500E Yet Another Alignment Thread!

[IBNR]

Hello all, I recently had a local tire & alignment shop rebuilt the RDM-TEK adjustable front camber plates on my '94 E500 with new poly bushings Jono at Blue Ridge Mercedes, and they did a very nice job. Trying to get the car into alignment, however, has resulted in the usual headaches since it was lowered (don't know how much) by a prior owner in the dim & distant past.

In short, the car pulls distinctly (though not aggressively or dangerously) to the right on all road surfaces and speeds. Attached is the most alignment spec sheet, with the two trouble areas noted in red. For the rear toe issue, I do have a set of the magic factory rear tie rod eccentric bushings, p/n 124-352-43-65, in my parts stash; I'll have the shop install those and hopefully that will take care of it. Right front caster, however, is proving to be more difficult and, looking back through my records, it appears this has been a persistent problem with this car since its very early days long before I owned it...which makes me wonder if the original owner might have hit a curb or something.

Anyway, we (the shop and I) are wondering if there are any parts or known tricks available to get a greater degree of caster adjustment than what's allowed by the factory eccentric bolt. Is there perhaps a different, or larger, eccentric bolt available that could be used to correct this problem? Or some other sort adjustment perhaps?

Any help appreciated, as always!

 

[gsxr]

Your rear toe can be pulled into spec with the eccentric bushings. Note that if you are interested in improved handling, there's a thread discussing using non-factory toe settings, worth a read before going back to the alignment rack.

The front caster is a whole 'nuther discussion. I don't know how to fix that. The chassis has welded brackets which limit how far each LCA bolt can move in/out, so getting those to move further wouldn't be easy.

As to the cause of the caster issue, my wild guesses are either LCA's out of spec (how old are they, what brand?) or the chassis was tweaked from hitting a curb at speed, or similar impact that may have bent the frame just enough to cause the caster problem. If the LCA's have been replaced and the caster issue was present before AND after, on the same side, the latter scenario seems more likely.

 

[IBNR]

Your rear toe can be pulled into spec with the eccentric bushings. Note that if you are interested in improved handling, there's a thread discussing using non-factory toe settings, worth a read before going back to the alignment rack.

The front caster is a whole 'nuther discussion. I don't know how to fix that. The chassis has welded brackets which limit how far each LCA bolt can move in/out, so getting those to move further wouldn't be easy.

As to the cause of the caster issue, my wild guesses are either LCA's out of spec (how old are they, what brand?) or the chassis was tweaked from hitting a curb at speed, or similar impact that may have bent the frame just enough to cause the caster problem. If the LCA's have been replaced and the caster issue was present before AND after, on the same side, the latter scenario seems more likely.

Thank you, Dave. So far as I know, looking through all of the records I have on this car, the front LCA's are factory original from new. I certainly haven't changed them myself in 15+ years/100K miles of ownership (just over 190K on the clock now). Do front LCA's "wear out" over time such that perhaps they're just due for a change? If so, can you confirm these as the correct p/ns:

124-330-30-07 (left)
124-330-31-07 (right) (any ideas as to why the right-side part is nearly 3X the cost of the left??)

If it's a chassis tweak, then that's just that...I'll just have to live with it I guess.

 

[gsxr]

An early 500E would use the part numbers you listed. However, if buying new, I'd strongly recommend buying the late-style LCA's (124-330-34-07 left, 124-330-35-07 right). Same price for both sides, ~$250 list, ~$180 discount. The right side is not yet NLA as of a few weeks ago, but Napsterville and most all other RevParts sites are showing it as "Discontinued". You will need to contact a live person to order the pair. And DO NOT give them your VIN, or they may "fix" your order back to the #30/31 early LCA's.

LCA's have 2 wear items, the ball joint, and the rubber bushings. Both can last a very long time, 200kmi isn't uncommon, if there are no oil leaks that destroy the bushings, and the BJ boot isn't compromised. But yeah, at 200k, they've lived a long and useful life. If you weren't having alignment issues AND they passed inspection, I'd usually say leave them alone but monitor at each oil change. Given the caster problem though, I'd fork out the $400 and cross my fingers. You'll need a spring compressor to change them, and another alignment...

 

[IBNR]

An early 500E would use the part numbers you listed. However, if buying new, I'd strongly recommend buying the late-style LCA's (124-330-34-07 left, 124-330-35-07 right).

Since my car is a 1994, I assume it would have the late-style LCA's installed from the factory, no? Strange that the early 500E parts would show up as correct for a late-production vehicle.

Anyway, thanks again...I'll get on the hunt for the 34/35 parts!

 

[gsxr]

Since my car is a 1994, I assume it would have the late-style LCA's installed from the factory, no? Strange that the early 500E parts would show up as correct for a late-production vehicle.

Anyway, thanks again...I'll get on the hunt for the 34/35 parts!

Ooops, yes, if your car is 1994 it has the late LCA's, and must have them. Normally I'd say to "rebuild" these with new OE bushings and new BJ boot, but again, your caster issue makes me wonder if it sustained a hit in the past and is tweaked.

