better handleing
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2005 e55 AMG
Ball joints all done but now I found something else to do. The sway bar links have a rubber insulator on one end so I started making 1/2 rod ends with a threaded tube kit. Now it will be solid with two rod ends and no rubber so there will be no deflection at all. I will...if I get crazy ...will drill a hole closer "in" where the link mounts and this will make for a stiffer bar. My road race Mustang had something like this with 3 holes to adjust it to track conditions.
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2005 e55 AMG
Wow! What a difference! The caster I pulled out from this mod worked so well that I put the pump back to stock pressures. I have been complaining to my self about how heavy the steering feels in this car since the day I bought it and NOW its like steering a Caddy with fantastic feed back. I ended up pulling 2.3 degrees out with caster and she drives perfect. Totally different car now so thanks for the "slotting" the upper ball joint advice/trick. Would not have thought of that.
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From: SOCAL
2004 E55
Taking out caster can actually be bad for handling. Caster does two things it increases first it provides self centering of the steering and that's what everyone thinks that caster is for. Caster does one other very important thing especially in a large sedan with moderate body roll. It decreases negitive camber on the inside tire when turned. and that keeps the tread on the road providing grip and reducing understeer. Dialing out caster on a w211 will increase understeer
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E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Wow! What a difference! The caster I pulled out from this mod worked so well that I put the pump back to stock pressures. I have been complaining to my self about how heavy the steering feels in this car since the day I bought it and NOW its like steering a Caddy with fantastic feed back. I ended up pulling 2.3 degrees out with caster and she drives perfect. Totally different car now so thanks for the "slotting" the upper ball joint advice/trick. Would not have thought of that.
I like your direction with the sway bar, I think Delrin bushings and your "pivot relocation" will get results, with what I think is an already too heavy bar.
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Taking out caster can actually be bad for handling. Caster does two things it increases first it provides self centering of the steering and that's what everyone thinks that caster is for. Caster does one other very important thing especially in a large sedan with moderate body roll. It decreases negitive camber on the inside tire when turned. and that keeps the tread on the road providing grip and reducing understeer. Dialing out caster on a w211 will increase understeer
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2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
unless you replace our air suspension with adjustable coilovers, upgrade sway bars to bigger units, install a GOOD LSD you will be stuck with a car that handles fairly decent for a Mercedes. A LOT handle much much worse.
in regards to steering, uping the pressure will only make your steering wheel lighter in feeling.
we do not have steering racks with adjustable ratio's like some of these newer cars have.
almost any car can be made to handle better...the question is how much are you willing to spend to do so. most race prepped road race cars have fully custom suspension down to the arms and possibly arm/suspension attachment points. in some series they are allowed to move shock towers and steering rack locations a approved amount from OEM.
in regards to steering, uping the pressure will only make your steering wheel lighter in feeling.
we do not have steering racks with adjustable ratio's like some of these newer cars have.
almost any car can be made to handle better...the question is how much are you willing to spend to do so. most race prepped road race cars have fully custom suspension down to the arms and possibly arm/suspension attachment points. in some series they are allowed to move shock towers and steering rack locations a approved amount from OEM.
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2005 e55 AMG
Better handling has to be looked at with an open mind so to speak. If I am driving a car like this that has the feeling of constantly fighting the steering wheel and adjusting the caster eleminates this...then to me it will be an easyer car to "handle". My first impression of this car when I bought it was "something is wrong with the power steering pump...its to hard to turn the steering wheel going into a turn" So I put a new pump on. Did nothing.
Now for that loss of camber,I also put back in and then some to combat the negitive aspect of the caster removal.
To me the responce is so much faster its like driving a completely different car,still stable at high speed,quicker to navigate for say an autocross event and much more of a pleasure to drive.So again for the under steer problem ...a little more camber will fix it. Also the adjustments made all around are very small but provide great feedback to the driver and thats what I am after. I am also going to swap out my 900lb springs and pop in 1,000lb springs for a little flatter turning and some k mac bushings and leave it at that.
Now for that loss of camber,I also put back in and then some to combat the negitive aspect of the caster removal.
