8 cent lowering solution: Has anyone done a write-up?
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: On the beach
2014 Mercedes E63
8 cent lowering solution: Has anyone done a write-up?
I'm looking for pictures of the location of the sensors and maybe for information on the exact size of washers to use.
Thank you,
Oliver
Thank you,
Oliver
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Sydney, Australia
2017 S63 Coupe Iridium Silver
Originally Posted by BlackBear
I'm looking for pictures of the location of the sensors and maybe for information on the exact size of washers to use.
Thank you,
Oliver
Thank you,
Oliver
Bad news: it will cost you 80c not 8c... are you still interested?
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ower+E55+cents
Last edited by Rafal; Jan 19, 2006 at 07:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Why would you want to mess with the suspension like this. Have it done correctly through the cars computer through Steve. Its much better and he can make sure that each sensor is within specs.
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From: San Diego
'05 E55
Originally Posted by MB Fanatic
Why would you want to mess with the suspension like this. Have it done correctly through the cars computer through Steve. Its much better and he can make sure that each sensor is within specs.
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Just ask Steve, he has found cars to be well out of specs and it has taken him quite a while to adjust the settings with DAS to get Airmatic back into specs. Im sorry but I would much rather do something via a computer rather than fool with sensor physically.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by MB Fanatic
Why would you want to mess with the suspension like this. Have it done correctly through the cars computer through Steve. Its much better and he can make sure that each sensor is within specs.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Steve can lower a car and keep it "within MB specs" because he will not lower it beyond what is recommended by MB.
Anytime you lower a car, the alignment will change. The more you lower the car, the more drastic the change. I lowered my car 2", which put my car outside of MB's specs. I'm sure my numbers would not be in spec, whether lowered by Star, links, or washers, as your final numbers are dependent on how low you go.
Had I purchased my car more recently, I would be open to lowering my car via Star, as forum members have only positive things to say. That being said, I am happy with my method of lowering.
Good luck with your search!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by tbone
I took delivery of my car in Dec. 2002. New to this forum, I was unaware of Star Lowering. I lowered my front end by changing the links, the rear end by moving the sensor...3 years and 54,000 miles later, I have not had any problems (**knock on wood**).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Steve can lower a car and keep it "within MB specs" because he will not lower it beyond what is recommended by MB.
Anytime you lower a car, the alignment will change. The more you lower the car, the more drastic the change. I lowered my car 2", which put my car outside of MB's specs. I'm sure my numbers would not be in spec, whether lowered by Star, links, or washers, as your final numbers are dependent on how low you go.
Had I purchased my car more recently, I would be open to lowering my car via Star, as forum members have only positive things to say. That being said, I am happy with my method of lowering.
Good luck with your search!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Steve can lower a car and keep it "within MB specs" because he will not lower it beyond what is recommended by MB.
Anytime you lower a car, the alignment will change. The more you lower the car, the more drastic the change. I lowered my car 2", which put my car outside of MB's specs. I'm sure my numbers would not be in spec, whether lowered by Star, links, or washers, as your final numbers are dependent on how low you go.
Had I purchased my car more recently, I would be open to lowering my car via Star, as forum members have only positive things to say. That being said, I am happy with my method of lowering.
Good luck with your search!
There is a similar thread about this in the S-Class section and one punter who found out the hard way that his cluster and airmatic were extremely annoyed.
Also, dont forget that this is also influencing the operations of auto-levelling on the Bi-xenon system.
On cars with active body control (ABC) there is no such reliable method as the "washer method". In all cases the proper diagnostic software lowering is reliable.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: On the beach
2014 Mercedes E63
Originally Posted by tbone
I took delivery of my car in Dec. 2002. New to this forum, I was unaware of Star Lowering. I lowered my front end by changing the links, the rear end by moving the sensor...3 years and 54,000 miles later, I have not had any problems (**knock on wood**).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Steve can lower a car and keep it "within MB specs" because he will not lower it beyond what is recommended by MB.
Anytime you lower a car, the alignment will change. The more you lower the car, the more drastic the change. I lowered my car 2", which put my car outside of MB's specs. I'm sure my numbers would not be in spec, whether lowered by Star, links, or washers, as your final numbers are dependent on how low you go.
