Problems With 210 Rear Camber Need Help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SSWEET55 · #1 01-02-2005, 04:51 PM

Hello Folks, Just had a rear tire go down on my 1999 E55 AMG. My wife noticed just the day before that the rear tires were shot. And like most guys I listened really well. Needless to say the inside of both tires are gone. I mean horribly worn down to below the steel. I know enough to know that this problem is due to the alignment on the car needing to be changed. Here is my problem....and I would love some replies if you have a car with the same specs. My car has 19" Carrs all around and has had Eibach springs installed all around. All this was done before I got it so I don't know exactly how far it is lowered but I think it is the basic kit since the springs are black. The car sits great with just a tad of rise in the rear but you can tell from standing behind the car that it has too much negative camber. Now here is my problem. Do I go ahead and buy tires of the same size again ( the car handled great and drove straight with no rubbing) Only the extreme inside tire wear is the problem. I need to know if the rear camber on the car is able to adjust to compensate for the lowering change. ( Where should a stock AMG sit in ride height?). If not does someone make rods to maximize the adjustment for the 210's. I love the way the car looks and rides now. But if you install new rods and get the tires sitting straighter (that's what I am after less wear) will that only affect pulling the tire in at the bottom or will it also push the tire out at the top a bit where I might have fender rub...I would love to stay with this set up it has now it I can correct the tire wear. But if I have to go back with factory height springs and change wheels I need to know that before I purchase the tires. I guess I really need to know if anyone out there has had dealings with a 210 with 19's that was able to get moderate tire wear with good spec camber. Thanks for all your help. You guys are always the best. Steve especially has been a lifesaver time and time again. Happy New Year.

gsxr · #2 01-13-2005, 03:17 PM

Sounds like you need the adjustable camber arms, or the K-Mac bushing for the lower control arm, to adjust the camber to save the tires. If you rub the fenders, roll the fender lips for clearance.

yal · #3 01-13-2005, 04:51 PM

Yeah solving one problem may cause another as stated by gsxr. If you correct the camber with one of the solutions mentioned you'll push the top of the wheel out towads the fender. It may rub on bumps.

gsxr · #4 01-13-2005, 07:05 PM

I'd rather save tires that cost $300/each and roll the fender lips if necessary. This will not be visible if done correctly.

Jay Gibbs · #5 01-13-2005, 08:04 PM

SSWEET55-

Your first action item should probably be a visit to your dealer for a 4 wheel alignment. It is possible that the car has been lowered beyond the range of camber adjustment.

To give you an idea of how far the car is lowered from stock, park the car on a very flat, level surface and measure the distance from the very center of the star in your wheel center cap up to the very edge of the fender lip. With the factory stock suspension, distance will be right about 14 3/4" for the front suspension and 14 7/8" for the rear suspension. My own car is lowered only slightly from that (stock E55 springs and shocks, but thinner spring pads) to about 14 3/8" at all 4 corners- alignment is within specs and no rubbing with the stock E55 Wheels and tires.

As for the negative camber, any car will corner better with negative camber. Most race cars are set with it. A tradeoff will always be tire wear on the inner edges. It is possible that the tire will rub with the camber re-set to a more neutral angle. I think your best bet is to check alignment, see if there is enough adjustment left to get you within spec, and see how the fender clearance fares. Then make a decision about your tires.

Best of luck!

J.G.

ksing44 · #6 01-18-2005, 07:28 AM

Hello speedybenz,

Your camber arms really do seem like the BEST solution for the lack of rear camber adjustment on our W124s. I already have the K-MAC bushings, but I worry about them all of the time and I still have quite a bit of negative camber.

I want to get your adjustable camber arms, as an insurance policy, incase my bushings fail.

Since I am planning to keep my car for a VERY LONG TIME, as part of my insurance policy, I thought it would be best to get a couple of extra sets of the bearings. I just want to be sure that many years from now I have all of the regular maintenance parts I need to keep my car in tiptop shape.

Am I correct about the bearings being something that could be replaced to refurbish the camber arms after some extended period of use?

How long do the bearings typically last?

Can I purchase some extra bearings?

The arms look bulletproof. Do the arms last forever?

speedybenz · #7 01-19-2005, 12:52 PM

ksing44,

Quote: "Am I correct about the bearings being something that could be replaced to refurbish the camber arms after some extended period of use? "

1. Yes the rod end bearings are replaceable.

"How long do the bearings typically last?"

2. I do not know how long the rod end bearings will last, but my quess is several years under normal driving. I have had mine on for almost 2 years and there is still no loosening.

"Can I purchase some extra bearings?"

3. Yes you can buy extra rod end bearings for spares.

"The arms look bulletproof. Do the arms last forever?"

4. The steel portion of the arm should last the life of the car and the rod end bearing will wear out at some point, but right now I don't know when that would be. I did build them to be very strong and that way I used the oversized rod end bearings using Kevlar in the bearing race. I then machine the inserts out of stainless steel so they will fit each model of car perfectly and the stainless steel will not rust.

ksing44 · #8 01-20-2005, 07:56 AM

Hello speedybenz,

I am supposed to get my bonus before next Friday and I already bargained with my wife so that I can get big swaybars and the camber arms with a set of extra bearings. Should I just contact you with the private email on this site to purchase the camber arms? How will I make the payment to you? I don’t have a PayPal account, but of course I do have a VISA and a personal checking account. Do you already have a set of camber arms for a 1995 E320 W124, or do you have to make them?

Ken

manny · #9 01-20-2005, 06:54 PM

ksing44

Have you seen this? It's brand new.

http://www.speedybnz.com/

ksing44 · #10 01-21-2005, 06:29 AM

The speedybnz site is great!