General information
Wheel alignment has a significant effect on vehicle stability, tire wear and fuel consumption. Angles are given in Specifications.
Camber is the tilt of the wheel in a vertical plane relative to the center line of the car. It can be positive if the wheels are tilted outward or negative if the wheels are tilted inward. The camber angle mainly affects the uniformity of front tire wear. If the camber of one wheel is positive and the other is negative, then the car will pull to the side when driving in a straight line.
Convergence - the lateral distance between the wheels. Positive toe means the wheels are closer together at the front than at the rear when measured at wheel midpoint height. Negative toe means that the wheels are further apart at the front than at the rear.
The lateral inclination of the axis of rotation of the wheel is the angle between the axis of inclination of the steering knuckle and the vertical drawn through the wheel attachment point, looking in the longitudinal direction of the car.
Due to the camber angles and the transverse inclination of the axis of rotation, the points of contact of the wheels with the road are located closer to the axis of the steering knuckle. This supports the so-called «running shoulder», the easier it is to drive. Also, bumps from uneven surfaces are less transmitted to the steering.
Longitudinal inclination of the axis of rotation of the wheel. The axis about which the wheel turns is placed in space so that its lower part is directed forward. Such an angle of longitudinal inclination is called positive. With a positive value of the angle, the self-return of the wheel to the middle position after the turn is improved.
Conditions for checking wheel alignment
Checking the installation angles of the car requires a viewing hole or a special measuring lift. When performing a measurement, the following conditions must be met:
- The air pressure in the tires corresponds to the specified;
- The front wheels are set straight;
- The car is not loaded, the fuel tank is full;
- The suspension of the car is strongly compressed;
- Steering adjusted;
- The clearances in the coupling of the steering rods are within the permissible limits;
- The gaps in the suspension interface are within the permissible limits;
- The tread depth of tires on the same axle is the same.
Front wheel adjustment
Camber and longitudinal inclination of the axis of rotation of the wheel
![](https://www.mercedesman.ru/img/s-class/1444.jpg)
Adjustment of the camber and longitudinal inclination of the axis of rotation of the front wheels - is made using an eccentric bolt
Camber adjustment is carried out by the front cam bolt (19), and the longitudinal angle of inclination of the axis of rotation of the wheel is adjusted by the rear eccentric bolt (20) on the lower arm. With the help of the same bolt, the angle of the longitudinal inclination of the axis of rotation of the wheel is adjusted.
Convergence
![](https://www.mercedesman.ru/img/s-class/1445.jpg)
Checking and adjusting the toe-in of the front wheels
1. Set the wheels to the straight ahead position using the (055).
2. Check the center position of the steering gear and steering wheel (arrows).
3. Install the ruler (030) between the inner surfaces of the front wheels. Check the toe-in of the front wheels.
4. Adjustment of convergence is carried out by rotating the steering rods (10). The nominal toe value of the front wheels is 0°35'±10' (see Specifications).
Rear wheel adjustment
Collapse
The amount of camber of the rear wheels depends on the ride height (clearance). Adjustment parameters are given in Specifications) to this chapter.
Convergence
![](https://www.mercedesman.ru/img/s-class/1446.jpg)
Adjustment of a convergence of back wheels
The convergence of the rear wheels is adjusted by eccentric bolts (60a) on left and right traction (60) on the rear suspension (50).
Checking the clearance of the car body
![](https://www.mercedesman.ru/img/s-class/1447.jpg)
Checking the clearance of the car body
The clearance of the front suspension of the car is checked using a measuring device (01) between the eccentric bolts of the lower arm.
The clearance of the rear suspension of the car is checked using the device (02), attached to the rear axle drive shaft.