Had I purchased my car more recently, I would be open to lowering my car via Star, as forum members have only positive things to say. That being said, I am happy with my method of lowering.
Good luck with your search!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Steve can lower a car and keep it "within MB specs" because he will not lower it beyond what is recommended by MB.
Anytime you lower a car, the alignment will change. The more you lower the car, the more drastic the change. I lowered my car 2", which put my car outside of MB's specs. I'm sure my numbers would not be in spec, whether lowered by Star, links, or washers, as your final numbers are dependent on how low you go.
Had I purchased my car more recently, I would be open to lowering my car via Star, as forum members have only positive things to say. That being said, I am happy with my method of lowering.
Good luck with your search!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by stevebez
$350 ... ??? guys charging $2500 here in the UK...
Rgds Steve.
Rgds Steve.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by benzmodz
Within spec is defined as the sensor reading and its voltage output to the diagnostic system. This means that your washer augmentged method is not calibrated. You have effectively altered the range without resetting the zero point. Thus your car electronics store this as an error. Come warranty time all non-calibrated cars with errors stored in memory are not treated the same as customers who had proper lowering and calibration done.
There is a similar thread about this in the S-Class section and one punter who found out the hard way that his cluster and airmatic were extremely annoyed.
Also, dont forget that this is also influencing the operations of auto-levelling on the Bi-xenon system.
On cars with active body control (ABC) there is no such reliable method as the "washer method". In all cases the proper diagnostic software lowering is reliable.
There is a similar thread about this in the S-Class section and one punter who found out the hard way that his cluster and airmatic were extremely annoyed.
Also, dont forget that this is also influencing the operations of auto-levelling on the Bi-xenon system.
On cars with active body control (ABC) there is no such reliable method as the "washer method". In all cases the proper diagnostic software lowering is reliable.
As my warranty period is already over, I don't see the need to re-lower my car via STAR.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by BlackBear
How does the link lowering method work? Where are these links located in the suspension? Where do I get links?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 183
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From: On the beach
2014 Mercedes E63
Originally Posted by tbone
You replace 2 links (one on each side) with a longer link. This tricks the car into thinking the car is sitting higher than it actually is, which will lower your car.
Where does the link sit? Is it one per wheel, or just one per side of the car?
Does anyone know the part #?
Thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
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Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by newton22
You'd think Benz owners could afford to professionally lower their cars for ~$350.
Now were talking 80 cents.
Just kidding.
Now were talking 80 cents.
Just kidding.
People buy a 90k amg car and cant find the money to lower it the "right way" vs the way that runs a risk of blowing a 1k shock? It has been discusssed a zillion times in many forums here at mbworld.org but people still want to save the 250-300 bucks and go for the washer method.
Some people say that if the car brakes they will remove the washers but trouble is the car already stored the error code as benzmod said and you are stuck explaining to the tech and mb why your car was sitting to low for so long.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by BlackBear
Where does the link sit? Is it one per wheel, or just one per side of the car?
Does anyone know the part #?
Thanks.
Does anyone know the part #?
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
u may be kidding but im not
People buy a 90k amg car and cant find the money to lower it the "right way" vs the way that runs a risk of blowing a 1k shock? It has been discusssed a zillion times in many forums here at mbworld.org but people still want to save the 250-300 bucks and go for the washer method.
Some people say that if the car brakes they will remove the washers but trouble is the car already stored the error code as benzmod said and you are stuck explaining to the tech and mb why your car was sitting to low for so long.
People buy a 90k amg car and cant find the money to lower it the "right way" vs the way that runs a risk of blowing a 1k shock? It has been discusssed a zillion times in many forums here at mbworld.org but people still want to save the 250-300 bucks and go for the washer method.
Some people say that if the car brakes they will remove the washers but trouble is the car already stored the error code as benzmod said and you are stuck explaining to the tech and mb why your car was sitting to low for so long.
BlackBear: This is something you should consider. If I had known about lowering via STAR when I lowered my car 3 years ago, I would have gone that route! But between lowering the car via washers or links, I would choose the links. Washers won't lower your car as much, and I would be afraid of the nut "falling off", since it sits at the end of the bolt.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: On the beach
2014 Mercedes E63
Originally Posted by tbone
There is 1 link per front wheel. The rear was lowered by moving the sensor. I forget where the links can be purchased. Mine were custom made.
