Using washers to drop the car.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Ok, once again this threads coming to the top.
Firstly, a big thanks to fkong777 for starting this thread, a cheap way of lowering that does exactly the same as the expensive stuff but for literally a fraction of the cost . . . . . . a man of after my own heart!
But im wanting to try this on my 2004 S55, with ABC.
This may sound rather silly, but since i dont know my way round the car yet (only had it a couple of weeks), can some one please tell me where the front adjustable links are? Are they at the top of the wheel arch or towards the bottom of the strut?
Once i know what im looking at il be able to do this quite easily.
Not knocking our man who started the thread but a few basic pictures of the process would have done wonders.
Thanks anyway.
Firstly, a big thanks to fkong777 for starting this thread, a cheap way of lowering that does exactly the same as the expensive stuff but for literally a fraction of the cost . . . . . . a man of after my own heart!
But im wanting to try this on my 2004 S55, with ABC.
This may sound rather silly, but since i dont know my way round the car yet (only had it a couple of weeks), can some one please tell me where the front adjustable links are? Are they at the top of the wheel arch or towards the bottom of the strut?
Once i know what im looking at il be able to do this quite easily.
Not knocking our man who started the thread but a few basic pictures of the process would have done wonders.
Thanks anyway.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
2001 S430
washer update - no grinding needed
sup gang, resurrecting this thread with an update on lowering car.
1. locate original ride height sensor arm / ball joint
2. longer screws with nuts and alot of washers.
3. L bracket*
pictures -
dont forget to add washers (original method)
happy screwing!! enjoy!
1. locate original ride height sensor arm / ball joint
2. longer screws with nuts and alot of washers.
3. L bracket*
pictures -
dont forget to add washers (original method)
happy screwing!! enjoy!
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
2004 S55 AMG with ABC.
Ok, iv found the ride height sensors and i know how to do the fronts, no probs.
The only problem is that my car has 2 sensors at the back aswell, one on each side, how do i adjust these, with washers aswell? If so where do i place the washers on them?
All along this thread it seemed like there would be something in the middle of the car at the back that needed to be moved a few notches, but now it turns out mines got individual sensors on each corner.
Ok, iv found the ride height sensors and i know how to do the fronts, no probs.
The only problem is that my car has 2 sensors at the back aswell, one on each side, how do i adjust these, with washers aswell? If so where do i place the washers on them?
All along this thread it seemed like there would be something in the middle of the car at the back that needed to be moved a few notches, but now it turns out mines got individual sensors on each corner.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
2001 S430
this for the cheap folks or perhaps the curious one, i took these pics as a tutorial for a buddy who cant understand in words, yes its dangerous and adding more screws and nuts extends the risk of failing (more failure points) so i suggest people here to use this method at your own risk!!
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
2001 S430
2004 S55 AMG with ABC.
Ok, iv found the ride height sensors and i know how to do the fronts, no probs.
The only problem is that my car has 2 sensors at the back aswell, one on each side, how do i adjust these, with washers aswell? If so where do i place the washers on them?
All along this thread it seemed like there would be something in the middle of the car at the back that needed to be moved a few notches, but now it turns out mines got individual sensors on each corner.
Ok, iv found the ride height sensors and i know how to do the fronts, no probs.
The only problem is that my car has 2 sensors at the back aswell, one on each side, how do i adjust these, with washers aswell? If so where do i place the washers on them?
All along this thread it seemed like there would be something in the middle of the car at the back that needed to be moved a few notches, but now it turns out mines got individual sensors on each corner.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 26
From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
OP here,
Update. Last pictures of the car. Traded for a GL450
no issue with shocks. never failed.
Wheels were minutes from coming off the car.
for the ones advocating links. the washer and bracket are not unsafe. It is not a stress link. it is merely for angling the sensor in reference to height.
Update. Last pictures of the car. Traded for a GL450
no issue with shocks. never failed.
