This is on a 2005 C55 but the repair bolt I'm assuming relates to other cars.

Anyways the dealer said I needed the repair bolts to get the alignment back in to spec. So I purchased the repair bolts for the torque strut/radius rod and the cross strut/transverse link. The bolts I removed from the torque strut looked like the new bolts so I'm guessing they were installed already but I replaced them anyways, the cross strut bolts didn't have the cut outs in the bolts so I installed the repair bolts. After all the work is completed I took the car back to the dealer to pay for the 2nd alignment. I was told the repair bolts were not installed correctly and they would have to be adjusted.

Here is my alignment sheet,



It looks like every thing is ok besides the front caster. Now I was thinking of doing a 180 degree switch on both torque strut repair bolts but than I was thinking the car would just start pulling the other way.

Any advise on which repair bolts to flip around? or any thing else I should know?

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1999 SL500
2003 C32
2002 S55
2004 S430
2003 E320
2004 E500

Adjustment bolts are designed for MINOR corrections of 1/2deg or less.

The caster is way too far out for the bolts to make any real change.

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I noticed both torque strut repair bolts were not installed correctly. I adjusted the caster on the torque strut, I moved the L side wheel backwards 1 notch=aprox 4mm and the R side forwards 1 notch=aprox 4mm. About 90% of the pull is gone, I notice the steering wheel is 1-3 degrees off but this could have been there before.

I read some where that when you change the torque strut setting than your camber changes, is this true? I'm trying to decide if I need to send it back in to the alignment shop and or if I need to make sure the cross strut repair bolts are installed correctly?

Thanks for the reply, after studying the suspension geometry I'm now realizing I should of stayed awake in math class.

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1999 SL500
2003 C32
2002 S55
2004 S430
2003 E320
2004 E500

A caster bolt is designed to add or subtract about 40-45' while also affecting camber about 5-10'. If you install a camber bolt, it'll change camber by about 15-25' and caster about 10-15'. Anymore than that is an indication of something being bent or very worn out. Those are an average change for multi-link front suspensions.

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Outstanding information thank you. No matter how many adjustments I can make with estimating the changes to my alignment spec read out I still can't see my self avoiding another alignment so I have simply left it in the hands of the pros.

I know I have some cracking in the torque strut bushings and spring issues but I think they can get pretty close to an acceptable range.

__________________
1999 SL500
2003 C32
2002 S55
2004 S430
2003 E320
2004 E500