Wheel Alignment Specifications & Procedures: Adjustments Mercedes-Benz S-class W220 facelift

PREPARATION FOR RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

Note. Vehicle riding height and vehicle level may be considered the same measurement. Depending on chassis number these measurements may vary in procedure: mechanical gauges for riding height versus electronic measuring instruments for vehicle level.

Note. Follow preparation for riding height and vehicle level adjustment as described, except for vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC).

For Vehicles Not Equipped With Active Body Control (ABC) - Prepare for checking riding height or vehicle level, by ensuring vehicle is in "ready to drive condition," and that all fluid levels are at their proper levels. Inspect wheels for damage, check tires for proper inflation, note tire wear indications and tread depth. Ensure spare tire is in trunk with tools, remove any extra items from vehicle (luggage, etc.), and ensure fuel tank is full. If fuel tank is less than full, substitute missing fuel with approximately 6 lbs. of weight for each gallon of missing fuel.

For Vehicles Equipped With Active Body Control (ABC) - See FRONT & REAR AXLE (WITH ACTIVE BODY CONTROL) under CHECKING RIDING HEIGHT.

Adjustment (Without Active Body Control)

Vehicle manufacturer does not provide procedure(s) for riding height (vehicle level) adjustments.

Adjustment (With Active Body Control)

Vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) requires the use of Mercedes-Benz "STAR DIAGNOSIS" compact PC (6511 1801 00) for calibration of vehicle riding height. See instrument manufacturer for tool usage. Check level control for system operation. If level control is operating, replace appropriate worn, loose or bent components. See appropriate SUSPENSION ARTICLE.

Adjustments Hints

1. Loosen hex nuts on lower wishbone mount to adjust camber (front eccentric bolt) and caster (rear eccentric bolt). When tightening hex nuts, after adjustment, hold eccentric bolts. Tighten nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-164868-S30129231322004081700000) .
2. Check toe-in. Center steering wheel and install holder. Adjust to specifications. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-164868-S37327754202004081700000) table. On vehicles with rack and pinion steering, ensure rubber boot on inner tie rod is not twisted.

CHECK & ADJUST REAR TOE ANGLE

Note. Observe general information on chassis alignment. See GENERAL INFORMATION ON CHASSIS ALIGNMENT .

Note. For alignment specifications and values, see WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. For tool identification see scheme 33under SPECIAL TOOLS.

Note. During procedures number(s) and letter(s) in parentheses correspond to number(s) and letter(s) inside the illustration(s). The word arrow(s) in parentheses is used to point out specific components or movement.

Adjustments

1. Check riding height (vehicle level) at front and rear and bring to specification if required. See «CHECKING RIDING HEIGHT»(ref-164868-S17184847892004081700000) under RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS.
2. Adjust toe-in with cam bolt (60a) at the mount of the tie rod (60) at rear axle carrier. (Scheme 5)
3. Check overall toe-in at rear axle. Observe permissible difference in rear toe between right and left side of vehicle. Tighten self-locking nut (tie rod-to-rear axle carrier). See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-164868-S07297672412004081700000) table.
4. If specifications can not be attained, the rubber mount installed as standard (60b) can be replace by an eccentric rubber mount (60c). (Scheme 5)and (Scheme 6).
5. The offset of.059" (1.5 mm) makes it possible to decrease the toe-in by 15 seconds (A) or to increase the toe-in by 15 seconds (B). (Scheme 6)
6. Replace standard rubber mount (60b) with replacement eccentric rubber mount (60c). See appropriate SUSPENION article.

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

CHECK & ADJUST CAMBER AT REAR AXLE

Note. Observe general information on chassis alignment. See GENERAL INFORMATION ON CHASSIS ALIGNMENT .

Note. For alignment specifications and values, see WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table.

Camber at the rear axle is not adjustable. If substantial deviation in rear camber exist possible causes could be: excessive difference in riding height between right and left sides of vehicle or accident damage.

CHECK & ADJUST CAMBER & CASTER AT FRONT AXLE

Note. Observe general information on chassis alignment. See GENERAL INFORMATION ON CHASSIS ALIGNMENT .

Note. For alignment specifications and values, see WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. For torque specifications and values, see TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.

Note. For tool identification. See SPECIAL TOOLS .

