I've been fighting an excessive rear camber problem on a recently acquired 1984 300SD. I've replaced the sub frame mounts, trailing arm bushings, and shocks. I've also played around with the ride height. There has been some improvement, but the passenger side rear still shows more than -2 degrees camber (drivers -1/2). There is no obvious damage to the arm or the sub frame. I'm about to replace the passenger side arm anyway but I wanted to run this by the experts here first. Funny thing, I pulled over to look at another 300SD that was for sale and it exhibited the same one sided camber! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Bob D.
1971 220D
1983 300SD
1984 300SD

Any time that I've seen excessive neg rear camber & ride height wasn't the problem on a W126 car, the trailing arm was bent!! May not look possible but it sure is.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
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Doc,

Thanks for the conformation. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend. Is there a quick way to check an arm for the proper shape when I pick one up at the local MB recycler? I've got the manual that shows how to do it on a jig, but not having one handy I thought you might be able to share something from hard won experience.

Thanks Again
Bob D.

No way to tell if it's bent until you get it on the alignment rack.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

My 560SEL has decided to wear out the rear tires unevenly. I had the leaking accumulators replaced a few months ago and the uneven tire wear started about then. I was told the ride height needed to be adjusted as this was the only way to adjust the camber on the rear of the car. My mechanic, soon to be replaced I think, had never heard of this. While he knew how to adjust the ride height he didn't know how high to make the ride. Since he made the first adjustment the left tear wear seems okay but the right side is still bad. I'd just as soon get this fixed before I spend money on new tires and, as of now, the car is unsafe to drive. The car is a 1989 with 103,000 miles and has signs of now being driven for a while before I got it last year. I've had lots of problems various leaks caused by dried seals. Could the rear bushings also be dried out and causing this problem? Thanks for any help provided. BTW Great site for MB owners.