w210 E300TD front lower arm, wishbone bolts position question? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Olivier · #1 08-24-2011, 01:54 PM

Hello,
I saw a diy on how to change the wishbone on the w210, but I have a question about the bolts that hold them in place.
I was told its just bolt on, and off you go,
and:
you need to mark the bolts at many places as you can as they are in a certain position and if you move it you will need to do a geometrie to put it back in properly?

Anyone knows what is the right way of doing this?
Are the bolts eccentric? Straits? Is it just a plug and play type of work?
Thank you.
Olivier

citationtech · #2 08-24-2011, 02:40 PM

factory bolts are not eccentric. the spring will apply significant force making removal tricky. you can remove them on at a time if you use jack stands and a floor jack but having done them i think it's easier in the long run with the spring removed. eccentric bolts are available from the dealer for 1/4 of the price from ********* exc. what are you trying to do? suspension repair or corrective camber repair?

Olivier · #3 08-24-2011, 03:19 PM

Hi Citationtech,
I am putting new arms in. Indeed at the stealer they had the corrective eccentric bolt to do the camber as I was told there at the time and how you point it out as well, then I ordered 2 regular bolts ( 8 pounds a piece, couldn't afford four and I am hoping I can save 2 old one) and I get them tomorrow, from there I could see what they look like, , also while I was ordering the bolts I got a hint from a mecanic there telling me that I need to be sure I mark the old bolts position for when I put the new arm in, if not the arm will be totally out of place???
I have a not proper spring removal ( its for audi) and if this doesn't work I do the jack scary thingy ....
Thank you.
Olivier

citationtech · #4 08-25-2011, 02:20 AM

installing two, i assume you mean one per side, would probably yield some weird caster setting. you need TWO per side. the forward and aft bolts in each control arm to effectively pull the control arm in (gain positive camber) or push the control arm out (gain negative camber). the bolts have eccentric washers with grooves that it fit into a raised groove on the front subframe. when you turn the BOLT it will act as the eccentric. another way to think of it while you're on the ground is to point the grooves in towards the engine to pull the control arms in and gain positive camber, or point the grooves out to the wheels to gain negative camber. once you fit the bolts you'll see how they push/pull the arm either in or out to adjust the camber setting. you can eyeball the grooves and try to make all four even before you have it aligned with a machine. if you have any questions ask away, i just went through this a couple months ago.

here is the link to the site i bought mine from. $11 per bolt.:

http://www.*********.com/catalog/1998/mercedes/e300/suspension/eccentric_pin_kit.html

Olivier · #5 08-25-2011, 04:20 AM

Thanks for the reply,
I am installing the 2 wishbone yes, but only ordered 2 bold and not four, they were actually 9 pounds each, not 8. This is a total rip off...
The big question as I don't really get it ( sorry, a bit slow here ) are the regular bold, the one on the car now and the one I have orderd, do have a special position for the camber due to the washer as well and this need to be mark?
Or the only one that would do that are the eccentric bolt and washers?
I am trying to avoid the machine alignement, and just want to put them in and drive happilly...
Cheers.
Olivier

citationtech · #6 08-25-2011, 08:36 PM

** tell me, why are you needing the eccentric bolts? if your camber out? is your caster out? if not you really don't need these eccentric bolts, though i feel mercedes should have engineered in some adjustment other than toe!

you needn't mark the old non eccentric bolts position, they are a zero adjustment, non eccentric type. i adjusted all four of my eccentric bolts to maximum positive camber (center of the mark at 180 degrees in relation to the subframe) and "eyeballed" the marks. took the car to mercedes and they provided me the initial specs. i was off a maximum of 1/10 or a degree between the four. not bad. the problem you'll have is if you install ONE eccentric bolt per control arm the you'll be effecting your caster because the mounting geometry will be uneven. you need to have all four of the eccentric bolts, or all four original bolts. you shouldn't be mixing the two unless your chassis is tweaked.

i highly recommend a professional alignment once we get you all figured out, it's the only way to get your car handling like a mercedes-benz was designed to!

you sound like you know your way around a automobile but some quick refreshment in chassis dynamics and geometry is very helpful in understanding toe, caber, caster exc.

Olivier · #7 08-26-2011, 04:06 AM

Hello,
I am not buying eccentric bold, just regular. I was just saying that MB gave me the choice, but its not necessary to get the eccentric.
The worry I had was that I was told at MB that I need to mark all the old bolt ( regular) prior replacing the wishbone as if not all mesurement ( camber) will be all over the place...
This is not necessary then? I just need to unbolt the old one and rebolt the new one as you pointed put there is Zero adjustement, which is great to me

Thank you

Olivier

citationtech · #8 08-27-2011, 08:23 AM

you got it. the factory bolts are zero adjustment, just slap them in. should you ever need to adjust camber or caster then you'll need the eccentric repair bolt. good luck with your 210!

Olivier · #9 08-27-2011, 04:22 PM

I just did one side today. Creeky!!! This was hard.
Thank you Citationteck for the info. I just had tp push back the bolt in, but this was not eas, putting the arm into place properly is not a coffee break...
One more to go... THis will be next weekend... Maybe

Again, thank you.
Olivier