I had an indy shop replace my control arms about 1500 miles ago, and now my new front tires are almost bald on the outside tread. Since they replaced the right side spring as well, I measured the height of the fender on the left side and it was 1.25" lower than the right.
I figured the reason for this was the old spring on the left side, so I had it replaced as well. It is still 1.25" lower. I then looked at the eccentric bolt positions for the 2 control arms and they do not appear symetric. Could this be the problem? I looked everywhere for adjustment instructions for these bolts, but with no luck. Any ideas?

2004 CLK 500 Convertible 17kM
1987 300TD 206kM
1987 300D 188kM

Find a GOOD alignment shop, you have excessive toe-in due to a bad alignment.

Height difference side to side is more serious, if you have new springs, make sure the spring pads are correct and that both struts are good (if one has gone flat, it will allow that side to droop some).

MB alignments are different that most other cars, and some shops will never get them right. Toe must be set with a spreader bar (or equivalent force manually applied) or they toe in badly while running.

You must also have the tie rod ends and drag link checked, as any wear in these items produces severe toe-in and resultant tire wear on the outside.

Get this fixed soon, or the tires will wear right through the tread and rupture!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I ordered the correct spring from a local dealer, which I will install this weekend(I bought the Mercedes spring compressor on Ebay). I also ordered the (8mm) shim as shown in the parts catalog. They say this is for the Blue colored spring. The (13mm) shim is for the red colored spring. Does anyone know what is the difference between blue and red? There is also an 18mm and 23mm shim available. How do I know which one I need?

My primary focus is to get the height correct on the left side. The struts are new (1 yr old) and are Biltein HDs. All the steering linkages were also replaced with the control arms. Is the eccentric bolt position part of the alignment, or does it not change?


2004 CLK 500 Convertible 17kM
1987 300TD 206kM
1987 300D 188kM

Yes, the eccentric bolt positiion is part of the alignment.
Regards, Bruno

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1992 300TE 160 kmiles

There are no shims on this suspension... what is available in different heights is the spring pad. Spring pad choice is dependent on the color code of the spring installed and the options on the vehicle. Assuming you have a 1987 U.S. 300TD (124.193), version 10/86 -10/88, with a sliding pop-up roof and a blue spring, then the correct pad would be 18 mm in height. If your vehicle was equipped with a red spring, then the correct pad would be 23 mm in height.

This information may be found in the 124 Service Manual Chassis and Body, Volume 1, Section 32-220 "Adjustment of Front Springs (Combination front springs - rubber mounts).

Hi jgl1,

I cannot seem to find this PDF file on my 124 Service Manual :
Section 32-220 "Adjustment of Front Springs (Combination front springs - rubber mounts).

I have 32-200 Removing and installing front spring, but no 32-220. Can you send me a copy of this file?

Thanks