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Firstly - hi all - this is my 1st post on here.
I know this is an old thread but seems 'on topic' so will try here first and see if any response before posting new thread.
I have facelift 2009 E220 Cdi wagon / estate avantgarde - self-levelling rear air springs (not airmatic), steel springs up-front.
Car has done just over 140k miles, last 40k in the last 5 years since I acquired it.
I have too much negative front camber, and am chewing through tyres at a terrific rate of knots.
I accept I will probably have to pay MB dealer / MB specialist for doing an alignment - but am at least trying to get vehicle to correct level before I take it in. (So I don't also get hit for replacing / adjusting suspension components.)
Some Questions - If anyone can help please?
Which specs should I be using for my WDB211208 model? - Should it be 3rd set above- because of the 211.20? (+6.8 is a long way off what I measured.....)
Does anyone know what the stock ride height should be for my model, or know a way I can find out? (If I know stock ride height, I can use trial and error for rear inclincation angles as Arnott voltages different to stock.)
Best approach to reduce negative camber on front - after getting rear ride height set correctly?
- I gather I could get a little camber adjustment (half a degree or so) from the adjustment bolts for the torque struts - but I need to lose more negative camber than that.
- Front ride height too low? Would using longer springs or adding spring pads / shims to what I already have increase or decrease the camber? (Presumably increase negative camber?)
WIS - How To Interpret Sub-Model Designations?
AR40.20-P-0301T - Check vehicle level at front and rear axle with electronic inclinometer, adjust if necessary.
Check values for vehicle level at front axle
211.08/09/28/29 with steel suspension (+1.9)
211.00/01/02/04/05/06/07 with steel suspension (+6.5)
211.20/21/22/24/25/26/27 with steel suspension (+6.8)
211.6 with steel suspension (+6.8)
Background
I had a front wheel only alignment done less than 2k miles ago - by a general alignment shop that doen not specialise in MBs - and said they wouldn't be comfortable taking on a 4-wheel alignment for my car. Details as per below:
I gather than before a proper alignment can be done, I need to check all suspension components for damage & wear, and then check vehicle level.
Both front springs have been changed in my ownership. Car has 211 'spring points' - that puts it into the (x1 Green + x2 Yellow) = A211 321 04 04 spring bucket - since is Avantgarde (954) non-sports suspension non-Airmatic:
I replaced front right spring myself using afterwarket spring, andfront left was changed by a shop - using Merc spring. So I am confident front springs are correct spec.
I have changed spring control arms, torque struts and lower ball joints (supporting joints) have been on both sides - although not all at the same time - all Lemforder apart from a front left TRW torque strut. So think all front suspension parts are good - no play in upper balljoints.
Both rear air springs have also been replaced - by an MB specialist - with Arnott A-2726 s.(Initially replaced just 1. (Against Arnott's guidance whic is to always fit in pairs.) Car sat level, but had warning on the dash. So Arnott giving different voltages for same ride height as Merc spring. Replaced the other side, and car still level(-ish!), with no warning on dash.)
Tried to measure ride height and inclination angles the other day, but my drive is far from level. Thanks to @bbirdwell for various posts on how to do this (measure angle from outside to inside, etc.). Struggling with a couple of things though.
Big caveats:
car was not 100% level when I measured.
did not measure level difference between front and rear axles- hopefully not too much
front right was sitting 33mm / 1 5/16" lower than front left
my first time trying anything like this
I will try measuring again over the next couple of days when car is more level.
My angle measurements for the front seem to way off spec - which is why I am unsure if I am using correct spec / interpreting WIS correctly for my (sub-)model designation. (And indeed, maybe I have incorrect springs - 2113210404 / 406mm instead of 2113211404 / 445mm?)
Cor - turned into a bit of an epic post - sorry about that.