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Front wheel Alignment caster & camber problem; Advice needed
Topic Started: Sat Jul 4, 2009 1:50 pm (4,143 Views)
alogaparaloga
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crazy mind
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Since I bought the car more than a year ago, I knew there was a caster angle problem.
I was changing suspension components and now everything is in good condition.

I was looking for the alignment to be done by Mercedes but the 200.00 they ask, are holding me back.

So today I went to a garage that has a contract with mercedes and they do Alignment for the dealership.

This garage asked for 45.00 for the job.

Now focus on the problem.

Posted Image

Posted Image

The car is lowered with 40mm drop on springs. The pads are 13mm for the REAR and 8mm for the FRONT

Should the camber and caster be different than those given by Mercedes?
If yes, can some one advise on their values?

The car now has better feeling on the road, I does not appear to pull left any more and loose steering when turning left and precise when turning right has been fixed.

Please advice as I know that the car is not set correctly.


Ah and one good thing is that the garage didn't charge me as they delayed me by one Hour.

Thanks in advance,
Menios
Edited by alogaparaloga, Sun Jul 5, 2009 12:03 am.
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Stempies
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Hot Lips
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The fact that it's lowered will affect the original values.

You can find the original figures (believe it or not) in the Haynes manual!

If these are no good, give me awhile and i will look through my tech. spec. books!
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alogaparaloga
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crazy mind
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I know the original values. The problem is that I have reach the limit of both camber and caster angles from the eccentric bolts, and this is how far it goes.
I cannot reduce the values any more.
Edited by alogaparaloga, Sat Jul 4, 2009 3:03 pm.
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Chris Martens
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Part of things
[ *  * ]
Menios,

the car is old and it's lowered.
Considering this the values are "normal".

Camber at the rear wheels is too much and will eat the inside of the tires.
Change the camber struts to get (almost) back to spec.
Camber strut can be changed without the need for a new alignment.

At the front axle change the inner rubber bushings of the wishbones or use new wischbones.
But the front is not that bad as the rear is.

Two weeks ago I overhauled rear and front axles of my 1984 valver.
New struts and rubber all around.
It's some work but worth it.

good luck,
Christian
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shrekky
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Troll hunter
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Chris Martens
Sat Jul 4, 2009 3:16 pm
Menios,

the car is old and it's lowered.
Considering this the values are "normal".

Camber at the rear wheels is too much and will eat the inside of the tires.
Change the camber struts to get (almost) back to spec.
Camber strut can be changed without the need for a new alignment.

At the front axle change the inner rubber bushings of the wishbones or use new wischbones.
But the front is not that bad as the rear is.

Two weeks ago I overhauled rear and front axles of my 1984 valver.
New struts and rubber all around.
It's some work but worth it.

good luck,
Christian
i'm with chris........................otherwise the only other route to get full adjustable camber arms,like the ones dave_irl is selling


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Richy190E
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bubble bubble
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Or if his are sold i'll make you a set :)
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alogaparaloga
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crazy mind
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Thanks for the replies... Glad I didn't go to the dealership for this job, as new bushes and labour + alignment would cost me 600.00 pounds based on their software...

So I ll have more money to spend on the car, but not in 2009 I suppose.
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alogaparaloga
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crazy mind
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I just revised all the work I have done to the car regarding the suspension, and the state of the parts.

Shock absorbers and springs changed in October 2008,
Absorber Rubber mounts changed in Oct 2008 too.
New spring pads and new O/S tie rod Oct 2008

Complete Wishbones where changed by the previous owner about 4 years ago, and mileage on them is about 20K maybe less.
Changed N/S lower ball joint in Jun 2009 due to broken rubber boot.

Everything was inspected 2 weeks ago at the dealership for play and wear, and they found all the components in top condition.


I am trying to locate the problem of the Caster angle as it is about 2 degrees out of specification.

Any ideas????

Could be the front shock absorber mounts misaligned? is there any space for adjustability on the stock mounts so that the caster angle could be altered?
Edited by alogaparaloga, Mon Jul 6, 2009 9:47 pm.
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chunky
16v ring toy
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my best mate works in tyre industry and his workshop has a very good alignment machine and after lowering my 2.3 16v he re-set everything for me so all track/caster/camber are spot on, and they are evo1/2 settings. i've also got a print out of the results !
Edited by chunky, Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:48 pm.
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