Rear Camber arms are in. How low do I go?
10-16-2009, 02:21 AM
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Rear Camber arms are in. How low do I go?
So since I have never actually been able to adjust the suspension, I just assumed I woud drop it and then have it aligned. But now, i am wondering what ride height and rake to set the ELM on before i go in for the alignment and what specifications to ask for? I'm scared to dump the car too low and then have the camber be positive if I raise it a bit. I'd like to find a happy medium, like maybe add 3 degrees or so of positive camber and go from there.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I am scheduled to do alignment on Saturday and it is EXPENSIVE!
Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I am scheduled to do alignment on Saturday and it is EXPENSIVE!
10-16-2009, 06:33 PM
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BUMP!!
Nobody knows any advise? I think I am goint to have the two front ELM settings at 5 and the rear at 3. That is about 50% drop from stock.
Nobody knows any advise? I think I am goint to have the two front ELM settings at 5 and the rear at 3. That is about 50% drop from stock.
10-16-2009, 06:39 PM
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CLK430
Let me know when you are ready for the bad news...
10-16-2009, 07:26 PM
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Give it to me!! I am learning as I go!!
What do you mean by stock height? My wheels aren't taller, so my car sits even at stock height. I want to lower it on 18s and then adjust. Hope that makes sense.
What do you mean by stock height? My wheels aren't taller, so my car sits even at stock height. I want to lower it on 18s and then adjust. Hope that makes sense.
10-16-2009, 08:00 PM
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Be forewarned... it does not take much adjustment to make a huge difference in camber degree. Going from -3.0 to +3.0 happens in less than an inch so it will require alot of fine tuning, trial & error will definitely be involved.
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10-16-2009, 08:33 PM
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I hope that is all it is. The setup that is being test fitted are 18X9.5et37 with 295/35/18s.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, the concern would be that the top of the tire would rub against the body if we were to use our current setups (offsets) and start adjusting the camber by moving the top. All I can say is that it must be destiny that my HREs are 18X10et42. That is slightly not agressive enough until now!!
The point is very valid when considering this move. Make sure your wheels and offset will work with adjusted camber.
10-16-2009, 08:37 PM
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CLK430
Do you have your spec sheet from the last alignment?
The bad news is having to take them off and build a jig (flat piece of metal and two bolts) to make sure both arms are at the exact same length so the car won't have a little lean to it.
10-16-2009, 08:40 PM
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I hope that is all it is. The setup that is being test fitted are 18X9.5et37 with 295/35/18s.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, the concern would be that the top of the tire would rub against the body if we were to use our current setups (offsets) and start adjusting the camber by moving the top. All I can say is that it must be destiny that my HREs are 18X10et42. That is slightly not agressive enough until now!!
The point is very valid when considering this move. Make sure your wheels and offset will work with adjusted camber.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, the concern would be that the top of the tire would rub against the body if we were to use our current setups (offsets) and start adjusting the camber by moving the top. All I can say is that it must be destiny that my HREs are 18X10et42. That is slightly not agressive enough until now!!
The point is very valid when considering this move. Make sure your wheels and offset will work with adjusted camber.
10-16-2009, 08:45 PM
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That would be 'your' stock height, meaning the height that you most use in the car.
Got it!! That makes perfect sense.
When you go to adjust it just remember, +/-1mm ~ +/-0.3* of camber. Well at least it does on the W208. They have a book at the dealership that shows the degree of change for the front eccentric camber bolts, I believe this would be the same for the rear.
Do you have your spec sheet from the last alignment?
Yes I do. Do I want to use the MB provided specs as my targets or do i want my own special ones? I typically like a slightly open toe for turn in, but have never played with suspension arms on this car.
The bad news is having to take them off and build a jig (flat piece of metal and two bolts) to make sure both arms are at the exact same length so the car won't have a little lean to it.
Got it!! That makes perfect sense.
When you go to adjust it just remember, +/-1mm ~ +/-0.3* of camber. Well at least it does on the W208. They have a book at the dealership that shows the degree of change for the front eccentric camber bolts, I believe this would be the same for the rear.
Do you have your spec sheet from the last alignment?
Yes I do. Do I want to use the MB provided specs as my targets or do i want my own special ones? I typically like a slightly open toe for turn in, but have never played with suspension arms on this car.
The bad news is having to take them off and build a jig (flat piece of metal and two bolts) to make sure both arms are at the exact same length so the car won't have a little lean to it.
P1: thanks for all your help. i wish i knew about your development before so we could have collaborated rather than becoming competitors. I'm just glad to finally see some movement in this area.
10-16-2009, 08:47 PM
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Thanks as always
10-16-2009, 08:55 PM
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HAHA!! Sweet!! Then the news isn't so bad!! That goes back to knowing that it will cost a butt load do do the labor and that the labor is critical!! Clarence Brown in SD has a reputation of aligning custom hot rods, etc. and they have assured me that they know how to most efficiently go through the alignment process. they asked that the length be left as close to OEM as possible and just install them and bring it in.
P1: thanks for all your help. i wish i knew about your development before so we could have collaborated rather than becoming competitors. I'm just glad to finally see some movement in this area.
P1: thanks for all your help. i wish i knew about your development before so we could have collaborated rather than becoming competitors. I'm just glad to finally see some movement in this area.
You want the MB specs for the camber, everything else is up to you!!
10-16-2009, 08:58 PM
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CLK430
I've found that having the stock wheels on when getting an alignment greatly increases to amount of adjustablity available by the computer. Then you put the bigger wheels on and tackle the next hurdle of interference, if any.
10-16-2009, 09:01 PM
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Jangy, I was just trying to help fill a need. Its sometimes easier for one person to do these types of projects than whole company or shop. Mostly it comes down to time and asking the right people the right questions.
I agree 100%. I was just noting that you seem pretty cool and I would have liked to have collaborated some. I've learned quite a bit from you already
You want the MB specs for the camber, everything else is up to you!!
I agree 100%. I was just noting that you seem pretty cool and I would have liked to have collaborated some. I've learned quite a bit from you already
You want the MB specs for the camber, everything else is up to you!!
Thanks again, P1!!
10-16-2009, 09:04 PM
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Yes, I have seen many issues with the laser not seeing all the way accross on cars lowered with big rims.
My alignment won't be on a machine. it is done 100% by hand with tape, etc. Given that, do you still recommend OEM wheels? Should I take both and let them start on the OEM wheels and finish up on the hREs? In the end, i need the car to roll on HREs
10-16-2009, 09:12 PM
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Yes, I have seen many issues with the laser not seeing all the way accross on cars lowered with big rims.
My alignment won't be on a machine. it is done 100% by hand with tape, etc. Given that, do you still recommend OEM wheels? Should I take both and let them start on the OEM wheels and finish up on the hREs? In the end, i need the car to roll on HREs
My alignment won't be on a machine. it is done 100% by hand with tape, etc. Given that, do you still recommend OEM wheels? Should I take both and let them start on the OEM wheels and finish up on the hREs? In the end, i need the car to roll on HREs
10-16-2009, 09:17 PM
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Bro, seriously...thanks for the help and the attitude. If I can help you, let me know.
10-16-2009, 09:34 PM
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CLK430
Anytime Jangy!!! That what we are all here for, to take what we've learned to help those around us, and girls...
