Lower your E55 by 20mm/ 0.8" for 80 cents!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
Just go to the first page and look at the pics. Its very self explanatory. Just make sure u add a little blue loctite. The links doesn't have any load on it so make sure the nut is tighten enough. The back u just use a long screwdriver and bend the bracket just a little. But just look at the pics and it will guide u through.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 89
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From: Vancouver, BC
W211 E55
after doing this mod, do I need to get a front alignment? If so, doesn't the alignment of our cars go wonkey every time the airmatic suspension self adjusts the height?
I lowered my front with 4mm of washers and it actually seems like it raised the rear a bit.
I lowered my front with 4mm of washers and it actually seems like it raised the rear a bit.
Last edited by ShyGuy; Jun 15, 2010 at 03:02 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 89
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From: Vancouver, BC
W211 E55
so is an alignment absolutely necessary? I notice that I rub my front fender whenever I'm turning into a inclined ramp and it has actually bulged out my fender. My car isn't even that low compared to some of the others here.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
After 75mph the car goes into its lowest ride height setting. it doesnot progressively lower as the speed increases. this ride height can be replicated with the STAR DAS while doing a alignment job at the dealership.
Last edited by shardul; Jun 22, 2010 at 01:37 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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c280
Some of you guys may have seen the thread in 2003 (well before my time) but I just came across a fantastic and idiot-proof method for lowering our E55 "high front / low rear" factory suspension for 80cents and 20 minutes of your time. It beats the $2000 electronic lowering kits from every tuner in the world!
Originally done by guys like EPower and tbone (E500 from E-Class Forum) ...thanks a lot fellows!
For those of you who would rather keep the 2 grand for two sets of new tires or an "inexpensive" diamond ring for your lady, here goes: lift the front end with a jack to expose the aluminum suspension and air spring (no need to remove the wheel). You will see a double lever sensor attached to a metal bracket at the top. Undo the top 10mm nut and remove the small grey bracket with the articulated sensor still attached by a ball-joint. Place 5 to 6mm / 1/4 " worth of small washers under the bracket and re-fit in the reverse order. There isn't enough thread to place any more washers or the nut will not thighten up and you might strip it. Those 6mm will translate into 20 mm drop at the front wheels when you turn on the engine!
In essence, you are fooling the Airmatic DC into believing that the car is sitting 20 mm too high and it will lower itself by the self leveling suspension and stay lowered for as long as the washers are in place. This is a completely reverseable mod. I read the 2002/2003 thread last night, could not believe my eyes and did the job first thing this morning. I now have a totally balanced front and back with exactly identical clearence around all four weels. Handling and turn in has improved as the heavy front of the car dropped the centre of gravity by 20mm, but the ride comfort is unchanged. Once inside, you will immediately notice the new lower front aspect of the car and reach for the seat adjustment to stop "leaning forward".
You can also raise the car by the usual "Raise" button and, stangely enough, it goes up to within 10 mm (rather than -20mm) of it's previous "SUV" setting, so it finds another 10mm somewhere.
This is by far my best mod yet!
The best things in life are free or no more than 80cents!
Originally done by guys like EPower and tbone (E500 from E-Class Forum) ...thanks a lot fellows!
For those of you who would rather keep the 2 grand for two sets of new tires or an "inexpensive" diamond ring for your lady, here goes: lift the front end with a jack to expose the aluminum suspension and air spring (no need to remove the wheel). You will see a double lever sensor attached to a metal bracket at the top. Undo the top 10mm nut and remove the small grey bracket with the articulated sensor still attached by a ball-joint. Place 5 to 6mm / 1/4 " worth of small washers under the bracket and re-fit in the reverse order. There isn't enough thread to place any more washers or the nut will not thighten up and you might strip it. Those 6mm will translate into 20 mm drop at the front wheels when you turn on the engine!
In essence, you are fooling the Airmatic DC into believing that the car is sitting 20 mm too high and it will lower itself by the self leveling suspension and stay lowered for as long as the washers are in place. This is a completely reverseable mod. I read the 2002/2003 thread last night, could not believe my eyes and did the job first thing this morning. I now have a totally balanced front and back with exactly identical clearence around all four weels. Handling and turn in has improved as the heavy front of the car dropped the centre of gravity by 20mm, but the ride comfort is unchanged. Once inside, you will immediately notice the new lower front aspect of the car and reach for the seat adjustment to stop "leaning forward".
You can also raise the car by the usual "Raise" button and, stangely enough, it goes up to within 10 mm (rather than -20mm) of it's previous "SUV" setting, so it finds another 10mm somewhere.
This is by far my best mod yet!
The best things in life are free or no more than 80cents!
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Former Vendor of MBWorld
iTrader: (1)
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12,139
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
when you do this mod it is easy to flip the pivot arm sensor in the other direction while putting it back together. make sure it is in the right direction.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
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c280
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: ChiTown
e46 m3, w211 e55
I just did washers as an initial step. It dropped the front pretty significantly. I used some thread locker to ensure nut stays on.
Did a quick write up with detailed pics here:
http://www.amgpost.com/showthread.ph...s)&p=16#post16
Did a quick write up with detailed pics here:
http://www.amgpost.com/showthread.ph...s)&p=16#post16
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 149
Likes: 9
From: saratoga NY
E63s-summer/GLE63s-winter
Just did this. I'm already STAR lowered but it just didn't get very low. My tech and I followed the step by step and got it as low as it seemed like STAR would let us and it was almost a two finger gap.
