I posted this on the SRT part of the forum and thought I may get more response here since it isn't necessarily an SRTonly topic. One other ? I have: what kind of wear pattern have other XF owners had? Front and rear. How many miles have you been able to get with tires? I realize that different brands, driving style, etc. will change what the wear on tires, but I would like to get a range to try to determine if my tire's wear is "normal" and what kind of tires other people like on their XF. Thanks!

Just replaced my Nangcangns tires (or whatever the name is-horrid tire) on the rear of my SRT w/Falken 452's. The china tires were put on by a pervious owner. The older tires showed scary amount of wear on the inside 3 inches. The tire on the right was worn down to the steel belt in places and the left was very worn in the same place. The unusual wear did not seem to be uniform around the tire. This seems to indicate a camber problem. It is my understanding that the rear camber is not adjustable on a XF. Other threads here have discussed the need to put an adjustable camber arm on any car that has been lowered because otherwise there will be very excessive tire wear on the inside of the tire. Exactly where my tires have worn badly. Since I just put on $500 worth of tires I would like them to last. My ?'s are: Is there any way I can find out if my car has been lowered? Is this a camber problem or something else? The tire place also indicated that the right front upper ball joint was worn and needed replacing. I looked at the part diagram and couldn't find an upper ball joint. Lower yes, upper no. Is this guy incompetent or b.s.'ing me? He also said I need a left front wheel bearing. He wanted to fix the rear camber problem but said he couldn't until the front problems were fixed. True? I know I made some assumptions here, but I'm willing to be corrected. Any advice some of you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! p.s. I have just bought new Koni's for the car, so do you think putting these new shocks on will help/solve the problem?

 

Your tire wear sounds like a camber problem. You are correct that the camber is not adjustable and you will need to get adjustable arms or the Kmac camber kit. Either will give you the adjustment you need. I make adjustable arms and links for the Crossfire. PM or email me if interested.

 

+1 for MikeR's adjustable rear camber arms. I have them and love them.

 

If anybody has a pair of MikeR's camber arms for sale, I'd love to buy them.

Thanks,

eric@anchoreng.com

 

With MikeR gone someone else on the forum was going to post a dimensional plan for rear camber arms, but I haven't seen it. I also could use some since my 275/30/19s are wearing on the inside.

 

Guys, that was me! I'm sorry, but the car is right now on its way to Georgia for repairs. I have a parts list for the rod ends and jam nuts, but the drawing will have to wait for the return of my car (< 1 week?).

I can even tell you what material to buy for the arms. Just not the finished length of the arms.

Do you want to wait? Or do you want me to post the parts list and give you the drawing later?

Sorry again, Max

 

I heard the car hauler broke down on the way with transmission problems ..

 

Speedway Stainless Steel 4-Bar Rod Ends, 5/8-18 RH Thread - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

Speedway Stainless Steel 4-Bar Rod End, 5/8-18 LH Thread, Straight Shank - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

2 each

Stainless Jam Nut, 5/8 Inch-18 LH NF Fine Thread - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

Stainless Jam Nut, 5/8 Inch-18 RH NF Fine Thread - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

2 each

McMaster-Carr

2 each

The last is 15/16" hex X 12" long. 316 SST McCarr #89205K461

AND, I used (1) 1/2" SST fender washer at each point as a spacer (.060" thick). McCarr #91525A145

I'll get the drawing to you ASAP.

 

Peckerwood ducktape using bloody redneck! I have enough issues without you pokin' me!

 

Once you get the monkey in the cage, it is permissible to poke at him through the bars.

 

But grabbing his nuts is a no no.

 

Wow! Dunno what all that is but I'll be happy to wait for the drawing. No problem.

 

It's all just jive talking - don't pay us any attention ......

 

I'd like to post a little wisdom for folks that are lowered. The Kmacs don't have enough camber removal adjustment. With the rear Kmac bushings the least camber achieved on my car was -1.3º.

Les

 

Those are the bits you'll need to attach the bars to your car! Look at the pictures...

 

I've been following this thread and looking at the Specialty Products bushings as an alternative to new camber arms. I am a little confused. The Specialty Products installation video and some comments from other threads on this subject say you need 2 bushings per wheel and the video shows installation on 2 arms on each wheel. Is that cause the video is really for Mercedes and the XF has only one arm per wheel? MikeR and Max seem to do it all with one new arm.

 

MikeR's and mine were to replace only the top arm.

MikeR also made small adjustable links to replace the sway bar connectors.

Are the Specialty Products bushings installed at both ends of the arms? This would 'splain it.

 

this is the Specialty Products 28840 description ( for Crossfire ) :

 

28840 - Mercedes C Class Camber Adjustment
Here is a link to the specialty products video on installing the kit. Looks like 2 camber arms on the Mercedes. Sorry I couldn't make the link automatic. You'll have to copy it to your browser.

 

Wow! It turned out to be automatic after all.