Vehicle Height Question
 

So I'm still working on my wheel/tire upgrade thing. And in the process of doing this, I've found that my car sits crooked. The drivers side sits about half an inch lower than the passengers side. I measured the edge of the wheel opening at the axle line by holding a level horizontally up against it (leveling it of course), and then placing a yard stick vertically up as close to the wheel as possible. And because the yard stick has levels built into it, I also made sure it was upright that way. I took the measurement where the two met.

On the drivers side, I get 26 3/8", and on the passenger side I get 26 7/8".

I've looked all over the factory service CD and an aftermarket manual I have, and all I can find on this is some specs in millimeters, but neither explains what they mean or where the measuring points are on the car.

I bought the car off the original owner, and to the best of my knowledge, the car has never been wrecked, with the exception of having a tow hitch shoved directly into the front of the car. And it wasn't shoved very far in to begin with. So I don't see where the repair of this would cause the difference.

Can anyone explain how and where to take these measurements and what they should be?

As always, thanks!

Wendell

Air pressure in the tires should be equal on each side - also, tire tread wear differences would have a small effect. If there are no descrepancies here, then you must have a suspension issue (slightly weak spring, control arm resistance difference, etc).

I would think this is more of an esthetics problem, rather than something serious.

Frankly,

Works for me. The tire pressure is 36 front, and 34 rear on both sides, and the tires are all but new, so I don't see a problem there.

If it won't affect the car's handling, then I'm gonna let the upcoming wheel alignment ride!

Thanks,
Wendell

Wendell:

It would help to know the year, model, and engine of your M-B. Some M-B's have spacers that go on the rear springs to level the rear end. Also, do you have anything real heavy in the trunk especially on the side that is lower?

Good Luck!
Tom

Good point. Sorry for that "slight" omission. It's an '89 300E with about a quarter million mostly highway miles. The motor is the 3.0 six, and I just have the standard automatic tranny. The car wasn't used for any towing. I keep nothing in the trunk other than the factory spare.

Thanks Again!
W

Wendell:

Check out a MB chassis manual for your car as there is an allowed height difference between the left and right sides. If my memory is any good, that maximum allowed difference is about 15 mm (or a little over half in).

It is like the allowed oil consumption rate. Some do not like any oil consumption so they fix it. Some live within the allowed amount for years. If you do not like the height difference even if it is within the specs, then have it equalized.

I just checked the chassis manual for W124. Here is the info.

Using a tape measure and measure from center of wheel to fender cutout. The maximum height difference between left and right, front or rear, should not exceed 15 mm.

I did some research...
 

before I changed the springs and struts in my car. I could not find any numbers in the manuals I have(CD and books). They only mentioned the rubber pads for the springs to get the car to factory specs but, NO specs, if I remember correctly.
In your case, I would look at the struts, rear shocks,, springs, sway bars(specially), and all the front and rear end, for that matter, for damage or signs of wear.
I had a leaky rear shock.:rolleyes:
Good luck!