Euro/NA C43/CLK55 Suspension comparison

[Pagz]

Guys,

Some info on the C43 suspension you might find interesting if you are looking for a factory ride and lower stance,want to swap back from aftermarket or just want to understand the confusion when comparing our different market C43 suspensions:),also some comparison and assumptions with CLK55 as they are same weight,same base chassis,same suspension arms with similar weight distributions..


North America "NA" C43 (high ride 4x4 looks)
Front Springs A202 321 20 04 Common with all 202/208 models
Rear Springs either A202 324 20 04 or A202 324 21 04 Common with all 202/208 + few 170 models.
Front shocks A202 323 41 00 Same as Euro C43,Euro CLK55
Rear shocks A202 326 30 00 Same as Euro C43,Euro CLK55

NA C43 front spring config:
2433

NA C43 Rear spring config:
2434

Euro C43(slightly lower than NA C43)
Front Springs A210 321 22 04 Common with NA CLK55
Rear Springs A210 324 34 04 Common with NA CLK55 and many 210,209,203
Front shocks A202 323 41 00 Common with NA C43 and Euro CLK55
Rear shocks A202 326 30 00 Common with NA C43 and Euro CLK55

Euro C43 front spring config:
2435
Euro C43 rear spring config:
2436





Here's where it starts to get interesting..

NA CLK55
Front Springs A210 321 22 04 Common with Euro C43
Rear Springs A210 324 34 04 Common with Euro C43 and many 210,209,203 models
Front shocks HWA 202 323 03 00 Used in NA C36
Rear shocks HWA 202 326 03 00 Used in NA C36

And here the most interesting part...:)

Euro CLK55(sits lower than NA CLK55)
Front Springs A210 321 32 04 Common with Euro E55 98 - 00
Rear Springs A208 324 02 04 Only found on Euro CLK55
Front shocks A202 323 41 00 Common with Euro C43 and NA C43
Rear shocks A202 326 30 00 Common with Euro C43 and NA C43


We should be able to use Euro CLK55 springs and achieve lowest factory stance while still being able to retain factory setup shocks and adjustments..

When I dissembled my Euro CLK55 I noticed there were factory correction bolts on the rear bush of both the front control arms,at first I though this was odd,but looking back now I assume this was to correct factory lowering, if one were to install on the C43 you would likely need to install these also.

Factory camber/caster correction bolts for +20' Camber/+25' Caster OR -20' Camber/-25' Caster,other configs can be used but that is all WIS specs.
2442


Cheers,

[Pagz]

Euro C43 springs:
2439

Euro CLK55 springs:
2443


Euro C43 vs Euro CLK55
Fronts ~9mm shorter
2440

Rear ~14mm shorter
2441

With #1 pads my rear was higher than front by approx 5mm with euro C43 springs, It looks like the slightly lower CLk55 rears will correct this so I have even fender gaps...

[Denlasoul]

Looks like a $80usd difference between the Euro and NA CLK55 front springs.

So, if I understand correctly, Euro CLK55 springs sit lower AND they fit the C43? Additionally, the correction bolts will likely need to be added to the rears? Got a p/n for those?

[Pagz]

I test fitted the euro clk55 springs today with #1 pads and the car sits much lower(approx 1 finger gap), fender gap is equal within 1mm front and rear with 3/4 tank of gas.

CLK55 springs fit fine in the 202 as they share same chassis/suspension. I have read that the fronts(which are from 98-00 Euro E55) are easy to come by, but the rears usually need to come from MB Germany, they are only fitted to the 208 CLK55.

EPC shows the CLK55 comes with #4(17mm) pads rear and #2(9mm) front,which would work out pretty close to the euro C43 level with #1 pads perhaps ~5mm lower overall

I also used a digital level to compare vehicle height with WIS specs for the CLK55 ,comparing these specs also confirms it sits slightly lower than the euro C43, to stay within factory camber tolerance for a CLK55 I think at minimum you would want to install the front camber/caster correction and run #2 pads front and rear. This would give a drop of approx 5mm front and 10mm rear over my C43 Euro springs with #1 pads.

Unfortunately the rear camber is not adjustable,if you had many options in your C43 maybe #3 pads on rear would be a better option to keep camber in check ;)

Front camber /caster correction bolts are A202 330 01 18 ,I will post up the procedure..just need to work out how to get a better quality capture from WIS.

[Denlasoul]

Good to know. I couldnt find rears, like you said. Maybe just need to look a bit harder. ��

[RemoLexi]

The front camber / castor correction bolts only help maybe .5 +or- for camber, installing them sort of sucks because you have to tighten the control arm with the vehicle weight on it, but natrually the vehicle weight wants to pull the arms outwards (negitive camber). I have been using a heavy duty ratchet tow strap to pull the arms in towards each other, (on an alignment rack)

KMAC kit would be the way to go to actually bring it to spec, as all of us are typically pretty low.

[Pagz]

Den,
Sure no problem, I've found certain parts (usually rare ones) can only be purchased through MB, some companies like Pelican parts will be able to get them however they will be close to dealership prices as I assume they purchase through an MB outlet with minor discount..

I checked camber on the rear at about 2.00' with euro clk55/#1 pads. adding #2 pads brings it back to ~1.40' which isn't too bad. I do think the 202 looks much better when the camber is in check when riding low, looks nice a square in the back ;)

Remo,
As usual you've nailed it,1 bolt on the rear bush only moves the arm some +/-3mm at the bush which only equates to approx 20 seconds camber/25 seconds caster, After installation I could only measure 10 seconds change,I assumed because there was still play in the bush I would need to take some of the tension off of it before final tightening at ride height but I wasn't sure how I was going to do it,your suggested method sounds like the way to go!.

The CLK55 only had these on the rear bush,have you ever tried running these bolts on both bushes?...would caster then be a problem?.

I found with the Eibach pro kit/#1's when turning moderate to full lock the wheels would roll right over and have very little grip, I had no caster/camber correction on the front back then.

[Pagz]

Here's a shot showing euro clk55 rear #1 pads...time for new camera and a larger garage!

2444

[Pagz]

For comparisons the wheel center to fender is 327mm rear and 326.5 front
2445

[Denlasoul]

17 or 18 inch wheels?

[Pagz]

18" ;)