alignment
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
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From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
alignment
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?
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?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
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!!
There is an old school place here that can do it, but the tried to charge Ling $800!!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 311
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From: Bay Area
2004 E55 AMG, 2002 Porsche 996 TT, 2004 BMW x5 4.8is, 2004 F360
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.
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..
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?
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?
Last edited by sdsilverm3; Jul 23, 2008 at 09:20 PM.
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
^ 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.
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.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
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From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
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?
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?
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?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
One shop I went to said that I would need some new bolts (4) to be able to fully adjust it.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
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?
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?
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...
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,855
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From: Southern California
S600TT, R350
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.
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.
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From: SoCal
a car that gets very poor gas mileage.
Does Global use the laser-equipped type of machine?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
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From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
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.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Bay Area
07 BMW X5
You can try these guys in Castro Valley, I had my Audi done there and they have a laser machine.
http://www.rogerkrausracing.com
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From: Bay Area
07 BMW X5
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
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
I love GMG's hold "music".
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
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.
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From: So-Cal
W211 E55 AMG, ML63 AMG, Past 996GT3,ZCPM3,Brabus C32,ML 500
+1 Tell em you r my homey dude, Fabio and I go waaayy back.
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From: Maryland
2004 E55 AMG
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
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.
I'll try this week to change my camber bolts.
