how to adjust the rear positive camber.? IE too much positive!

[Paul99]

I have read that the 230s should have at least 1 deg of positive camber, but i have at least 2-3 degs.  How can it be adjusted?  New correct shocks on rear, and correct tyre size, but too much positive camber. It doesnt look right at all.

The rubber mountings in the rear suspension - can they be adjusted?/changed? Wonder if that is the way to adjust.?  Suggestions please.

[badali]

I think there are different size rubber mounting shims. I have to replace the ones in my 4.5 sedan and the classic center said there were different sizes.  There were 3 sizes used for the 4.5 so I have to find out when I take the spring off.

[Raymond]

Brad is correct in that there are different thickness spring rubbers in both the front and back.  The rear camber can be affected by the weight of the hardtop, spare tire, and even a full tank of fuel.  Then add heavy luggage and watch the negative camber take over.  It's one of the design flaws of the cantilever suspension.  If you have a Big Blue Book, there is a chart that shows the thickness of the pad according to the color markings on the springs.  That assumes that no one has touched the springs or spring rubbers in nearly half a century.  So you get to guess.  I recently priced the pads from the dealer and the cost of each side was upwards of $120.  Yikes! 

So, if you have a hardtop on, spare in, and a full tank of fuel, and still have too much positive camber, the "proper" fix is a thinner pad.  Well, how do you know the thickness you have and how thin to go?  What other folks and I have done was buy the thinnest pad and, if it was too thin (negative camber), shimmed it with some $5 flange gaskets from McMaster-Carr.  Look for posts from Jim Villers on the topic.  I think he gives the part number.  You get 6 gaskets for about 5 bucks.

This works to adjust the ride height up front too but those springs are significantly harder to remove and replace.

[stickandrudderman]

First thing you should do, if you haven't done it already, is replace the rear diff mount. They are nearly always overlooked and have nearly always  collapsed. Ride quality is also enormously improved when replacing this item.
Second thing to do is look at the pivot spring mounted on the axle. If you have too much positive camber (the tops of the wheels stick out to the sides) then you either have the wrong spring in there or too much shim. If you have too much negative camber (tops of the wheels are pointing into the car) then the spring is likely to be weak and should be renewed.
The shims on top of the four road springs are for adjusting ride height essentially, although there is a small side effect on camber on the rear.
Ideally all of the suspension rubber components and the springs should be renewed at the same time. This will give maximum benefit from new parts and a correctly set up chassis.
Mixing old and new always compromises the beneficial effect of such new parts that are fitted.

[Raymond]

Given the issue is too much positive camber, it is quite unlikely that the compensator spring is weak.  When I bought the new rubber pad for my new compensator spring, there were no options for thickness from the dealer and I've not seen any information on shims for it.     
Paul, did the camber change when you installed the shocks or has it been like that since you've owned it?   

[Paul99]

Given the issue is too much positive camber, it is quite unlikely that the compensator spring is weak.  When I bought the new rubber pad for my new compensator spring, there were no options for thickness from the dealer and I've not seen any information on shims for it.     
Paul, did the camber change when you installed the shocks or has it been like that since you've owned it?   

I only really noticed when someone was following me one day and said about it.  The car did have a new floor some years ago. The whole of the rear was stripped and then rebuilt (cost £8k to the last owner!) so when it was put back together they may have done it wrong?

One thing though, I went to Goodwood yesterday (festival of speed) there is a "as new" MB owned 600 pullman there on display.  The rear wheels are the exact same as mine! IE loads of positive (top of wheels stick out over bottom of wheels)  Just looks odd.  But if a mint MB owned 600 looks the same, perhaps its correct? I will measure my camber to get an exact number. I just got a camber device to measure it.  Will report back!

[Jkalplus1]

My 230SL underwent complete frame-off rotisserie restoration, and everything rubber is new, the suspension pieces as well. 

It was taken to a MB dealer for camber adjustment (surprisingly cheap!), and the looks of it is exactly as you describe.  I have the early 230 with the spare at an angle on the left side, and this alone makes it look like it is leaning imperceptibly to the left.  I figure if all the parts are new, and the job done by MB themselves, this is how it should look.

My advice: considering how cheap it is and the effect on the ride, treat yourself and get MB to do it, or your local specialist.

I'll see if I can get you pictures.

Jerome

[reggie]

Paul,
Did you see the silver 280 SL in the walk of fame , It was the Blackroch drivers club red carpet, 60 years of the SL,
Nice to own a car worthy of Goodwood 
Shame about the weather, It was my 12th  Goodwood visit, I thought £6,80 for a sandwich was a bit steep