|
I'll prefice by saying that I am not a suspension expert and that I'm also not a heavy DIYer anymore. I don't know much about the SpeedyBenz links, but I would assume that if you can change a rear link, you could do them just as easily.
As far as the K-MAC kit, you can install them (they are just adjustable eccentric bushings) yourself also, but you really need someone who REALLY knows what they are doing to get a baseline and then adjust them. I am told you need a factory tool to properly measure the 'ride height' on the rear end before you can calculate the correct camber for the rear. It can not just be adjusted to some chart. As I said, I'm not an expert, but have been told this by two knowlegdeable suspension men.
This is the best way to clear up the eventual sag that our rear ends take - by sag I mean the pronounced negative camber at the rear that tends to wear the inside of your expensive wide tires.
I think the W124 Sportline suspension rear camber amplifies the problem because while the springs are shorter than stock W124s, the rear camber links are the same part number. That's my theory anyway.
My suspension was really wearing the insides of my tires. My Master suspension man took the baseline readings, then installed the K-Mac kit on my 300CE Sportline. Then he was able to do the 4 wheel alignment properly, and he got everything nearly dead nuts in the middle of the spec range, front and rear, side to side - something that no one else was able to do. He took a day and a half to carefully do this.
So I guess what I'm saying is, if you need to have an alignment shop take baseline readings on your suspension first, before you then install the eccentric bushings (or adjustable links), and then you have to take the car back to the alignment shop to finish the job, I wonder if you are saving much money? I felt that letting the alignment shop do the whole job, made more sense. Not many shops have the necessary MB ride height tool, much less even know how to use it, so I feel a really good shop is needed.
But, as I said, I'm not an expert, so I welcome someone more knowledgeable to chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.
Hopefully you can find a good shop in SF. If you were in Seattle, I could recommend one up here.
|