Determine thickness of shims - AR33.25-P-0208-01A

The adjustment of the steering knuckle bearing depends on the vehicle model.

Model 460:

Adjustment by means of adjusting plates (8) at top and bottom.

Model 461 except model 461.302/305/331/332/333/340/342/343/345:

Adjustment by means of adjusting plates (8) at top and shims (7) at bottom.

Model 461.302/305/331/332/333/340/342/343/345, model 463: Adjustment by means of shims (7) at top and bottom.

For the version with adjusting plates (8) the setting may not be made using shims (7) and vice versa.

1. Mount joint housing (9) with drive shaft to steering knuckle.
   Fig 4: Adjusting Steering Knuckle Bearing

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA
2. Slide the 2 mm wide adjusting ring (1) onto top kingpin (5).

   Only model 460, 461 except 461.302/305/331/332/333/340/342/343/345, 463.

3. Install top kingbolt (5) without adjusting plates (8) or shims (7).
4. Slide the 6 mm wide adjusting ring (3) and the 4 mm wide adjusting ring (4) onto lower kingpin (6).

   Note model year dependent change of diameter of lower kingpin (6) and 6 mm wide adjusting ring (3).

   Fig 5: Measuring Distance Between Steering Knuckle Arm And Joint Housing

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

   The lower kingpin (6) has a locating seat on the last 5 mm, the steering knuckle arm (10) is fixed by means of fitting sleeves (11) of 5 mm length in the joint housing (9). For this reason the lower kingpin (6) must have a 6 mm wide adjusting ring (3) slipped on to it so that the measurement is not falsified by jamming.

   The 4 mm wide adjusting ring (4) serves only to reduce the distance between the steering knuckle arm (10) and joint housing (9), in order to enable distance B (B) to be measured with a feeler gauge.

5. Install steering knuckle arm (10) without adjusting plates (8) or shims (7).
6. Mount C-clamp and close far enough until no more play is registered in the steering knuckle bearing.

   In doing so move the joint housing (9) to and fro so that the bearing can settle.

7. Measure distance A (A) and distance B (B) using feeler gauge.

   Dimension C is the difference of the adjusting rings plus the pretension.

1. 8.1 Determine thickness of adjusting plates (8) at top of steering knuckle.

   Only model 460, 461 except model 461.302/305/331/332/333/340/342/343/345, 463.

   Example:

   Distance A (A)

   - Pretension

   0, 95 mm

   - 0, 15 mm

   = Thickness of adjusting plates (8) = 0, 80 mm

2. 8.2 Determine thickness of shims (7) at top of steering knuckle.

   Only model 461.302/305/331/332/333/340/342/343/345, model 463.

   Example:

   Dimension C

   - Distance A (A)

   2.15 mm

   - 1, 30 mm

   = Thickness of shims (7)

   = 0, 80 mm

3. 9.1 Determine thickness of adjusting plates (8) at bottom of steering knuckle.

   Only model 460.

   Example:

   Distance B (B)

   - Pretension

   2, 90 mm

   - 2.15 mm

   = Thickness of adjusting plates (8)

   = 0, 80 mm

   -

4. 9.2 Determine thickness of shims (7) at bottom of steering knuckle.

   Only model 461, model 463.

   Example:

   Dimension C

   - Distance B (B)

   2.15 mm

   - 1, 10 mm

   = Thickness of shims (7)

   = 1, 05 mm