Hello fellow MB enthusiasts,

I just had 4 new 205/60VR15 Yokohama AVS db tires installed on my '91 300TE wagon. In the 20 miles I've driven them so far, I must say I am very pleased. They seem to be at least as quiet as the Michelin MX4V tires on my 300E sedan and the cornering capability is greatly improved. The tire shop also performed a 4 wheel alignment and reported that they were unable to bring the front camber within spec. The eccentric is adjusted to its highest point. They offered no explanation for why this would happen and indicated the suspension components appear to be in good shape.

The spec is apparently -0.4 to 0.1 degrees, with the setting on my car being -0.9 (right) and -0.7 (left). So the wagon has slightly more negative camber than the spec calls for.

3 questions:

1) Does this sound like the correct spec?

2) Is it off enough to consider doing something about it?

3) What is the solution?

Thanks very much in advance!!

Best Regards,
Gebhard

__________________
http://www.belmontgroup.com/images/300Ewcolor.jpg

'88 300E 265K
'91 300TE 155K

Camber is off because you're using non-stock tires (195/65R15).

Call your local dealer or do a search and get SportLine 300E alignment specs, which are for 205/60R15 tires. DON'T TRUST THE FIGURES IN THE SHOP'S ALIGNMENT COMPUTER.

Also, make sure you're using factory recommended tire pressures during the alignment process.

FWIW, -0.9 and -0.7 will make your car handle better in the turns at the expense of slight wear on the tire edges. I run about -1.0 on my front.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Thanks Neil!

I'll find the correct specs and have them touch it up. I'm happy to give up a little extra wear for better handling in the turns.

Best Regards,
Gebhard

__________________
http://www.belmontgroup.com/images/300Ewcolor.jpg

'88 300E 265K
'91 300TE 155K

Add a 500E front & rear sway bar and you'll enjoy it even more.

When you're ready for front struts, use the 500E front struts or Bilstein HD's, and then go to 500E coil springs front & rear.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

The size of the tire has no bearing on the camber as long as all the tires are the same size. Take you car to an alignment specialist. How many miles on your car? How did the old tires ware? How many miles did you get on the old tires?

Hi Joe,

I went to a local tire store (Tires Plus - Wheel Works). The car has 112000 miles on it. The old tires had plenty of tread left but where very noisy. Appeared to have some cupping. I'd guess they had 30,000 miles on them.

__________________
http://www.belmontgroup.com/images/300Ewcolor.jpg

'88 300E 265K
'91 300TE 155K

I owned an alignment shop for 12 years. One thing that comes to mine that may have been overlooked is the control arm bushings. As the rubber in the bushings start to come apart the center offsets causing the bottom of the wheel to lean out (negative camber). Unless there was damage to the undercarriage there must be a worn part. This is the most likely part to fail. The cupping supports the idea that something is moving on the suspension. Tire shops are in the business of selling tires and the alignment is only a supportive service. The tech’s are for the most part here today and gone tomorrow if they have ambition. If there is not an alignment shop in your area take it to the dealer and explain what happened to the last set of tires.

Also does this TD have a leveling system? If so Was the car running wile it was checked?

Is there any way I can check the suspension components myself? I've done a entire front suspension rebuild on my 300E sedan. (bushings, tie rod ends, shocks etc.)

The wagon does have rear leveling suspension and was not running while it was aligned.

Thanks.

__________________
http://www.belmontgroup.com/images/300Ewcolor.jpg

'88 300E 265K
'91 300TE 155K

If you have replaced bushing in the passed I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

Steering linkage

With the full weight of the car on the ground have someone wiggle the steering wheel and look at each tie rod and center link. There should be no play in the ball and sockets.

Ball Joints

Jack the wheel (about 2”) under the control arm close to the ball joint. Have someone use a large pry bar under the (tire up and down) and look for play in the ball a socket.

Bushing:

This is hard to do on a garage floor on your back. Look at each bushing. Make sure the rubber in intact and the metal sleeve that holds the eccentric bolt is centered in the bushing.

If the leveling system raises the rear when the car is running or adjust one side more then the other the alignment will be affected. The car should be running wile the alignment it being adjusted.

Let me know how you make out

Joe