2008 E350 camber -2.5deg shop says something bent - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ps2cho · #1 06-13-2015, 01:26 PM

I just got done replacing my lower control arms because the bushings were cracked. Also the ball joints and upper control arms.

I took it to the shop to get aligned this morning and the shop just called me...they told me -1.5deg camber driver and -2.5 passenger. (I used a level gauge and that's what I read too, but I thought it may have been just my gauge or garage floor etc).

He said that something must be bent somewhere. He is setting the toe up so its driveable, but obviously something is wrong on that side.
Any ideas what to do or where to look? Never ran into this before...

EDIT: PS -- there are no signs of any car accidents. Bumpers, fenders and hood are original and no signs of any paint work. Everything still has original stickers on them etc...

ps2cho · #2 06-13-2015, 03:45 PM

Here is the alignment sheet from the shop

Any hints on here?

duxthe1 · #3 06-13-2015, 05:51 PM

Check tthe distance between the spindle and the rim at the top on both sides. If its less on the right then its a bent spindle. With the low caster on the right side it probably took a pretty good whack.

ps2cho · #4 07-10-2015, 10:24 PM

Late reply...but been very busy at work. The E350 has drove exceptionally in the last month. Smooth ride, only a very, very small left pull (which I assume because of the cross-camber being off). If I hadn't have seen the alignment specs, or simply be the person who didn't care, I wouldn't even know something was off.

Getting back under the car tomorrow to measure the distance from knuckle to rim.

I gotta assume that if a knuckle bent, the rim must have bent as well. Do MB rims have a date stamp on them at all that I could look at all the wheels and see if one was replaced?

79Mercy · #5 07-11-2015, 02:04 AM

there is a bolt kit from mercedes to correct the camber and caster, however something may still be bent thats pretty far out of spec. whats the ride height did the measure it with the rhombus tool? did the dealership do this alignment.

engatwork · #6 07-11-2015, 07:07 AM

^as he said. Put camber adjustment bolt kit in and put back on alignment machine. It is pretty obvious how it works. The way it works is a neat design in my opinion.

ps2cho · #7 07-11-2015, 08:58 AM

I already have the camber kit in. It's not an adjustment issue. The camber kits only do about 0.4deg or adjustment not a full degree.

I will also measure ride height today!

Yes it was dealership aligned. I have a feeling they didn't really care or know the W124's well these days, so didn't want to look up how to diagnose and just took a guess.

ps2cho · #8 07-28-2015, 08:42 PM

Here's some photos. Sorry for them being bad, I cannot find my dirty dedicated garage camera anywhere!

Looks like its a bent knuckle to me. The front wheels are off the ground, but that shouldn't change any distances from the knuckle to the tire.

Just want to have a second opinion/confirmation before I spend $550 on a new knuckle.

Do MB Wheels have manufacturing stamps on them? If it hit a curb the wheel MUST have been bent and replaced.

duxthe1 · #9 07-28-2015, 11:00 PM

In the last two pics you can see the wheel closer to the spindle on the passenger side. Thats causing your excessive camber on the right. Well at least most of it.... all bets are off when it comes to making a 211 track straight.

ps2cho · #10 07-28-2015, 11:24 PM

Alright I'll get it ordered soon!
At least it comes with new wheel bearings too.

Any Ideas If MB stamps a date code on rims? I cannot believe a bent knuckle wouldn't have bent a rim as well.

Hirnbeiss · #11 07-29-2015, 07:50 AM

Is it possible that the issue is caused by the replacement upper control arm? What brand was it?

I don't think we can tell the knuckle is bent form the picture.

ps2cho · #12 07-29-2015, 08:44 AM

Issue was present before the upper arm was replaced..
wish it were that easy!

ps2cho · #13 07-30-2015, 05:49 PM

I have not ever had a 4matic before.

Is it worth replacing the axle shaft boots with everything exposed? They are not split or anything just a little dirty.

What's the norm? I have 108k on the car.

Zulfiqar · #14 08-03-2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

I have not ever had a 4matic before.

Is it worth replacing the axle shaft boots with everything exposed? They are not split or anything just a little dirty.

What's the norm? I have 108k on the car.

if the boots are not cracked or torn - just a good soap n water clean with a followup of 303 protectant wiped off on them is good practice (overkill I believe)