To me the responce is so much faster its like driving a completely different car,still stable at high speed,quicker to navigate for say an autocross event and much more of a pleasure to drive.So again for the under steer problem ...a little more camber will fix it. Also the adjustments made all around are very small but provide great feedback to the driver and thats what I am after. I am also going to swap out my 900lb springs and pop in 1,000lb springs for a little flatter turning and some k mac bushings and leave it at that.
Last edited by SICAMG; Jan 30, 2015 at 02:14 PM.
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2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
unless you replace our air suspension with adjustable coilovers, upgrade sway bars to bigger units, install a GOOD LSD you will be stuck with a car that handles fairly decent for a Mercedes. A LOT handle much much worse.
in regards to steering, uping the pressure will only make your steering wheel lighter in feeling.
we do not have steering racks with adjustable ratio's like some of these newer cars have.
almost any car can be made to handle better...the question is how much are you willing to spend to do so. most race prepped road race cars have fully custom suspension down to the arms and possibly arm/suspension attachment points. in some series they are allowed to move shock towers and steering rack locations a approved amount from OEM.
in regards to steering, uping the pressure will only make your steering wheel lighter in feeling.
we do not have steering racks with adjustable ratio's like some of these newer cars have.
almost any car can be made to handle better...the question is how much are you willing to spend to do so. most race prepped road race cars have fully custom suspension down to the arms and possibly arm/suspension attachment points. in some series they are allowed to move shock towers and steering rack locations a approved amount from OEM.
No car can't be made to handle. It's a myth that just because its a four door Benz it needs to handle bad but be prepared to spend alot of money. That's why no one does custom work because they don't think it's worth it. Shell out $100k and drop the weight down to ~1550kg with carbon everywhere and lightweight customs parts and you'll handle alright
...who's gonna do it though haha. Honestly if I was a billionaire or even a 50+ millionaire I would actually do that :P Would have an insane E55 haha.
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CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320
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From: SOCAL
2004 E55
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2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Taking out caster can actually be bad for handling. Caster does two things it increases first it provides self centering of the steering and that's what everyone thinks that caster is for. Caster does one other very important thing especially in a large sedan with moderate body roll. It decreases negitive camber on the inside tire when turned. and that keeps the tread on the road providing grip and reducing understeer. Dialing out caster on a w211 will increase understeer
I would agree with you but in this instance I think you are wrong.
These cars run upto 12degrees of castor stock. An e60 m5 runs about 5-7degrees of castor.
The fact is I did this mod and probably dialed out upto 3.5 to 4 degrees of castor with this an the bottom bolts moving the wheel back therefore decreasing castor.
Its a night and day difference! These cars simply dont turn in right with the stock wheel alignment end of story! Same tight touge like road I went down before plowing into corners could be taken at speed and with confidence it wouldnt plow as long as you didnt get silly.
I highly suggest you try it before being such an armchair critic.
Last edited by austingtir; Jan 31, 2015 at 01:08 AM.
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2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
The sway bar mod sounds like a great idea. Can you post pics of what you come up with for the link?
It has surprised me a bit nobody makes swaybar upgrades for this car. As with the airmatic its probably the only cheap way to flatten the car out more in the corners.
I honestly dont think the airmatic is as bad as some make out on here but then I do have the Arnott upgrades so maybe its just me.
It has surprised me a bit nobody makes swaybar upgrades for this car. As with the airmatic its probably the only cheap way to flatten the car out more in the corners.
I honestly dont think the airmatic is as bad as some make out on here but then I do have the Arnott upgrades so maybe its just me.
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2005 e55 AMG
I will try. I am really behind with pictures of all the stuff I have done lately.
As far as the ball joint mod ....do it!! The car is completely different and I love it. I am at 2.1 degrees of camber and she seems to love it. The roads are very cold but I always test on the same turns at the same speeds and push as hard as possible so I can tell if I am going in the right direction. I have had it on my alignment rack at least 8 times messing with it!!
MJ50...looks fantastic...tires nice and planted!!!
As far as the ball joint mod ....do it!! The car is completely different and I love it. I am at 2.1 degrees of camber and she seems to love it. The roads are very cold but I always test on the same turns at the same speeds and push as hard as possible so I can tell if I am going in the right direction. I have had it on my alignment rack at least 8 times messing with it!!
