RDM camber plates available?

[DarkStar]

I think I need some....

 

[gsxr]

Yikes. You are overdue for new strut mounts. Those are borderline dangerous. Nice KONI's, btw.

The RDM TEK fancy aluminum mounts (photos here) are out of production and I doubt you'll find any for sale, unless someone was hoarding a set they decided not to use. They were $499/pr when new. I'd get new OE/OEM mounts.

If you don't mind China parts, the Meyle "HD" mounts are significantly more beefy than the standard design. I've used these on a couple of cars with good results, but I'll be watching them closely. I just got a set of new Febi mounts and they were also made in China. If you want the best shot at real German parts, you'll have to order the OE/dealer mounts. More and more of the aftermarket parts are produced in China now, some may be ok quality, some may not be.

 

[DarkStar]

Thanks Dave,

Once everything is made in China...we won't be able to compare...

As for beefy...that is good.

I wish I would have bought the RDM TEK mounts, had a great deal on a set years ago, didn't pull the trigger as I didn't think I needed to do it too quickly.

What tools are required? Spring compressor? Anything else?

Koni adjustables (RENNTech with swaybar and H&R Springs)

 

[gsxr]

I highly recommend using a spring compressor for safety while doing this job, but some brave not-too-bright folks have attempted it without the safety net. Otherwise you'll just need general hand tools. The annoying part is trying to get the strut shaft compressed while you wiggle the mount in & out. A second set of hands is definitely helpful. Replace the three self-lockings nuts on the mounts, or use blue Loc-Tite on the old ones. An alignment may not be required afterwards unless you notice the steering wheel is off-center while going straight down the road.

FWIW, the RDM TEK mounts were way cool and all, but IMO they were a bit overkill for street use as we don't need additional camber adjustment up front. And since they push the strut stop buffers 15+mm down compared to stock, if the car is lowered at all (i.e. with H&R's), you'd need to trim the buffer to allow some suspension travel instead of sitting on the stops. The H&R's lower too much up front and not enough in the rear, but that's a whole 'nuther topic.

 

[gerryvz]

RDM TEK tells me (just now, in correspondence) that the original cost of the upper strut mounts was $500; today that cost would likely be $600+ because the cost of 6061 T-6 grade aluminum has gone up over the past few years by several hundred percent

I doubt if there are enough folks here who would want to pay $600 for a pair of mounts. I don't think it's feasible and they would want to do at least 12-13 pairs of them at a time. Don't think we have those numbers.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[T-500]

FWIW, the RDM TEK mounts were way cool and all, but IMO they were a bit overkill for street use as we don't need additional camber adjustment up front. And since they push the strut stop buffers 15+mm down compared to stock, if the car is lowered at all (i.e. with H&R's), you'd need to trim the buffer to allow some suspension travel instead of sitting on the stops. The H&R's lower too much up front and not enough in the rear, but that's a whole 'nuther topic.

At the risk of being off-topic, Dave, are you saying that my car will be 1.5 cm lower in the front when I install my RDM's ??

 

[gsxr]

No - swapping the strut mounts does not change ride height measureably, but if you are replacing stock strut mounts with RDM TEK front strut mounts, you'll have approx 15mm less suspension travel up front (with stock springs). With lowering springs like H&R's, front suspension travel will go from near zero to actually zero with the RDM TEK mounts; i.e. it will be sitting on the suspension stops (aka strut stop buffers).

 

[jhodg5ck]

I Love, Love, Love my RDM's..I'd pay 600 for a set @ this point after playing with these.

jono

 

[freshjive80]

I Love, Love, Love my RDM's..I'd pay 600 for a set @ this point after playing with these.

jono

I would love a set too! Count me in if we ever get a group buy

 

[DarkStar]

Gerry - Thanks....I figured it might be something I could look into but finding enough people to make it worthwhile for RDM would be hard.
Thanks for checking on it.

Dave - agree, a bit overkill as the camber is not a big issue up front and on the street.
I think I will have to pickup a set of OEM mounts.
I have access to the correct spring compressor.

