Front end a bit high - adjust control arms? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mike65 · #1 02-24-2006, 01:46 PM

Hi my 190 sits a bit high at the front, I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that if the front suspension lower arms are tightened when the car is up in the air the ride height can be higher than if tightened when car is on the ground, it sounds like a potentially easy (and cheap!) way to narrow the arch gap and make the car look better. Or is this not correct?.

Mike.

Duke2.6 · #2 02-24-2006, 02:22 PM

After loosening the control arm pivot bolt nuts to adjust camber and caster, the nuts should be tightened with the car at normal ride height. The reason for this is to not leave the bushings in a "strained" condition. At normal ride height the bushings should have no torsional strain or life could be shortened, however, this has NO EFFECT on ride height because the torsional restoring forces of the bushings are orders of magnitude less than spring force.

"Ride height" is often "determined" by opining on the visible "empty space" between the top of the tire and wheelwheel lip, which is decidedly unscientific.

Research the shop manual sites and you will find the procedure for measuring ride height and specifications, which vary somewhat by year and model, and the measurement technique is independent of tire OD.

Shorter than OE tires can make the car look "high", but it is only in the mind of the observer.

If the height is out of spec you need to look at the springs and spring seats, which are available in various thicknesses to bring ride height into the spec range with varying equipment, which affects sprung weight.

The OE gas pressure shocks increase ride height slightly, but this is taken into account in the OE specs. Replacement of high gas pressure shocks with conventional shocks will reduce ride height, but usually by only a very slight amount.

With proper front and rear ride height there is more space between the top of the tire and the wheelwell lip at the front of a 190 than the rear to provide sufficient front fender clearance when the wheels are turned over to full lock.

Duke

mike65 · #3 02-24-2006, 03:09 PM

Thanks for that.

Slighty OT, I just checked the ride height using my er fingers and it confirms something I has suspected, the drivers side sits higher by 1 index finger. Hmmmm.

Mike.