MJ50...looks fantastic...tires nice and planted!!!
Last edited by SICAMG; Feb 1, 2015 at 09:57 PM.
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2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
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2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
If you retrofit lightweight rotors you will reduce the unsprung weight by almost 40 lbs. Even with the Airmatic (which I personally love for its cruising qualities) the improvement in handling is significant. Further, and assuming you have KMACS, if you lower the ride height and level the car, this also is a significant improvement. Add toe links, an LSD and you will have a car with impressive handling qualities.
Last edited by AgSilver; Feb 4, 2015 at 11:43 AM.
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3-pointed star
The 8 piston AMG brakes are made by Brembo.
If you retrofit lightweight rotors you will reduce the unsprung weight by almost 40 lbs. Even with the Airmatic (which I personally love for its cruising qualities) the improvement in handling is significant. Further, and assuming you have KMACS, if you lower the ride height and level the car, this also is a significant improvement. Add toe links, an LSD and you will have a car with impressive handling qualities.
If you retrofit lightweight rotors you will reduce the unsprung weight by almost 40 lbs. Even with the Airmatic (which I personally love for its cruising qualities) the improvement in handling is significant. Further, and assuming you have KMACS, if you lower the ride height and level the car, this also is a significant improvement. Add toe links, an LSD and you will have a car with impressive handling qualities.
Great info!
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2005 e55 AMG
Just moved the sway bar bolt mounting hole,left the stock links, and she definitely flatter in the turns.The heim joint deal was not working out. I spent nothing really and the car drives like a totally different car!!
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2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Did you do front and rear? I had a quick look at mine as I didnt have much time over the weekend and thought there wasnt alot of room to drill another hole further up but couldnt see much.... what I did notice on the front was that the link is pointing up towards the back of the car meaning drilling the front one out would work great to get it straight vertical.
I was actually thinking im going to have to take them off and squish the ends down more in a press to give me more flat meat to drill though......
This sounds great iv been happy with mine it doesnt even roll much when you push it though corners if this flattens it out more then I might have to go find some m5's at the local track days......
Last edited by austingtir; Feb 8, 2015 at 05:11 AM.
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sl600
When you change the rotors, go bigger as the main problem with the stock setup is that they overheat very easily. The larger surface area on bigger brakes will slow the heating process.
Reducing the caster will make it feel more nimble and have quicker steering inputs but will increase understeer and be slower through the corners.
Increase the front tire size by probably 20mm and leave the rear the same will help the understeer along with dialing in more camber in the front.
I am talking from an sl600 however they do have similar issues in regards to handing. Built in understeer, insufficient brakes and a lot of caster.
Reducing the caster will make it feel more nimble and have quicker steering inputs but will increase understeer and be slower through the corners.
Increase the front tire size by probably 20mm and leave the rear the same will help the understeer along with dialing in more camber in the front.
I am talking from an sl600 however they do have similar issues in regards to handing. Built in understeer, insufficient brakes and a lot of caster.
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2005 e55 AMG
I only did the front. What I did was drill the new hole as close as I dould the the "squish" part, grind a hardened washer flat on one side and put that in between the link and sway bar so it would bolt down flat. Also when you drill put the hole slightly up higher than the factory hole, When you swing the link to the new position it will want to "mount" slightly higher since it is leaning already towards the rear.
F1BHP...I know that there are some trade offs with the slight increase in under steer but the inputs back to me at the steering wheel make the car soooo much easyer to drive in EVERY condition I throw at it. Like I said when I first drove my car right off the trailer was "this thing feels like I am driving a car with two almost flat front tires". But now just whipping into a parking space is quicker and the wheel does not fight me LOL
F1BHP...I know that there are some trade offs with the slight increase in under steer but the inputs back to me at the steering wheel make the car soooo much easyer to drive in EVERY condition I throw at it. Like I said when I first drove my car right off the trailer was "this thing feels like I am driving a car with two almost flat front tires". But now just whipping into a parking space is quicker and the wheel does not fight me LOL