Of course on the first try I screwed up both the front and rear.
Rear- pried the bracket towards the front/ground and it went higher. Easy fix and actually got it back and to where I wanted it by hand. <1 finger gap now
Front- Stacked 3mm of washers on each side and started the car. "car too low" in red. Upon inspection I had one arm flipped the wrong way but I had no idea which one. LOL. Got it figured out and we're at <1 finger gap now.
Of course on the first try I screwed up both the front and rear.
Rear- pried the bracket towards the front/ground and it went higher. Easy fix and actually got it back and to where I wanted it by hand. <1 finger gap now
Front- Stacked 3mm of washers on each side and started the car. "car too low" in red. Upon inspection I had one arm flipped the wrong way but I had no idea which one. LOL. Got it figured out and we're at <1 finger gap now.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
From: So Cal
M3, E55, SL55
I have heard horror stories about washer lowering on airmatics. The washer doesnt allow the bolt to lock on and in the end the bolt comes off and your suspension drops to the ground. My buddy did this and he heard about this issue and made the change just in time. The bolt was loose and it if came off the entire assembly would have failed. This type of lowering have been around for a while and there is a reason why its not so popular.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 756
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From: Texas
e55 w/LET TUNE Drinks: vodka STRAIGHT Wheels: 19" HRE 547r Mods:FF headers ASP Pulley
Just did this. I'm already STAR lowered but it just didn't get very low. My tech and I followed the step by step and got it as low as it seemed like STAR would let us and it was almost a two finger gap.
Of course on the first try I screwed up both the front and rear.
Rear- pried the bracket towards the front/ground and it went higher. Easy fix and actually got it back and to where I wanted it by hand. <1 finger gap now
Front- Stacked 3mm of washers on each side and started the car. "car too low" in red. Upon inspection I had one arm flipped the wrong way but I had no idea which one. LOL. Got it figured out and we're at <1 finger gap now.
Of course on the first try I screwed up both the front and rear.
Rear- pried the bracket towards the front/ground and it went higher. Easy fix and actually got it back and to where I wanted it by hand. <1 finger gap now
Front- Stacked 3mm of washers on each side and started the car. "car too low" in red. Upon inspection I had one arm flipped the wrong way but I had no idea which one. LOL. Got it figured out and we're at <1 finger gap now.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
2004 E55, 2011 G55, 2007 CLK63, 2012 E63, 2019 G63
I just did washers as an initial step. It dropped the front pretty significantly. I used some thread locker to ensure nut stays on.
Did a quick write up with detailed pics here:
http://www.amgpost.com/showthread.ph...s)&p=16#post16
Did a quick write up with detailed pics here:
http://www.amgpost.com/showthread.ph...s)&p=16#post16
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: ChiTown
e46 m3, w211 e55
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: aTx
2006 C230SS, 2007 e63, 2009 gl450, 2003 Ducati 749
Can anyone explain the back a little more? I was just under there and could not bend the bracket for nothing, not to mention that there is no space under there. I am assuming that people are bending the bracket that has the sensor on it correct?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
2004 E55, 2011 G55, 2007 CLK63, 2012 E63, 2019 G63
I got up under there last night and found the rear. It's on the driver's side, just next to the diff heatsink. I took a photo of where it's bolted up.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I then tried to take some video of me bending it with a screw driver. This would be MUCH easier on a lift. I was not able to make any progress on it, and feared forcing it and breaking it. Fu_K.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I then tried to take some video of me bending it with a screw driver. This would be MUCH easier on a lift. I was not able to make any progress on it, and feared forcing it and breaking it. Fu_K.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
2004 E55, 2011 G55, 2007 CLK63, 2012 E63, 2019 G63
Here's a video I shot under there last night. I gave up after a few tries.
http://youtu.be/PFoQevCkc3s
http://youtu.be/PFoQevCkc3s
Last edited by ///Molloy; Aug 20, 2012 at 05:52 PM. Reason: typo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,429
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From: Cypress, TX
'06 E55, '15 Jeep SRT8, '94 Mustang GT
I drilled/slotted the holes on mine. Let me tell you, that is some thick metal. A sharp grinder bit took longer than I thought it would. If you go this route, be careful not to slot the holes too much. A little goes a long way.
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 169
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From: Houston
E55(gone), Tesla Model S P90DL, MB GL 450
I did this tonight as I was sick of the car looking so high. When it's raised, it actually looks/resembles a C-class in my opinion....you know, the C230 sport or the like.
The rear is noticeable, but the front is barely even lowered. I'm going to try having Stardul lower it via Star now.
Anyways, I hope no one minds me using their pic, but I bent the bracket back. I used a large wrench and only bent it 3-5mm's.
The pic/laying directly underneath the car with the 2 bolts facing the ground. Re-drilling the holes essentially moves it back. I just bent it slightly back by placing the wrench where the red circle is and pushing it back in the direction of the red arrow/towards the rear of the car...as illustrated here:
The rear is noticeable, but the front is barely even lowered. I'm going to try having Stardul lower it via Star now.
Anyways, I hope no one minds me using their pic, but I bent the bracket back. I used a large wrench and only bent it 3-5mm's.
The pic/laying directly underneath the car with the 2 bolts facing the ground. Re-drilling the holes essentially moves it back. I just bent it slightly back by placing the wrench where the red circle is and pushing it back in the direction of the red arrow/towards the rear of the car...as illustrated here:
Last edited by Zishan; Aug 22, 2012 at 01:03 AM.
