts, and screws. "*****" Has to be replaced in order to change them. However, my alignment guys said they changed everything including the castor, but it hit the maximum limit.
Now I have two people blaming each other and I have no idea who is right. So here I am, reaching out to MBWorld for some help
Who do you think is right? I was charged $100 3 months ago to have my alignment done, it came with a 1 year warranty. My mechanic worked at Mercedes as their trained mechanics for 20 years before opening his shop.
CAMBER – Allows to actually change the tire contact angle, resolving costly, premature edge tire wear/ improving traction and understeer or oversteer.
CASTER – 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.
AT K-MAC WE SAW THE NEED TO DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND REINSTATE FROM THE EARLY 90’S PRECISELY ADJUSTABLE (SINGLE WRENCH, ON CAR) FRONT CAMBER AND CASTER AND REAR CAMBER (WITH EXTRA TOE) ADJUSTABLE BUSHING KITS.
Allowing to return vehicle to factory specs to accurately resolve steering pull or costly premature edge tire wear. The result of altering height, load carrying, curb knock damage or fitting wide profile/wheels. Added bonus is these 4 front and rear K-MAC adjustable bushings also replace the highest wearing suspension bushings at the same time and have twice the load bearing area. The front bushes are 2 axis self aligning and are designed to also improve brake and steering response.
FOR THE FRONT (ONLY) - There are available offset Camber and Caster bolts, but these are inaccurate (one only position) bolts offering a minimal .3 of one degree (1/8”/ 3mm) and require labour intensive disassembly each time. While the K-MAC unique patented design provides precise/ongoing adjustment – on car, accurately (under load) direct on alignment rack.
For the W220 they provide up to 4 times the adjustment range of these one only position offset bolts.
IT MEANS YOU FIX IT RIGHT THE 1ST TIME - no more ongoing visits to dealers or alignment shops or constantly changing tire brands because of lack of full/precise adjustment capability.
FOR THE REAR – you can purchase adjustable Camber rods but these are difficult to access and to reduce inner edge tire wear unlike K-MAC lower arm bushings – these rods need to adjust top of tire outwards which reduces all important clearance to outer fender. With K-MAC kits they also include extra Toe adjustment which is essential to compensate for this new rear Camber facility!
W220 K-MAC Front Camber and Caster kit #502516K $480
W220 K-MAC Rear Camber (and extra Toe) #502226K $480
Current promotion for MB World members USA/Canada delivery - $30 one kit or $40 front and rear.
See link for latest 2015 Catalog (World’s largest range AUDI to Volvo)