Wheels were minutes from coming off the car.
for the ones advocating links. the washer and bracket are not unsafe. It is not a stress link. it is merely for angling the sensor in reference to height.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
W220
OP here,
Update. Last pictures of the car. Traded for a GL450
no issue with shocks. never failed.
Wheels were minutes from coming off the car.
for the ones advocating links. the washer and bracket are not unsafe. It is not a stress link. it is merely for angling the sensor in reference to height.
Update. Last pictures of the car. Traded for a GL450
no issue with shocks. never failed.
Wheels were minutes from coming off the car.
for the ones advocating links. the washer and bracket are not unsafe. It is not a stress link. it is merely for angling the sensor in reference to height.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 26
From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
Yes they are MRR HR3 20x8.5 and 20x9.5
It took some work to get the 9.5 on the rear.
Need a 10mm spacer the clear the rear brake.
also have to remove some material where the bumper and rear quarter meets.
the look is worth it tho. the rear concave more than the front.
It took some work to get the 9.5 on the rear.
Need a 10mm spacer the clear the rear brake.
also have to remove some material where the bumper and rear quarter meets.
the look is worth it tho. the rear concave more than the front.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach,FL
2000 S430, 2000 S500 Both Brilliant Silver!
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...g-aware-2.html
The OP of the linked thread had a false alarm, i put it here to give more background to this thread as it seems to be the inspiration for OP of this current thread.
The OP of the linked thread had a false alarm, i put it here to give more background to this thread as it seems to be the inspiration for OP of this current thread.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach,FL
2000 S430, 2000 S500 Both Brilliant Silver!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach,FL
2000 S430, 2000 S500 Both Brilliant Silver!
Just played with the washer lowering method, i understand it now but I cant get the 10mm nut off the rod, the ball joint keeps spinning in the other end of the rod.
I used a long nose pliers to grip and hold the ball joint while loosening the nut but it just spins perpetually.
What exactly did u guys use on this? Im so close but yet so far..
I used a long nose pliers to grip and hold the ball joint while loosening the nut but it just spins perpetually.
What exactly did u guys use on this? Im so close but yet so far..
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
Just played with the washer lowering method, i understand it now but I cant get the 10mm nut off the rod, the ball joint keeps spinning in the other end of the rod.
I used a long nose pliers to grip and hold the ball joint while loosening the nut but it just spins perpetually.
What exactly did u guys use on this? Im so close but yet so far..
I used a long nose pliers to grip and hold the ball joint while loosening the nut but it just spins perpetually.
What exactly did u guys use on this? Im so close but yet so far..
I used a small spanner (wrench) that came with my kid's electric scooter. It is made out of stamped steel and cut out in wrench shape. I suppose an inexpensive bicycle tool would work too. From memory I believe the opening is 10mm.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach,FL
2000 S430, 2000 S500 Both Brilliant Silver!
So I just noticed that my passenger rear is higher than the driver side rear, and my ride height sensor arm adjustment thingy is rusty.
Id like to plug it out, spray it with electronic cleaner and plug it back in.
Plugging out the sensor w/o adjusting the arm any clicks will that cause the rear struts to collapse? Im apprehensive to touch it.
Worse case ill have to buy a new rear adjuster arm, if i can wd40 the rusty arm and make it like new then ill be happy.
Id like to plug it out, spray it with electronic cleaner and plug it back in.
Plugging out the sensor w/o adjusting the arm any clicks will that cause the rear struts to collapse? Im apprehensive to touch it.
Worse case ill have to buy a new rear adjuster arm, if i can wd40 the rusty arm and make it like new then ill be happy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
There is only one ride height sensor on the rear, so that shouldn't be the reason that the right rear is higher than the left rear.
Each front strut has a ride height sensor.
The ride height of each corner is individually adjustable using DAS (the STAR system).
Each front strut has a ride height sensor.
The ride height of each corner is individually adjustable using DAS (the STAR system).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Is the ride height sensor attached to the sway bar?
ABC cars don't have sway bars, so they have two rear sensors.
Nick
