psk145

So after my tire separation ordeal, I decided to look into alignments.

One shop I went to said that I would need some new bolts (4) to be able to fully adjust it. Cost of that was $325. Otherwise, just an alignment is $90.

What do you guys think? Do I need those bolts? Or is he giving me a load of BS?

jangy

BS, somewhat. i have the MB crashbolts (which are less aggressive as some). The best you get out of them is a degree or so, max. Will it elp? I dunno on tire wear, but mine isn't even close where it is now. I like it low, but it rides on the sidewall. We need arms, fool!!

There is an old school place here that can do it, but the tried to charge Ling $800!!

tthoang1

I had my alignment done immediately after I put on 20"chers. They told me that I needed the bolts if I wanted to go with a more agressive street camber. I didn't. No rubbing or uneven wear on my tires to date. No ELM on my car. I think it cost me $150.

sdsilverm3

Charles, don't worry too much about the camber. Get the toe corrected. Camber only causes so much of the inner tire wear when it is toe-out that accelerates the tire wear on the inner portion of the tire.

If you want some correction, use the crash bolts to get it as close to stock as possible but you'll never to back to stock with them. Go to an alignment shop that specializes in lowered cars and they should be able to dial your car in with settings that will still handle decent but minimize tire wear.

BTW Charles, can you post up your current specs if the alignment shop took measurements?

tbone

^ Agreed. Improper toe will kill your tires much faster than negative camber.
Like Jangy said, I initially had crash bolts installed, but that didn't move it enough. I then went to an old-school alignment shop (no Hunter machine) that I used to take my Honda too, and they bent my knuckles in the front. My camber up front is -0.5 (per my request). The rear is much more difficult. They had to do some major custom work, and got the camber to -1.5. They told me if they went any more positive, I'd rub.

jpmt

tbone - do you mind sharing the info on the shop that did the work for you?

psk145

I didnt have them align it yet. I want to wait til I get my new tires on, that way I can make up my mind where I want the ELM set at.

So bolts....yes or no?? Or is it not worth the extra $200 or so for the gain?

tbone

Freeman Frame and Alignment in San Jose - been going there since '95

Jakpro1

If I am not mistaken, I think they are talking about the "bolt kit" that you need to do an alignment on our cars. It's rape, no way around it, but can't do the align without that bolt kit. Make sure it's a MERCEDES part.

TopGun32

good info that makes sense...

I had my front passenger tire with too much (toe out).. basically if the steering wheel was straight the tire was pointing a bit to the right.

My left front tire was fine. Both of my front cambers are off but the passenger side is more off center than the rest.

While driving my steering wheel is not perfectly straight, but the car behaves much better.

I took the car to an independent shop and was only charged $40 to adjust toe on my front 2 wheels.

I'll post my Hunter print out later...

Vadim @ FD

Charles, get the bolts. They will allow you to some adjustability.

As far as the shop, go to GMG. They have the best align machine on the West Coast and one of the techs knows MB alignment very well.

Talk to Fabryce - 714.432.1582.

komp55

Anyone have the Mercedes part number for the adjustable bolt kit?

Centurion

Vadim, I thought for sure you would have this machine too. Oh well, hopefully in the future.
Does Global use the laser-equipped type of machine?

psk145

thanks for the heads up vadim. Does Nolan still work there? I knew him when he was at Shoreline. I tested out this once place locally with my wifes car, but not sure if they spent the time to do it right. Probably best to head to someone that knows what they're doing.

jpmt

Anyone know of other good alignment shops in the bay area?

blueknight

You can try these guys in Castro Valley, I had my Audi done there and they have a laser machine.


http://www.rogerkrausracing.com

jpmt

blueknight - thanks for the info. Couple other ?s
Do you have the MB crash bolts? What are your camber numbers?

blueknight

No not yet, I am considering on purchasing a K-Mac kit. Check out the other post.


https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/195767-w211-e55-front-rear-camber-kit.html

TopGun32

anybody have the pictures of the OEM bolts?

Vadim @ FD

Nolan is still there.

He is your guy.

GMG has Weissbarth machine, which is considered to be the top of the line and the only one endorsed by Porsche.

psk145

I saw pictures on their site, looks very high end. Talked to Fabryce, and I will be taking it once I get my tires replaced, and figure out where I want the height to be. I've been changing it up every few months, but its time to decide where I want it I guess.

I love GMG's hold "music".

jangy

Hey Charles, lets get the friggin things bent to sweet specs? I'll even go first. I say we do 50% drops and align to just negative (-0.5 degree), which should give us max 2ish degrees (which is cool when hauling tail) at fuller drops.

Vader13

+1 Tell em you r my homey dude, Fabio and I go waaayy back.

BrianS

Here's a pic of the the bolt. Two are used for camber and two are used for caster adjustment if needed. I replaced the camber bolts on my car last night in the garage. Very easy DIY as long as you have a 21mm socket and combo wrench. You can't really mess it up since the bolt is keyed. I'll swing by my alignment place to have them check the final settings since I need a new TPMS sensor anyway.

TopGun32

this is super good info.

I'll try this week to change my camber bolts.