Rear suspension SLK 172

[BBKidder]

250 SLK CDI 172. I have noticed that the outer edge of a rear tyre is wearing slightly more than the inner edge. This suggest that the wheel is not at the correct camber. Can this be adjusted? How tender is the rear suspension? There is no sign of damage to wheel or tyre but could a 'kerbing' alter the camber? Need as much information as I can acquire before getting a full alignment check.

Difficult to find detailed drawing of suspension, lots of special arms listed on the internet but I am not looking for track day equipment. I would just like to avoid having to replace a tyre before it has done proper mileage.

 

[00slk]

The rear lower wishbone arms are fairly flimsy on those, we had a slight bend in ours and it made the tyre wear excessively on the outer edge.
It alters the toe in if its damaged causing the wear you mention. This arm also has a ball joint at one end and could have play which will also cause premature wear on the tyre.

 

[BBKidder]

So no adjustment as such. I guess that I need to get the car up on a ramp and measure arms on both sides to see if there is a difference.

 

[BBKidder]

I am still looking for info regarding the adjustment for rear wheel camber on my slk 250 172. I have found picture of 171 that shows camber adjustment bolt on inboard end of arm. Continuing to ask silly questions and not being familiar with 5 arm suspensions, if I adjust the camber will I also need to adjust the toe in?

 

[00slk]

It is adjustable, we had ours done after I fitted the new arm. Done by a wheel alignment specialist.

 

[BBKidder]

Thanks 00slk, I am hoping to avoid expensive visits to the garage until I have a firm grasp of what is involved. If the 172 set up is similar to the 171, the camber is adjusted by rotating the inboard bolt which has heavy washers that are offset. The washers fits between lugs in the outer edges of the chassis bracket, rotating the bolt/washer moves the pivot point effectively increasing the length of the arm and tilting the wheel.
There seems to be some doubt as to whether all 172 s are fitted with the offset washer/bolts. Merc list a whole variety of camber bolts at merc prices but do not appear to list a set for the 172. The lugs in the chassis brackets are, hopefully, a certainty. If the camber is altered does the toe in also need adjustment?

 

[00slk]

If I remember rightly the lower front arm on the rear suspension adjusted the toe in/out.
It look like someone had tried lifting our car on this arm and bent it. It caused toe in. I took it off the straightened it as best I could until I could buy a new one. I fitted it but the rear alignment was still out. I'm sure there must be adjustable as the garage sorted it.