Jono - It's nice to hear that the product works from someone who knows what they are talking about. You are compiling quite a collection! I need to get back to Hotlanta and drop in.

 

[J-Sauce]

I've got a set that isn't really for sale. But $600 is tempting if anyone was willing to pay that for a set that has been used for 1 year...

 

[gerryvz]

If we can get 10 sets at $600 paid up front, I think they will do this. Just so you know, the total cash I took in from the RDM TEK LCAs was around $5,500.... so this is a significant chunk of change. I'm happy to collect but we'd need to do this quickly, and we'd need at minimum 10 sets, preferably he's looking to make 25 sets to make it worthwhile.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[freshjive80]

Well there's two people on this thread and I know of one other guy on the 190 forums who is also looking for a set

 

[gerryvz]

"Looking for a set" and a firm commitment to pounding out $600 + shipping are very different things. I will need to have 10-15 SOLID orders with money in hand to do this. The $600 that these will cost is double the $300 of the LCAs. And it took months to scrape together the LCA Group Buy. I'm happy to coordinate this with RDM TEK, but I need someone to get together firm commitments in hand. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and people always flake out at the last minute. We even had commitment in our LCA Group Buy but when it came time to ante up, the committer was nowhere to be found. At $600+, you're talking an order of magnitude more difficulty in getting commitments, particularly in this economy.

I'm just being realistic, here. Not saying it's impossible, just improbable.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[need2speed]

Seriously folks, you really want a set of these....I know they aren't as sexy as wheels and other cosmetics but, like good tires, this is one performance part that returns the investment!

 

[sheward]

Dean. I like the idea of increased rigidity in the strut mounts especially if it results in better road feel and handling however i'm concerned that it will affect the general smoothness of the car since i don't track / race it. Would you (or others that are using RDM camber plates ) describe how it affects the ride quality?

drew

 

[500AMM]

"Looking for a set" and a firm commitment to pounding out $600 + shipping are very different things. I will need to have 10-15 SOLID orders with money in hand to do this. The $600 that these will cost is double the $300 of the LCAs. And it took months to scrape together the LCA Group Buy. I'm happy to coordinate this with RDM TEK, but I need someone to get together firm commitments in hand. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and people always flake out at the last minute. We even had commitment in our LCA Group Buy but when it came time to ante up, the committer was nowhere to be found. At $600+, you're talking an order of magnitude more difficulty in getting commitments, particularly in this economy.

I'm just being realistic, here. Not saying it's impossible, just improbable.

Cheers,
Gerry

Gerry,

I did a quick check on our MB Entusiastklubb, and one member like to sign up for a set. (price as described by you, $600 + shipping). I also warned him about the possible long term delivery time it could be. However, maybe this could be a start on a group buy.

-arnt-

 

[gerryvz]

Arnt,

I am sad to say it so bluntly, but it ain't gonna happen.

 

[gsxr]

Dean. I like the idea of increased rigidity in the strut mounts especially if it results in better road feel and handling however i'm concerned that it will affect the general smoothness of the car since i don't track / race it. Would you (or others that are using RDM camber plates ) describe how it affects the ride quality?

Drew, it makes the ride slightly firmer, but the reason is more due to the reduced travel, rather than increased rigidity of the mount. With stock springs & ride height, it should be fine. With lowering springs (i.e., H&R) you would need to trim the stop buffer to adjust for the modified dimensions in the RDM TEK mount compared to stock. There is reduced body roll as well, for the same reason - less travel before you hit the stop buffers.

FYI: RDM TEK designed the mounts like this on purpose. The reason was to simulate the AMG strut shaft spacer that is needed on standard W124's with oversize wheels/tires, to reduce suspension travel, and eliminate the tire rubbing the fender. This isn't needed on the 500E with flared fenders. On a lowered 500E it will be on the stops with RDM TEK mounts unless you trim the buffer slightly, say 10mm or so. I have them on both my 500's with stock springs, stock struts, and stock buffers... works fine.

 

[sheward]

Thanks for the explanation, Dave!

drew