CHECKING RIDING HEIGHT
Note. This procedure does not apply to CL500 (2000), S430, S500 (2000), ML320, ML430 or ML55. Information for these models is not available.
Note. Measuring Device (201 589 00 21 00) and (201 589 01 21 00) must be used to check ride height. It is necessary to check vehicle riding height using a servicing pit or alignment rack. Vehicle weight must be on wheels.
Note. On vehicles with Adaptive Damping System (ADS), ensure oil level in level control system is full and system is functioning properly. If vehicle with ADS is too low, level must NOT be corrected by modifying connecting rod of the level control. Check level control system functions. Adjust vehicle level by changing springs or spring rubber mounts. See ADJUSTING RIDING HEIGHT .
Front Axle (C230, C280, C43, CLK320, CLK430, CL500 (1999), E300 Turbo Diesel, E320, E430, E55, S320, S420, S500 (1999), SL500 & SLK230)
- Lift and support vehicle. Remove engine splash-shield (if necessary). Lower vehicle. Bounce vehicle several times to settle suspension. Position Measuring Device (201 589 00 21 00) between front and rear eccentric bolts on wishbone mounts (lower control arm). (Scheme 2)
- Ensure measuring device is positioned so scale can be read from center of vehicle. When measuring right side of vehicle, use "+" and "-" signs on upper section of scale. When measuring left side of vehicle, use "-" and "+" signs on lower section of scale. See «FRONT RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S39677694772000091300000) table. If riding height is not within specification, repair or replace suspension components as necessary. See «ADJUSTING RIDING HEIGHT»(ref-4534-S35623365462000070500000).
Scheme 2
Rear Axle (C230, C280, C43, CLK320, CLK430, CL500 (1999), E300 Turbo Diesel, E320, E430, E55, S320, S420, S500 (1999) & SL500)
Note. Vehicles with Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) are equipped with a wear indicator for both front and rear axle. When measuring rear axle, unclip wear indicator cable holder from spring link.
- Position Measuring Device (201 589 01 21 00) swivel arm on inside of spring link. (Scheme 3) Position measuring device contact arm on rear axle shaft. Read plumb value of vehicle. Ensure measuring device is positioned so scale can be read from center of vehicle.
- When measuring right side of vehicle, use "+" and "-" signs on upper section of scale. When measuring left side of vehicle, use "-" and "+" signs on lower section of scale. See «REAR RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S13281436602000091300000) table. If riding height is not within specification, repair or replace suspension components as necessary. See «ADJUSTING RIDING HEIGHT»(ref-4534-S35623365462000070500000).
Scheme 3
Rear Axle (SLK230)
- If vehicle is equipped with Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR), remove bracket from sprag link. On all models, position measuring device (201 589 01 21 00) on rear wheel drive shaft. (Scheme 4) Read plumb value of vehicle. Ensure measuring device is positioned so scale can be read from center of vehicle.
- When measuring right side of vehicle, use "+" and "-" signs on upper section of scale. When measuring left side of vehicle, use "-" and "+" signs on lower section of scale. See «REAR RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S13281436602000091300000) table. If riding height is not within specification, repair or replace suspension components as necessary. See «ADJUSTING RIDING HEIGHT»(ref-4534-S35623365462000070500000).
| Application | Mm | |
|---|---|---|
| C230 & C280 | ||
| Classic/Elegance | +30 (-15/+10) | |
| Esprit/Sport/Sports Suspension | +4 (-15/+10) | |
| Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +46 (-15/+10) | |
| AMG Sports Suspension | 15 (-10/+5) | |
| C43 | 15 (-10/+5) | |
| CLK320 & CLK430 | ||
| Elegance/Sport | +4 (-15/+10) | |
| CL500 (1999), S320, S420, S500 (1999) | ||
| Without Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +10 (-15/+10) | |
| With Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +40 (-15/+10) | |
| E300 Turbo Diesel, E320, E430 | ||
| Classic/Elegance | +9 (-15/+10) | |
| Avantgarde/Sports Suspension | 18 (-15/+10) | |
| Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +24 (-15/+10) | |
| E320, E430 | ||
| With AMG Sports Suspension | 20 (-10/+5) | |
| E55 | 18 (-10/+5) | |
| SL500 | ||
| Without AMG Sports Suspension | +14 (-15/+10) | |
| With AMG Sports Suspension | 15 (-10/+5) | |
| With Adaptive Damping System (1) | +4 (-10/+10) | |
| SLK230 | ||
| Without AMG Lowering Kit | +3 (-15/+10) | |
| With AMG Lowering Kit | 20 (-5/+5) | |
| (1) Level control switch must be off. | ||
| (1) | Level control switch must be off. |
FRONT RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | Mm | |
|---|---|---|
| C230 & C280 | ||
| Classic/Elegance Without Level Control | +24 (-10/+10) | |
| Classic/Elegance With Level Control | +20 (-10/+10) | |
| Esprit/Sport/Sports Suspension Without Level Control | 2 (-10/+10) | |
| Esprit/Sport/Sports Suspension With Level Control | 5 (-10/+10) | |
| Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +45 (-10/+10) | |
| AMG Sports Suspension | 0 (-10/+5) | |
| C43 | 0 (-10/+5) | |
| CL500 (1999), S320, S420, S500 (1999) | ||
| Without Level Control | +13 (-10/+10) | |
| With Level Control | +6 (-10/+10) | |
| Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +43 (-10/+10) | |
| CLK320 & CLK430 (Except Cabriolet Models) | ||
| Elegance Without Level Control/Sport | +3 (-10/+10) | |
| Elegance With Level Control/Sport | 5 (-10/+10) | |
| CLK320 & CLK430 (Cabriolet Models) | +11 (-10/+10) | |
| E300 Turbo Diesel, E320 (Except Wagon), E430, E55 | ||
| Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance | +37 (-10/+10) | |
| Classic/Elegance Without Level Control | +14 (-10/+10) | |
| Classic/Elegance With Level Control | +5 (-10/+10) | |
| Avantgarde/Sports Suspension Without Level Control | 5 (-10/+10) | |
| Avantgarde/Sports Suspension With Level Control | 10 (-10/+10) | |
| AMG Sports Suspension | 3 (-10/+5) | |
| E320 (Wagon) | ||
| Avantgarde/Sports Suspension | 3 (-10/+10) | |
| Classic/Elegance | +21 (-10/+10) | |
| E55 | 5 (-10/+5) | |
| SL500 | ||
| Without AMG Sports Suspension | +5 (-10/+10) | |
| With AMG Sports Suspension | 10 (-10/+5) | |
| With Adaptive Damping Suspension | 7 (-10/+5) | |
| SLK230 | ||
| Without AMG Lowering Kit | +8 (-10/+10) | |
| With AMG Lowering Kit | 0 (-5/+5) | |
REAR RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
Front Axle
- On vehicles with incorrect vehicle level at front axle, adjust ride height by changing front springs and/or front spring rubber mounts. Front spring rubber mounts are available in 5 different sizes to correct vehicle ride height.
