Ball Point Position

Install measuring device (201 589 00 21 00 except CL500, S320, S420 and S500; 140 589 01 21 00 on CL500, S320, S420 and S500) between front and rear eccentric bolts on wishbone mounts and zero scale by means of a plumb bob. See Fig 1.
Check ball point position with wheels in straight ahead position. On CL500, S320, S420, S500 and SL320 slide section "A" on tie rod. On C230, C280, CLK320 and SLK230 slide section "A" on cylindrical section of drag link. See Fig 2. See BALL POINT POSITION SPECIFICATION table. If ball point position is not in specification, adjust as necessary.
NOTE: If vehicle is suspected of being involved in an accident, ensure basic setting dimension between idler arm and bearing tube. If ball point position is off by 5 mm or more, check idler arm bearing.
To adjust ball point position, move steering idler arm on bearing tube. See Fig 3. If ball point position cannot be adjusted at the steering idler arm, offset section "A" of pitman arm on splined section of pitman arm shaft. See Fig 4.

BALL POINT POSITION SPECIFICATION

Application

C230 & C280

29-33

CL500, S320, S420 & S500

8-12

CLK320

29-33

SL320

21-25

SLK230

28.5-32.5

SLK230 ⁽¹⁾

-1-3

⁽¹⁾	Special protection model.

Fig 1: Measuring Ball Point Position (Except E-Class)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 2: Identifying Slide Position Area (Except E-Class)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 3: Moving Idler Arm On Bearing Tube (Except E-Class)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 4: Identifying Pitman Arm Offset (Except E-Class)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.