Where did you find the 30/31 part numbers? The EPC was updated to fix this error about 15 years ago.

 

[Kyiv]

"Where did you find the 30/31 part numbers? The EPC was updated to fix this error about 15 years ago"

Dave, is there anything that you don't know?

 

[IBNR]

Ooops, yes, if your car is 1994 it has the late LCA's, and must have them. Normally I'd say to "rebuild" these with new OE bushings and new BJ boot, but again, your caster issue makes me wonder if it sustained a hit in the past and is tweaked.

Where did you find the 30/31 part numbers? The EPC was updated to fix this error about 15 years ago.

Right here...I had EPC access years ago, but let it expire.

Front Suspension for 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 500 | MB Parts Express

www.mbpartsexpress.com

 

[gsxr]

Right here...I had EPC access years ago, but let it expire.

Ah, that is a dealer website, using the Revolution Parts eCommerce platform. That catalog is riddled with errors and cannot be trusted. You MUST use the EPC to identify part numbers, then just use the dealer site to order, ignoring whatever it says about the part fitting a given year/model.

 

[IBNR]

Ah, that is a dealer website, using the Revolution Parts eCommerce platform. That catalog is riddled with errors and cannot be trusted. You MUST use the EPC to identify part numbers, then just use the dealer site to order, ignoring whatever it says about the part fitting a given year/model.

Yeah, I've known that for years but apparently too stupid to learn the lesson!

And, of course you're right about pricing and availability of the 34/35 parts and especially the "discontinued" status of the right side 35 part. It looks like Pelican Parts *might* have them, though who knows what happens when you actually try to order one...I guess I'll find out!

Mercedes Control Arm Genuine Mercedes 124.330.35.07 1243303507 124 330 35 07 124-330-35-07 | Pelican Parts

Genuine Mercedes Control Arm Call (310)626-8765. May Qualify For FREE SHIPPING. Parts# 124 330 35 07 124-330-35-07 124.330.35.07 1243303507. SL600, SL500, E500, E420, E320, 600SL, 500E, 400E, 300TE, 300E, 300CE.

www.pelicanparts.com

 

[gsxr]

I'd contact Tom Hanson at MBCC in SoCal. You'll likely get better pricing that Pelican, and he'll tell you up front if there is any issue with inventory on the right side.

 

[kwontumspeed]

Also check ebay, there was a dealer parts dept selling the 35-07 at the same price found on Revolution Parts system.

 

[IBNR]

Also check ebay, there was a dealer parts dept selling the 35-07 at the same price found on Revolution Parts system.

Yeah, good idea...there's several listings for these, actually, but difficult for me to tell which are the "good" ones and which are the "bad/cheapo" versions.

 

[kwontumspeed]

Yeah, good idea...there's several listings for these, actually, but difficult for me to tell which are the "good" ones and which are the "bad/cheapo" versions.

I searched my order history and they aren't listed anymore. It was mercedes of warwick, and they sent exactly what naperville had sent me with TRWEE stamping on it and side by side were exactly the same (boot color, markings, etc.). Not sure if you can wait but maybe they post as they become available.

Edit:

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Control Arm 124-330-35-07 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Genuine Mercedes-Benz Control Arm 124-330-35-07 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[gsxr]

Uh-oh:

 

[kwontumspeed]

Hmm. Maybe worth checking back. It showed a buy button when I was in that item. Unless someone else reading jumped on it first

 

[IBNR]

Yep...everyone has the LEFT side, but not the right. Why on earth would one side go NLA but not the other? Seriously, that's just stupid!

 

[gsxr]

As of early February 2020, my local dealership parts counter confirmed there were 31 in Germany warehouses for right LCA 124-330-35-07. That was six weeks ago, so someone will need to contact a live person to confirm current inventory levels / availability in Paragon. Seriously, don't try to do this online via web stores.

Side note, I emailed Naperville in early Feb after my dealer confirmed quantities. Asked Naper to fix their website to allow orders. Naperville never replied.

 

[IBNR]

As of early February 2020, my local dealership parts counter confirmed there were 31 in Germany warehouses for right LCA 124-330-35-07. That was six weeks ago, so someone will need to contact a live person to confirm current inventory levels / availability in Paragon. Seriously, don't try to do this online via web stores.

Side note, I emailed Naperville in early Feb after my dealer confirmed quantities. Asked Naper to fix their website to allow orders. Naperville never replied.

Absolutely! I just spoke with the parts manager at MB of Orlando (in Maitland), and was told that the magic MB parts inventory/availability system (Paragon I assume but he didn't say) indicates there are a grand total of *TWO* of the 35/right side LCAs at MB dealerships in the United States (I think he mentioned somewhere in Illinois and Texas), and they were blocked for ordering, meaning those dealerships will not send them out to other dealerships looking for them. BUT, apparently there are 15 in Germany. And, of course, plenty of 24/left side LCAs all over the place. I asked him to order a set for me, roughly $250 each. UGH!