Author Topic: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....  (Read 1621 times)

Dudlow

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250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« on: March 20, 2021, 16:56:23 »
Hi, I have searched the forums but can't seem to find the answer to this one....

The rear wheels were off the ground while on a lift for an MOT  safety inspection last week and obviously the camber went crazy. The car was lowered , it still looked crazy but it appeared to settle after driving.
I have now done about 40 miles since and it is not totally right looking yet, but not far out.

Of possibly more interest to me is that the right hand rear wheel (looking from the rear) appears to definitely be further out in the arch than the left. If I stand a piece of straight timber vertically on the floor against the arch it almost touches the edge of the tyre. If I do the same on the left there is a good inch difference and the wheel sits more recessed in the arch.
Is there any possible connection to the lifting of the car or just a coincidence that I have noticed it now ? I might add there are no strange noises, and the car feels fine when driving.

Any opinions appreciated.   Thanks.

ja17

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Re: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2021, 00:52:54 »
I would try putting some weight in the trunk and driving a bit to see if it settles-in.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

stickandrudderman

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Re: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2021, 22:04:59 »
Sounds to me like something has gone awry with the panhard rod or its bushes whilst the car was suspended.
This is the adjustable rod that prevents sideways movement of the axle.
Plenty of info on here about centering the axle by means of this adjustment.

Dudlow

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Re: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2021, 23:15:49 »
Thanks Colin. I will look into that. Appreciated.

ja17

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Re: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2021, 15:13:49 »
If the problem does not resolve itself, then the horizontal rubber/steel mounting of the swing axle may have failed or shifted. The cinch bolt arrangement might have slipped. The rubber in the horizontal bushing deteriorates with age and may have failed. Also check to see that the rear bottom spring mounts are still in place and have not shifted.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Dudlow

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Re: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2021, 12:31:35 »
Top advice ja17, I will check all those things.  Thanks.

mauro12

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Re: 250sl rear wheels camber/setting question.....
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2021, 10:08:51 »
These cars have a tendency to have positive camber . When you lift the car , the camber become much positive but generally it solves on its own after few hundred meters
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual