w124 camber kit help!!!!!!!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benzsu · #1 10-28-2006, 02:01 AM

hello everyone, I need to know where I can purchase a set of Kmac camber kit for my 94 E420>

zrusny · #2 10-28-2006, 11:01 PM

benzsu · #3 10-28-2006, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the reply, I was actually looking for a dealer in the U.S. Kmac.com is in AU, I was hoping not to pay for international shipping.

EliotW · #4 10-28-2006, 11:35 PM

GSXR ordered a set from a company in the US, I'll try to doublecheck that. He said the price was lower than what KMAC was charging for direct purchases.

benzsu · #5 10-29-2006, 03:13 AM

Hey, Thanks for double checking. This is my second w124 suspension project, my first was a 86 300E with H&R w/ Bilsien Sports. This time I just replace the stock suspension with H&R springs. The ride is better than stock on smooth roads, You'll feel the bumps more on rough roads. I'll change the shocks when they are completely shot. I never had camber kits on my 86" so this time I want to do it right. Kmac should be they best option?

yal · #6 10-29-2006, 10:30 PM

http://www.speedybenz.com/

dakota · #7 10-30-2006, 01:24 AM

I ordered my K-Mac kit from www.shox.com. It was not listed on their web site direct; you have to email or call 1-800-683-2890 and they will give you a quote. My cost was US$209. This was for a '92 300CE Sportline.

benzsu · #8 10-30-2006, 01:42 AM

hey, thanks! this was just what was looking for.

benzsu · #9 10-30-2006, 01:43 AM

Which camber kit is the easiest to install? kmac or Speedybnz?

dakota · #10 10-30-2006, 09:19 AM

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.

benzsu · #11 10-30-2006, 11:31 PM

Right on Dakota, just the kind of info I needed. I have a very good mechanic but not an alignment guy. I most of the shops just don't deal with lowered cars let alone a dropped Mercedes. I don't really care about the cost of the tires, but having a car with too much negative camber is unsafe. There is no traction around corners and the car will spin out. With the correct camber the tires has more contact spot = to more grip. I tried this on my 300E, almost did a 360. This time with the E420 with all it's power I'm not taking any chances. oh Yeah, I don't have ASR. I don't mean to lecture but be safe. Thanks Dakota

yal · #12 10-31-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzsu

Which camber kit is the easiest to install? kmac or Speedybnz?

As dakota says. Get one of the kits either one will do depending on your budget and just get it all done at once by a very good competant alignment shop.

gsxr · #13 11-03-2006, 02:55 PM

Got mine at Shox.com for $209 plus S&H. Photos of the kit, and installation photos & tips, are here:
http://www.***************/forum/showthread.php?t=584

JB also installed the kit, photos are on page 2 or 3 of this thread:
http://www.***************/forum/showthread.php?t=860

Works GREAT... I much prefer it over the Speedybenz-style arms I had previously.

dakota · #14 11-03-2006, 11:18 PM

Great stuff, Dave. Thanks for the links.