I have a 86 420 SEL, and my wife bumped into curb, smashed the right front wheel and tire, the wheel point outwards ( toe-out). I went to a mechanic who charged me $250 and told me no warranty on anything he did. I only to find that he used a torch to twist the track rod and made me to risk myself in the dark ( I still keep the torched rod and don't know how to deal with him). I ordered track rod and installed it myself. Now I found it has too much negative camper. I used the eccentic bolt to adjust but seemed to me not much I can do (turned bolt all the way inwards and MB service manual said only -1 to + 0.75 degree posible). Is that the spindle damaged? I drive and it's OK. a little pull but I can adjust toe-in to compensate (actually while adjusting camper, I accidenly give too much toe-in, and it drive like having its own mind, I can turn two rounds steering without wheel response --- it's really scary and corrected my impression that more toe-in get more control of the car --- it's just opposite.

Now I observed both my upper and low ball joint are leaking ( maybe strted long ago, maybe after this bump). My question is: to cahnge these ball joints will help the camber problem or I have to buy a $400 spindle?

i suggest you take the car to a reputable alignment shop. there is simply no way we can diagnos your problem over the internet.

good luck

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

There are 100's of those cars in "bone" yards, get a good used one & have a new ball joint installed.

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I thank I will try that.

If you truly have too much negative camber (top of wheel is leaning inward), the symptom points to a damaged upper control arm.

Since this is unlikely, considering the type of impact, and the damage to the track rod, my guess is that you have too much positive camber (top of wheel is leaning outward). This would point to a bent lower control arm, which would be a consequence of a sever hit on the lower part of the tire. The adjustment eccentric bolt simply can't compensate for the bend in the arm.........therefore, you can't make the specification.

Additionally, IIRC, since the vehicle has a very high caster angle, the caster affects the camber to a certain degree. Most assuredly, the caster angle is screwed up, and, it's very possible that the camber can't be brought to the proper specification because of the bad caster.

Before buying parts, have a very good alignment shop check it out. You may be pleasantly suprised that the camber is adjustable within spec, after the caster is brougnt closer to the mark.

yes, after the hit, the right wheel is toe-out. I guess my wife hit the curb from inside of the right wheel, because inside rim was crooked. But after I sent to the shop, it came back with a little toe-in and neg camber, with bent torched tie rod. I changed tie rod and straight the toe, but still neg camber. I drive now, it can keep straight, what I guess is a very little toe out with a little neg camber compensate each other, but I fell free play is a bit large. ( bothh boots of upper/low joints were torn.)