Note. During procedures number(s) and letter(s) in parentheses correspond to number(s) and letter(s) inside the illustration(s). The word arrow(s) in parentheses is used to point out specific components or movement.

For check and adjustment procedures, refer to illustration. (Scheme 7)or (Scheme 8). For repair requiring bolt replacement. See INSTALL REPAIR BOLT (RWD) or INSTALL REPAIR BOLT (4MATIC).

1. Observe general information on chassis alignment. See «GENERAL INFORMATION ON CHASSIS ALIGNMENT»(ref-164868-S36828760642004081700000).
2. Check riding height (vehicle level) at front and rear axles with electronic inclinometer and adjust if necessary. See «RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS»(ref-164868-S15651245702004081700000).
3. Check camber and assign to tabular value. Check camber at vehicle riding height (vehicle level).
4. Check permissible difference in front axle camber between right and left sides of the vehicle.
5. Check caster and assign to tabular value. Check permissible difference in front axle caster between right and left sides of the vehicle. If specification are beyond tolerance install Repair Bolt (repair bolt is necessary for camber/caster adjustments).
6. Raise vehicle at front axle. Install repair bolt (19c), if found necessary. Refer to procedure and illustrations. See «INSTALL REPAIR BOLT (RWD)»(ref-164868-S28914250052004081700000).
7. Screw on the nut (19b) from the repair kit as far as it will go, but do not tighten it so that the rubber mount on the torque strut (18) or spring link (17) can turn when the suspension is compressed and rebounded.
8. Recheck riding height (vehicle level) at front axle after adjusting the camber and caster. The vehicle level must match the dimension established on the initial measurement. See «CHECKING RIDING HEIGHT»(ref-164868-S17184847892004081700000).
9. Tighten nut (19b) from repair kit, the repair bolt (19c) must not be turned after fixing. When tightening the nut (19b) from the repair kit, always counter hold (with tool) the repair bolt (19c) otherwise the locating tabs in the rubber mount on the torque strut (18) or spring link (17) will be sheared off. see scheme 10
10. Tighten self-locking nut (19b). See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-164868-S30129231322004081700000).
11. Check toe on front and rear axles and make adjustments if necessary. See «GENERAL INFORMATION ON CHASSIS ALIGNMENT»(ref-164868-S36828760642004081700000).

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

CHECK & ADJUST FRONT TOE ANGLE

Note. Observe general information on chassis alignment. See GENERAL INFORMATION ON CHASSIS ALIGNMENT .

Note. For alignment specifications and values, see WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. For torque specifications and values, see TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. For tool identification. see scheme 31under SPECIAL TOOLS.

Note. During procedures number(s) and letter(s) in parentheses correspond to number(s) and letter(s) inside the illustration(s). The word arrow(s) in parentheses is used to point out specific components or movement.

For check and adjustment procedure refer to illustrations. (Scheme 9)- (Scheme 12).

1. Swing the sun visor to the side, fix the steering wheel in the center position and install the holding device (055). (Scheme 9)
2. Check center position of steering gear and steering wheel. The steering gear is in the center position when the marking on the cap matches the marking on the control valve housing (arrow). (Scheme 10)
3. If markings line up, but steering wheel is off center, if necessary, remove steering wheel and move by a maximum of one tooth on steering shaft. Disable AIRBAG: For 2001-03 models, see «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-154251-S35842622112003051500000) under Mercedes-Benz in AIR BAG DEACTIVATION PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION. For 2004 models, see «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-163426-S05874144382004062900000) in AIR BAG DEACTIVATION PROCEDURES - Mercedes-Benz article in GENERAL INFORMATION.
4. Install wheel spreader (030) at the front on the inside of the wheel. (Scheme 11)
5. Make adjustment toe angle if necessary. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-164868-S37327754202004081700000) table.
6. Adjust toe-in, loosen the locknut (10f) and twist the tie rod (10). Bring into specification. (Scheme 12)
7. Check that the CV boot is not twisted after adjusting toe-angle.
8. Tighten locking nut for tie rod on inner tie rod. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-164868-S30129231322004081700000).

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Vehicle manufacturer does not provide procedure(s) for "toe out on turns" adjustments. Make appropriate corrections as necessary.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22