PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

crhenkel · #9 11-15-2007, 10:32 PM

I installed the KMAC kit today on the car. WOW! It was an easy install. The bushing removal tool they give you aint gunna pop the bushings out that are original for sure, but after I ruined the bushing tool they give you, a piece of pipe with a threaded shaft welded to it, I simply pulled the lower arms off the car and took them to my shop with a press and they came out no problems. I think the inner bushings were ok, but the kit replaces them. The outer busings in the hub assemblies were shot. The collar was just laying in the bushing wallowing around, no seals or grease left in them. They are not something you can see without pulling the lower arm off all the way so I never noticed. They are not cheap either, $42 for OEM, $21 for Myle aftermarket each. I left the hubs in place and knocked out the bushings with a large hammer and a big punch. A lot of heat and burning out of the rubber and the bushings knocked out nicely without pulling the hubs or anything, just have to bend out the heat shields a bit to clear the area you are working in. Knock them out from the rear to the front of the car. The new ones pressed in nice using a hammer and a 34mm socket as a tap to knock them in and not mar them up.
So, I got the bushings replaced and the new inner adjustable bushings installed and the new 2 bump spring pads in and everything put back together this afternoon and went for a drive. The top of the tires is no longer tilted in so badly and the bottom of the tires are pulled in to straighten up the alignment. The next thicker pad helped too. It drives very nice and very smooth, seems more controllable now and no sway in the rear, likely due to the new outer bearings that were bad and I didnt know it. All other rear control arms are new also, making the suspension very nice and predictable. The lowering springs dont seem to affect the ride or control whatso ever. They just messed up the rear camber. Just from eyeballing it the camber looks to be all but fixed, maybe not completely, but very very close. I will check early next week when I go back and have a new alignment done to see the result in the numbers. If it still needs more adjustment in the camber department, I can still easily go to the three bump pads and call it a day. My findings...KMAC rear camber kit is very nice. Easy to install, the tool is not so great, but the kit does exactly what it says it will do and it is easy to DIY. I did not even bother to install the included rear tierod bushings that add more tie rod adjustment room. My toe in adjustment was within specs with out the bushings so as long as it is still good after the inner camber bushings, I will likey not bother with them. they are a nice firm red poly bushing but I dont know that I need the rear to be any more stiff and firm ....