Thank you.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
2007 S65, 2005 Nissan Armada
Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
u may be kidding but im not
People buy a 90k amg car and cant find the money to lower it the "right way" vs the way that runs a risk of blowing a 1k shock? It has been discusssed a zillion times in many forums here at mbworld.org but people still want to save the 250-300 bucks and go for the washer method.
Some people say that if the car brakes they will remove the washers but trouble is the car already stored the error code as benzmod said and you are stuck explaining to the tech and mb why your car was sitting to low for so long.
People buy a 90k amg car and cant find the money to lower it the "right way" vs the way that runs a risk of blowing a 1k shock? It has been discusssed a zillion times in many forums here at mbworld.org but people still want to save the 250-300 bucks and go for the washer method.
Some people say that if the car brakes they will remove the washers but trouble is the car already stored the error code as benzmod said and you are stuck explaining to the tech and mb why your car was sitting to low for so long.
Last edited by pas; Jan 20, 2006 at 02:41 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by pas
I would like to have my car lowered via Star Diag but the dealers here won't do it and Steve is not easy to get in front of and won't do lowering alone you have to purchase some other modifications as well. I think if it was readily accessible almost everyone would be happy to spend a few hundred to do it via Star Diag. I think the real issue is access to the equipment, washers are quick and easy you don't need to wait 6 months for someone to come to your area if they show up at all. My car is still stock aside from wheels.
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2003 E55
In the land of the free and cheap, anything is available. Try living outside the centre of the universe, Australia, and these options aren't available.
I must say I have used the washers (I dont know what the 'links' referred to are - just used washers) and my car has been serviced since - no comments from the dealer.
I cannot understand why there would be any error codes. By mechanically altering the angles of the sensors, the system should think its adjusting the body height to keep everything IN spec. I supose if you want radical lowering that could be a problem.
As an example, if you park the car on uneven ground frequently, I would think the uneven weight distribution would result in the car altering the relative ride height for each wheel - does that record an error code?
To each his own.
I must say I have used the washers (I dont know what the 'links' referred to are - just used washers) and my car has been serviced since - no comments from the dealer.
I cannot understand why there would be any error codes. By mechanically altering the angles of the sensors, the system should think its adjusting the body height to keep everything IN spec. I supose if you want radical lowering that could be a problem.
As an example, if you park the car on uneven ground frequently, I would think the uneven weight distribution would result in the car altering the relative ride height for each wheel - does that record an error code?
To each his own.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 215
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From: Sydney, Australia
2012 C63 Coupe Iridium Silver
OzE55 you're exactly right.
What if you were constantly carrying heavy loads in ur car? The car isnt going to store an error. Washers move the sensor up, just as a bump in the road would move it up. There is no way the sensor can tell it is doing something wrong.
Rafal's E55 has since been to the dealer a number of times to change alignments etc, and they have no problems with the way the suspension has been lowered AND there are definately no errors coming through the system.
What if you were constantly carrying heavy loads in ur car? The car isnt going to store an error. Washers move the sensor up, just as a bump in the road would move it up. There is no way the sensor can tell it is doing something wrong.
Rafal's E55 has since been to the dealer a number of times to change alignments etc, and they have no problems with the way the suspension has been lowered AND there are definately no errors coming through the system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by tommaey
OzE55 you're exactly right.
What if you were constantly carrying heavy loads in ur car? The car isnt going to store an error. Washers move the sensor up, just as a bump in the road would move it up. There is no way the sensor can tell it is doing something wrong.
Rafal's E55 has since been to the dealer a number of times to change alignments etc, and they have no problems with the way the suspension has been lowered AND there are definately no errors coming through the system.
What if you were constantly carrying heavy loads in ur car? The car isnt going to store an error. Washers move the sensor up, just as a bump in the road would move it up. There is no way the sensor can tell it is doing something wrong.
Rafal's E55 has since been to the dealer a number of times to change alignments etc, and they have no problems with the way the suspension has been lowered AND there are definately no errors coming through the system.
I think there is more to this than "whatever works is good".
