I put a lot of work into my 300D this week and they still weren't able to bring the camber in at the tire chain store. The car is not far out of alignment but with maximum adjustment they still were not able to bring the camber into specification. So I'm thinking I need a bigger coil spring shim to bring the level up? Any other thoughts? What is the original coil spring shim size? That should allow the camber to be set with room to spare by increasing the height by 9mm.




It does drive a lot better. I just am going to track down a Compressor and put in a new shim before the next alignment

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

"Almost" but not quite approaching the VooDoo that is Propeller Selection for
modern outboards.

[Disclaimer: Y'all do realize the Non-Mercedes "Big Tire Chain Stores" do not have the "Spreader Bar"
necessary for proper alignment? SOME Independents do.]There is also a "Special" Round Nosed bolt
that is used to temporarily "Lock" the steering gear in "Dead Ahead" position whilst Aligning.]
Generally the chain stores have no idea how to properly align Mercedes.

(I'm referring to the rear suspension here,I do note y'all have been working on the front.It has it's own
Vagaries and Quirks.)

GSXR has been through IT ALL and kindly details for us the ins and outs:

http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_suspension/124_coil_spring_specs.pdf

Y'all will find his "Website" the W124 Owner's Bible:
W124 Performance

Attached Thumbnails

       

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

So I have a couple of options.

1. Renew the coil springs and/or new spring shims to raise the height of the car hoping that restores the ability to have some room for camber adjusting.

2. Either in conjunction or instead of option 1 get an after market control arm bushing kit that increases the amount of available camber adjustment of the lower control arm.

3. Take it to a dealer or good independent and have it properly aligned

4. I did a real careful job of the shade tree mechanic bearing replacement. I could get a rig at HF and measure it with a dial but would that cause that much difference in camber?

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

I have a couple of more options too. I wasn't thinking about the camber right. Other possibility is I need to adjust the struts.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Take it to the dealer...I paid $140 a few months ago for the alignment. They tried to pull some BS on me about camber bolts put in which they didn't do because we don't have camber bolts so be careful when you go there and don't pay anything more than the initial quote.

Just go in and ask if they have a tech that has been around for a while -- basically not a kid and has experience aligning the W124 chassis.

What was the camber?

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Those struts don't "adjust".

The shim (your word) size depended on which model and how it was equipped. Look in the FSM for the options chart which determined which springs and pads were on the car.

You probably have the "original" on the car- just buy new ones.

I never have even gotten a quote for any service operation from the local Stealer,their parts prices are so outrageous,there would be no point.
[And so much of their work has to be "Freshened" by the local Independents.Y'all wanna see a MAD MB Owner?
One who just paid Two different R.O.s for the same problem: First to the Stealer(who sometimes parks the chassis
on the back lot and does not touch it,except to drive it out to the owner in time for the Bill.) Then to an Independent
Wrench,who actually "Fixes" the problem.]
(Plus they have Buick certified Wrenches working on Mercedes.'Now that's Free entertainment,Hilarious to watch!)

The next nearest Dealer (Formerly MCM on Hilton Head) wants $100.00 for
an alignment on the W124.
(With no games,and they have many customers with OLD cars,And older Experienced Techs)

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

The last w124 I had aligned was at Dorsey Tire off of Hwy 80 in Pooler. Gary (the owner) is a friend of mine and let me work with the alignment tech. He nailed it after we insured that the correct model number was entered into the machine (124.xxx). The key thing is to make sure they put the correct model number in.

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Jim