Hello. I plan on swapping OEM spring for a set of lowering springs. I have done this in the past(like 3 times). But, it seems that they did a snow job on it. I know it takes like 4-5hrs to replce springs on all four corners. I paid about $200 for it. Fair enough. This time I want to ask my local dealer to do that for me because they are really good to deal with. I was wondering if they are allowed to perform such a mod?? Maybe, they aren't authorized to do aftermarket mods? i am willing to pay more than 200 bux, of course. What do you think?? I feel much more comfortable when real benz tech work on my car. Let me know what you think. Anyone been on this route?

PS don't ask me why I did three times before=)

[This message has been edited by AMGCKlass (edited 04-11-2000).]

They are able to do this if they want to... The problem is that they do not know the alignment specs.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

thanks for your reply. did you mean alignment spec for spring? isn't it written in spring manual or something? Thanks.

Benzmac:

What do you mean with your reply, "...do not know the alignment specs"?

Thanks!

Brian

I think Benzmac means that Mercedes publishes the alignment specs for the stock setup. Whenever you lower a car by installing aftermarket suspension components you are modifying the suspension geometry. Mercedes does not have alignment specs for non-stock suspension geometry.
You are on your own unless the aftermarket provider has developed alignment specs.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

So am I to assume that unless alignment specs for a custom setup were/are available, you'd be wasting time and money bringing your car in for a 4-wheel alignment? Do manufacturers such as Eibach, H&R, Spax have these specs available for any given vehicle? Can a good MBZ tech "extrapolate" stock data for a given custom application?

I guess a shop would be considered "unscrupulous" if they ever did an alignment on a custom-suspended vehicle without custom specs, or would an alignment be somewhat benficial? Anyone out there with a custom suspension ever encounter this "unscrupulous-ness"?

Sorry for all the questions, but now I'm concerned that installing springs/shocks on my 2.3-16V is going to be more involved than I figured (I did figure on having to do an alignment after installation, but not to custom specs).

Thanks in advance for shedding some light on this subject.

Brian

Alignment specifications for the car do not change when you lower the car. The actual alignment does however change significantly. This may make it impossible for a technician to adjust the alignment to within factory specifications. This is why camber kits may be necessary to allow proper alignment. The only real significant aspect of alignment that changes is camber. Lowering will induce a neg camber situation from stock. For maximum cornering alignment this is generally desirable. Find yourself a technician who understands alignment not just a guy who can only set it to spec.

Hello.. I thought that chamber kit for proper alignment is only for japanese cars..Well,, What I reall mean is that I thought no one makes camber kit for M-benz. Is this not true? Who makes one? anyone knows?

I want to upgrade my 98 E430 to E55 suspension. Including springs, shocks, sways, lowest pads, etc.

Does this mean when I ask for alignment they must be informed to use the alignment specs for the E55 instead of E430?

Justin, do you take your car to Viti in Tiverton?

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

So how does one get an alignment after installing H&R Sport Springs which (they state) lower the car 1.40" in front and 1.30" in rear? How are the specs changed?