Lowered E430 ALIGNMENT HELP! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MikeyE430 · #1 02-20-2002, 12:31 PM

I have searched all the posts, read them all and still have alignment woes on my 2000 E430 Sport that has been lowered and has custom 5-spoke 18" wheels.

The insides of my expensive tires are beginning to feather, wear, and are extremely noisy from the negative camber.

The dealer will not touch the car, saying his alignment machine will not bolt up to the car. Some people tell me that stock E430 alignment specs will work. Some say that they will not work on a lowered car.

I am having a ***** of a time trying to find someone who can do a proper alignment. OR.......is a proper alignment not possible? Where do I get the specs? What type of alignment machine is required?

I am at my wit's end with this. Someone, anyone, PLEASE help.

THANKS!

yal · #2 02-20-2002, 02:38 PM

Get yourself a camber correction kit for $495 from Renntech. Go here... RENNTECH (W210)

This will solve your problem otherwise you are just going to have to keep buying new HP tires every 6 months (you weigh the cost). There is no otherway around this. Buy the camber kit and be done with it.

Hope this helps...

MikeyE430 · #3 02-20-2002, 02:48 PM

Yal,

Thanx for the info. Looks like the Renntech camber kit will take care of the rear end, what about the front?

Anyone else out there had any experience with this camber kit?

Luke@tirerack · #4 02-20-2002, 03:47 PM

what is your zipcode ????

MikeyE430 · #5 02-20-2002, 04:05 PM

Luke, I guess this reply is for you. My zip code is 37122 or any Nashville zip will work. 37076, 37214, I am close to all.

Thanks

Luke@tirerack · #6 02-20-2002, 04:35 PM

here are 2 different places to try. Both of these shops are highly recommended by Bloodworth Motorsports

Alex Handry Alignment
615-227-2556

TDS Alignment
615-244-9611

Luke

MikeyE430 · #7 02-20-2002, 04:46 PM

OK, Luke thanks for the info. I am familiar with both places. BUT....and I have discussed this with you before, what specs do they use? Can the car be aligned properly with/without a camber kit?

When they look up the specs for a stock E430, will it work with my car?

Luke@tirerack · #8 02-20-2002, 05:18 PM

I know many good alignment techs who have been able to get a lowered w210 into spec but, I do not know if they had to use a kit or not

yal · #9 02-20-2002, 07:46 PM

The front will not need a kit if its done expertly. My guess is the people you went to were probably moaning about the rear. One look under there would make any alignment amateur sweat

Gilly · #10 02-20-2002, 09:01 PM

In case this isn't known, I'll throw this comment in:
The front caster and camber on a 210, and most all newer models from MB, are adjusted using a repair bolt kit. It's not a fine adjustment. I believe it is correctable = or - 6 degrees, not sure if that's the correction factor. Whatever it is, that's the adjustment factor, not any reading in between. The repair bolt slides into a notch in the bushing, and that's where it stays. Maybe there is an aftermarket kit to make fine adjustments, or more radical adjustments.
The rear is variable with the cam adjuster, so I don't know what the kit is for that was mentioned, unless it's used to make more radical adjustments.
Most any aligner should work, but if the wheels are an extreme dimension, maybe their adapter won't fit the wheels. Stock wheels could be installed to do the alignment, then put the desired wheels back on afterwards.
You could just as well shoot for getting it back into factory specs, at least the tires will last longer. In the very least the front repair bolts can be installed to make the camber more positive, that'll help some, and of course set the toe. Toe is the most important factor in determining tire wear. Anyone should be able to at least set the toe and install the repair bolts to most positive position.
Gilly

MikeyE430 · #11 02-21-2002, 08:44 AM

Are these repair bolts a Mercedes part or aftermarket? Would an alignment shop that doesn't do a lot of Mercedes know about them? Is there a part number? Are they readily in stock or special order?

Thanks for your help

Gilly · #12 02-21-2002, 11:15 AM

Part number is 210-330-00-18, cost is about $10-15 each bolt.
I don't know what the capability is of the different alignment shops, the dealer should at least be willing to try IMHO.
The dealer should stock at least a couple of these.
An alignment shop that is unfamiliar with newer MB may be clueless. If a repair bolt is installed, then the bolt rotated, the control arm bushing will be ruined!!!
Gilly

yal · #13 02-21-2002, 11:21 AM

Quote:

The rear is variable with the cam adjuster, so I don't know what the kit is for that was mentioned, unless it's used to make more radical adjustments.

Yes, the kit is used for more rear radical adjustments because depending on how low you have gone the camber adjustment can only go so far to correct it.

I did not know about the kit for the front but that's why I come to this forum...thanks

Gilly · #14 02-21-2002, 09:44 PM

The one's I know we stock the repair bolts for are the 202 C class, the 210 E class, and the 220 S class. The 215 uses this system, which is probably the same as the 220 S class bolt. ML's I don't believe are this way. The new C class 203 is. Everything coming out now I'm sure will have it.
Gilly

MikeyE430 · #15 02-22-2002, 12:49 PM

Does anyone know if Delsign makes a rear camber kit for the E-class? Their website doesn't have much info.

Got an appointment next week with Alex Hendry Alignment to see what can be done. He also balanced tires/wheels ON the car. Has been in business 30+ years. Will report my findings.

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