- Front spring rubber mounts are identified by the number of nubs on rubber mount. See «SPRING RUBBER MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S20134167232000091300000) table. If vehicle is not level after replacing rubber spring mounts, it may be necessary to replace springs. Always replace springs in pairs. Maximum difference between left and right side of vehicle is 9 mm.
Rear Axle
- On vehicles with rear level control, DO NOT correct vehicle level at rear axle which is too low by changing connecting rod of level controller. Check level control for system operation. Level control is operating if vehicle rear ride height raises and lowers when additional weight is added or removed from vehicle.
- If level control is operating, adjust vehicle level by changing rear springs and/or rear spring rubber mounts. Rear spring rubber mounts are available in 4 different sizes to correct vehicle riding height. Rear spring rubber mounts are identified by the number of nubs on rubber mount. See «SPRING RUBBER MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S20134167232000091300000) table. If vehicle is not level after replacing rubber spring mounts, it may be necessary to replace springs. Always replace springs in pairs. Maximum difference between left and right side of vehicle is 9 mm.
| Millimeter Height | Number Of Nubs |
|---|---|
| 5 | 1 |
| 9 | 2 |
| 13 | 3 |
| 17 | 4 |
| 21 (1) | 5 |
| (1) Only available for front springs. | |
| (1) | Only available for front springs. |
SPRING RUBBER MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS
ADJUSTING CONTROL POINT OF LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM
Note. Ensure riding height is within specification. See CHECKING RIDING HEIGHT .
CL500 (1999), S320, S420 & S500 (1999)
- Ensure oil level in level control system is correct. Place Measuring Device (201 589 01 21 00) on rear axle. (Scheme 4) Using Pulling Device (201 589 11 31 00) and Angle Retainers (140 589 37 63 00), pull down rear suspension until riding height is to specification. See «CONTROL POINT OF LEVEL CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S02612740022000091400000) table.
- Insert a 4 mm alignment pin through hole in adjusting lever of level controller. see scheme 4 If alignment tool cannot be pushed though positioning hole in level controller, go to next step. If alignment tool can be pushed though positioning hole in level controller, alignment is okay.
- Loosen adjusting device of connecting rod. Using 4 mm alignment pin, align adjusting lever with positioning hole in level controller. Tighten adjusting device of connecting rod. Remove 4 mm alignment pin. Remove all tools and test drive vehicle.
E300 Turbo Diesel, E320, E430 & E55
- Ensure oil level in level control system is correct. Place Measuring Device (201 589 01 21 00) on rear axle. (Scheme 4) Using Pulling Device (201 589 11 31 00), pull down rear suspension until riding height is to specification. See «CONTROL POINT OF LEVEL CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-4534-S02612740022000091400000) table.
- Insert a 4 mm alignment pin through hole in adjusting lever of level controller. see scheme 4 If alignment tool cannot be pushed though positioning hole in level controller, go to next step. If alignment tool can be pushed though positioning hole in level controller, alignment is okay.
- Loosen adjusting device of connecting rod. Using 4 mm alignment pin, align adjusting lever with positioning hole in level controller. Tighten adjusting device of connecting rod. Remove 4 mm alignment pin. Remove all tools and test drive vehicle.
| Application | Mm | |
|---|---|---|
| C230, C280 & C43 | ||
| Classic/Elegance | 0 (-10/+10) | |
| Esprit/Sport Suspension | 25 (-10/+10) | |
| CL500 (1999), S320, S420 & S500 (1999) | 15 (-10/+10) | |
| CLK320 & CLK430 | 25 (-10/+10) | |
| E300 Turbo Diesel, E320 (Except Wagon & 4-Matic), E430, E55 | ||
| Without Avantgarde/Sports Suspension | 8 (-10/+10) | |
| Avantgarde/Sports Suspension | 25 (-10/+10) | |
| E320 (Wagon & All 4-Matic Models) | 0 (-10/+10) | |
CONTROL POINT OF LEVEL CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
Scheme 4
JACKING & HOISTING
Note. The illustration DOES NOT represent the exact frame, underbody or body outline structure. see scheme 7 Use illustration as point of reference only.
FLOOR JACK OR HOIST
Shaded areas indicate approximate underbody and frame areas for raising and supporting vehicle with floor jack or hoist. see scheme 7
EMERGENCY JACKING
Points designated by circular dots on body outline are for use with vehicle's jack. see scheme 7 If using floor jack or hoist, raise vehicle carefully to avoid damaging outer body shell.
