Front End Allignment Specs.

[Okie Boy]

Has any one found the specifications for the front end allignment on the 451? I have 27k+ miles on mine and the front tires are worn out.

I have a set of rear wheels to put on the front and I am going to put a set of 4 185/60/R15 on the car.

The allignment shops don't seem to have the specs yet.

[jetfuel]

...just this time...

for 451.3.. & 451.4.. chassis the specs are:

front
camber (at 0 toe) 0 deg 18' + or - 30'
caster 7 deg 50' + or - 30'
toe 36' + or - 10'

rear (All 450, 451 & 452 chassis)
camber -2 deg 00' + or - 30'
toe 0 deg + or - 18'

front caster and camber can be adjusted slightly by loosening all 4 lower control arm bolts and sliding the whole assembly left/right forward back as needed (holes are enlarged to allow some movement)
Front toe is adjustable.

Rear is not adjustable at all


jetfuel...join SCOA...you'll be glad you did

[Okie Boy]

Jet you are a Gentleman and a Scholar.

[eqwalker]

Okie, I'm right there with you. I have 25k+ on mine and my fronts are worn out on the inside edges. Is that where yours are worn? I was thinking mine must be out of alignment to wear them out at such low mileage.

[Okie Boy]

Originally Posted by eqwalker

Okie, I'm right there with you. I have 25k+ on mine and my fronts are worn out on the inside edges. Is that where yours are worn? I was thinking mine must be out of alignment to wear them out at such low mileage.

Yes the inside edges of the fronts, which would suggest excessive negitive camber or excessive toe-out. Seems to be a common problem and made worse by not being able to rotate the tires. The back tires are doing ok.

[Karl Roth]

Sounds to me like a toe problem, camber will most likely not case your problem, over driving the chassis on the other hand will.
karl

[wdsmguy]

I know I live in the sticks, but I just had my 2008 Cab at a local shop that "supposedly" had worked on 450's and 451's in the past. The guy there gave me some cock-and-bull about needing OEM software to align the front end due to the electric power steering. Said it was a Mercedes thing and only a dealer can do the alignment. Does anybody know, is he telling fact or fiction (or do I never want to see him again?)

[magilly00]

Originally Posted by eqwalker

Okie, I'm right there with you. I have 25k+ on mine and my fronts are worn out on the inside edges. Is that where yours are worn? I was thinking mine must be out of alignment to wear them out at such low mileage.

I just noticed my front tires wearing on the inside of the front tires too. I have all 185/60/15's so I just rotated my fronts to the rear to extend the life of my tires.

[WhiteNBlack08]

Originally Posted by wdsmguy

I know I live in the sticks, but I just had my 2008 Cab at a local shop that "supposedly" had worked on 450's and 451's in the past. The guy there gave me some cock-and-bull about needing OEM software to align the front end due to the electric power steering. Said it was a Mercedes thing and only a dealer can do the alignment. Does anybody know, is he telling fact or fiction (or do I never want to see him again?)

He's feeding you a line of BS. I have access to the official MB WIS system, and have read the "official" alignment proceedure. No where does it start you need software to align it.

[a2jack]

Our fronts (stock tires) were worn out (inside tread) at around 20k. Our rears were still usable but showed some inside tread wear.

Alignment read within Smart specs. Consensuses was high speed driving coupled with Smarts inherent rough ride... No Fix. A2Jack