negative rear camber on w124

[shirubaby]

Hi guys,

Any ideas on how to solve this one?

I got my 300ce coupe. It's been lowered (not by me!). Unfortunately, the rear of the car is sagging - i.e. negative camber. Talked to specialists (www.tyregalore.co.uk) and they say you cant adjust it.

It's wearing the inside of the tyre. No damage underneath to any of the suspension components (as far as I can see)...so the negative camber is down to a bad lowering job.

What can I do?

At the very least I could just keep rotating the tires to keep the ware even.

 

[Bolide]

W124 rear camber

It's not sagging - most IRS rear ends tends to go negative camber when they're lowered, early BMWs being a prime example

You can get adjustable camber links in the states. I'd buy a set of those and try to dial in a slightly more sensible rear camber setting


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[turnipsock]

What has been changed to lower it? If it's just had shorter springs put in, the answer is simple.

None of the links are adjustable, so the 'specialists' are correct.

It sounds like somebody has put in short springs and this is causing the sagging effect.

 

[shirubaby]

It sounds like somebody has put in short springs and this is causing the sagging effect.

that would be my guess. I wish they didn't.
The specialist suggested that I put some kinda spacer between the spring and the end-stop (top or bottom - i dunno). Had a chat with the mechanic..he says that it may not do the trick.

Where do I buy these adjustable camber links?

 

[andy_k]

mercedes sell spring pads which will raise the car slightly (unless of course you have the largest ones in there already).

The best advice is obviously to return the car to original spec with a new set of springs but that would probably be too expensive - I'm not sure what your budget is.

It sounds as though it's been lowered a bit too far though and just adding a pair of slightly shorter than stock rear springs may solve the problem. The rear springs are a lot easier to change than the front ones so this is probably the most favourable option

Andy

 

[shirubaby]

just adding a pair of slightly shorter than stock rear springs may solve the problem. The rear springs are a lot easier to change than the front ones so this is probably the most favourable option

If I add different springs to the back tehn I'd have to add the smae springs to the front right?

 

[andy_k]

it's hard to say without seeing your car but the answer should be "not really" there's no harm in the rear of the car sitting slightly higher than the front - it gives a car a nice "stance".

It all depends on how far the car has been lowered and how much you have to spend sorting it out.

Andy

 

[Silver Arrow]

Depends how you drive it, and how fast. The set up should be considered as a whole package. Although it isn't likely to get air under the front and do a Mercedes flip, (Unless you have some mighty engine mods) you might find yourself contemplating the scenery backwards from the ditch.

 

[shirubaby]

I'm thinking these adjustable camber arms are the way to go. Couple of hundred quid (maybe)...I could save up for them.

If I were (by some miracle) be able to get hold of some, would folks think that they might work? Or do I need some other components?

Anyone know anything about adjustable rear camber arms? Know where to look? I thought the amount of lowering people do with cars nowadays, it's a common thing.
Cheers
Shiru

OR some camber bolts?

 

[clive williams]

Hi guys,

Any ideas on how to solve this one?

I got my 300ce coupe. It's been lowered (not by me!). Unfortunately, the rear of the car is sagging - i.e. negative camber. Talked to specialists (www.tyregalore.co.uk) and they say you cant adjust it.

It's wearing the inside of the tyre. No damage underneath to any of the suspension components (as far as I can see)...so the negative camber is down to a bad lowering job.

What can I do?

At the very least I could just keep rotating the tires to keep the ware even.

Have you had a chassis alignment check? All this speculation will be worthless unless you/we know exactly what the geometry currently is.

For your info the W124 has a rear camber of 1.5deg neg and a toe in of 0deg 25min total.

The upper camber arm is non-adjustable but if the vehicle has been lowered without resetting the toe-in then the tyre wear will be similar.

Re the adjustability of the camber arm, it's worth checking whether the lower thrust control arm components can be used in the upper arm to provide a degree of adjustment with the eccentric bolts. But lets not get technical until we know the precise problem.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[shirubaby]

Clive,

I can visually see the camber is out. Been speaking to a lowering specialist, and they said they have dropped a merc by 35mm without affecting the camber. Is that right?

In which case has mine been lowered more? I dont think so, I've got 16 inch alloys and I can just about slip my hand between the tire and the wheel arch. Surely, that not excessive lowering?

Anyhoo, enough speculation. Let's see what the mech says.
Cheers for all your help guys...will keep this thread updated once I solve this problem.
Shiru

 

[turnipsock]

I'm thinking these adjustable camber arms are the way to go. Couple of hundred quid (maybe)...I could save up for them.

I think you maybe entering into an expensive spiral if you take this route. When you have adjustments to make you will need equipment to set this up, or pay though the nose every time you want things set up.

You will also keep thinking that some adjustments are needed and never be happy.

I would get it back to the original setup and think again.

 

[clive williams]

Clive,

I can visually see the camber is out. Been speaking to a lowering specialist, and they said they have dropped a merc by 35mm without affecting the camber. Is that right?

In which case has mine been lowered more? I dont think so, I've got 16 inch alloys and I can just about slip my hand between the tire and the wheel arch. Surely, that not excessive lowering?

Anyhoo, enough speculation. Let's see what the mech says.
Cheers for all your help guys...will keep this thread updated once I solve this problem.
Shiru

Hi Shiru,

I see that you're in L'boro'. Who is the 'lowering specialist' you've been talking to? I can recommend Jeff Fowkes at Ibstock but don't take any BS from some of the herberts. Alternatively, go to one of the race boys we have in abundance around here. Post a reply if you need any more info.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[mercmonkey]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-190e...609648444QQcategoryZ10398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

these may help

 

[shirubaby]

awww sweet!
Thanks mercmonkey. I am definetly gonna give those a shot.

Also things have not been progressing very much in that front. I've got the tracking/alignment report done.

Here's what it says:
Camber rear passenger side: -1.57
Camber rear driver side: -2.08
Camber front passenger side: -3.21
Camber front driver side: -2.57

But this is a multilink suspension and there are more arms that need lengthening apart from the camber arm. Right? Any hints guys?

Currently, If I cant correct the camber, I'm just gonna keep rotating the tires.

 

[shirubaby]

Also I'll talk to Jeff Folkes and see what he says. Cheers peeps for all the advice.

 

[clive williams]

awww sweet!
Thanks mercmonkey. I am definetly gonna give those a shot.

Also things have not been progressing very much in that front. I've got the tracking/alignment report done.

Here's what it says:
Camber rear passenger side: -1.57
Camber rear driver side: -2.08
Camber front passenger side: -3.21
Camber front driver side: -2.57

But this is a multilink suspension and there are more arms that need lengthening apart from the camber arm. Right? Any hints guys?

Currently, If I cant correct the camber, I'm just gonna keep rotating the tires.

Shiru,

The back camber is close to original but the front looks way off. Have you checked the bushes - you can't expect perfect camber even with adjustment if the bushes are knackered.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

PS I'd better ring Jeff for my commission!!

 

[shirubaby]

eh? "The back camber is close to original"? You mean the "front camber is close to original" right?

D'oh.....hang on.


Wait
I've made a mistake

 

[shirubaby]

Correction.....sorry!

Camber front passenger side: -1.57
Camber front driver side: -2.08
Camber rear passenger side: -3.21
Camber rear driver side: -2.57

That's me putting the post up early in the morning.

 

[turnipsock]

Looks like you may have a bit of understeer there.