Folks:

I put KMAC bushings on the rear suspension of my lowered 94 E320 wagon and they work great as far as alignment goes but I can't seem to get them to be quiet. When we put the bushings in we lubed them up pretty good (we thought) but they continue to make a lot of noise. Anyone have advice on how to get them to quiet down? I'm almost ready to put stock bushings back in.

Thanks

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Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)

What kind of lube did you use on them?

__________________
George Carstens

Maddog:

I used the white stuff that came in an unmarked clear pouch with the KMAC polyurethane bushings. Don't really know what the stuff is. Very limited information came with the kit.

Thx

__________________
Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)

You may have over torqued when you were re-assembling. Try backing off a ft pound or two, or torque to the correct specs.

Hope this helps

Yal:

Thanks, do you know what the torque specs are?

Thanks,

__________________
Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)

Sorry I don't know. You may try contacting the Kmac or maybe someone here can answer.

Do you have the stock specs?

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George Carstens

I noticed when I installed mine that the red bushing halves are actually a little too long after the center eccentric is installed, causing them to bind after they are bolted in place. I solved the problem by removing them again and trimming a few millimeters off the length of one of the bushing halves with a dremel cutoff tool, then lubing and re-assembling. Now they are quiet and the suspension is more compliant as well.

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Bob Johnston
03 E55
Comand/Nav/Bluetooth/Ipod added
Black/black
(Oh man, this car is sooooo fast.)

Hello Bob Johnston,

Do you have any rubbing with your 225/50/16s? If you do have some rubbing, please tell me when it rubs and where on the car it rubs. By the way, knowing your offset will also be important for my information gathering.

I am curious because I want to try 225/50/16 on my E320 that has 16" x 7.5" ET37 AMG Monoblock I wheels. I have 205/55/16s that work fine, but I would like the fattest tires possible. I have read that the 215/55/16s rub on the lower body cladding because the 215/55/16 is taller than the 205/55/16. Based on the numbers from the Tirerack website, the 225/50/16 and the 225/45/17 are just about the same diameter as 205/55/16 and stock 195/65/15. I have read that many cars use the 225/45/17, so I am hoping the 225/50/16 will work without rubbing. I think I could live with an occasional rub inside the fender, but I don’t want to damage the outside appearance of my car. I also have a very small 1" drop, with Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks. I think the reduced spring travel will help to keep the car from bouncing down onto the tires.

Thank you for the help.

__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/

Bob Johnston:

Thank you for the good advice. I assume you trimmed one of the "inner" ends of the bushing as opposed to the flanged outer ends.

Also, what lubricant do you use, and do you apply it to both the inner and outer surfaces?


Maddog:

I don't have the stock torque specs. I had my mechanic install the bushings then had the car aligned, so I have no idea what the specs are.

Thanks,

__________________
Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)

This is Why I went with Jeffs Camber Arms!
I Have seen SEVERAL cases of the dreaded Squeak!

NO Squeek at all since trimming the bushings. It is, however, a little ridiculous that I had to do this with such an expensive piece. This is on top of the fact that the tool supplied with these bushings is darn nigh worthless. I ended up drilling many holes in the old rubber bushing, and pushing out the center with the Kmac tool, then using a air hammer to knock out the outer metal sleeve of the bushing.

My 225/50/16 tires do not rub at all, and this is on a slightly lowered car. I am using aftermarket 5 hole OEM replica wheels for the late 90's E420/E430 cars. I can't remember the offset, but the tire ends up being VERY close to the strut on the inside top, shines it up a bit occasionally, but no fender or other suspension interference. I think I gave those specsand some photos in another thread, try searching under my username. ''m not at home right now, and can't remember whether the offset is 37 or 41.

This size tire looks great and handles well. It is, however, a little fussy about alignment specs to avoid feathering, and subsequent blocking/ cupping of the tires before their time. Make sure the toe in is set a little above spec, and they use a spreader bar to get the "pressed" toe in.

__________________
Bob Johnston
03 E55
Comand/Nav/Bluetooth/Ipod added
Black/black
(Oh man, this car is sooooo fast.)

Yes, I trimmed the inner part of the bushing, not the flanged end, then lubed them inside and out with the supplied lube.

Torque specs are 53 ft-lbs, or 40-some N-m.

__________________
Bob Johnston
03 E55
Comand/Nav/Bluetooth/Ipod added
Black/black
(Oh man, this car is sooooo fast.)

Bob:

Thank you, that's a big help.

Thx,

__________________
Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)