Suspension and steering specifications (Mercedes-Benz M-Class W163)

Contents: Table 1 ↡ Table 2 ↡

Note: Individual characteristics are also given in the text of the Chapter and, if their implementation is mandatory, are highlighted in bold.

General parameters
Wheelbase, track, turning diameter, mm	See Specifications for Chapter Controls and safe operating techniques
Bridges
Control dimensions of geometric parameters for installation of front and rear axles, mm
V1, V2, V3, H8, H9, H10	3
Front suspension
Design	Fully independent, 4-link, with telescopic shock absorbers, torsion springs, subframe and anti-roll bar (torsion bar).
Rear suspension
Design	Fully independent, multi-link, rack type (telescopic shock absorbers and coil springs), with subframe and anti-roll bar (torsion bar).
Steering
Design
Drive	Hydraulically boosted rack and pinion transmission with valve input unit and two transverse steering rods, hydraulic boost is organized according to the scheme sensitive to the vehicle speed (SPS)
Steering column	Trauma-safe, telescopic, with a landing offset function and tilt adjustment
Steering gear	With circulating balls
The number of turns of the steering wheel when turning from lock to lock	2.8
Power steering fluid type and volume See.	Specifications for Chapter Routine care and maintenance
Power steering pressure, bar	92÷100
Ground clearance
Control angle
Front axle
Except models 163.174 (ML 55 AMG)	6.4°
Models 163.174 (ML 55 AMG)	4.0°
Rear axle
Except models 163.174 (ML 55 AMG)	4.7° ±1.0°
Models 163.174 (ML 55 AMG)	2.9°
Wheel alignment angles
Front wheels
Convergence
With the front wheels in a straight line	0°10' ±10'
In turns (at an angle of 20°)	2°06' ±30'
Camber depending on the front axle ground clearance setting (with a tolerance of ±20')
Nominal values
Except for ML 55 AMG models
-2.6°	-0°20'
-1.9°	-0°20'
-1.2°	-0°20'
-0.5°	-0°20'
-0.2°	-0°20'
0.9°	-0°21'
1.6°	-0°22'
2.2°	-0°24'
2.9°	-0°25'
3.6°	-0°27'
4.3°	-0°29'
5.0°	-0°32'
5.7°	-0°35'
6.4°	-0°38'
7.0°	-0°42'
7.7°	-0°46'
8.4°	-0°50'
9.1°	-0°54'
9.8°	-0°59'
10.5°	-1°04'
11.2°	-1°09'
ML 55 AMG models	Data not provided
Maximum permissible difference between the camber of the right and left wheels	20'
Coasting depending on axle ground clearance setting (with tolerance of ±30')
Except for ML 55 AMG models	See Table 1
ML 55 AMG models	Data not provided
Rear wheels
Convergence	0°20' ±7'
Camber depending on the rear axle ground clearance setting (with a tolerance of ±20')
Nominal values
Except for ML 55 AMG models
7.8	-0°52'
7.2°	-0°48'
6.6°	-0°45'
6.0°	-0°44'
5.5°	-0°40'
4.9°	-0°37'
4.3°	-0°35'
3.7°	-0°33'
3.2°	-0°32'
2.6°	-0°31'
2.0°	-0°30'
1.4°	-0°29'
0.9°	-0°29'
0.3°	-0°29'
-0.3°	-0°29'
-0.9°	-0°30'
-1.4°	-0°31'
-2.0°	-0°32'
-2.6°	-0°33'
-3.2°	-0°35'
-3.7°	-0°37'
ML 55 AMG models	Data not provided
Maximum permissible difference between the camber of the right and left wheels	20'
Coasting depending on the axle ground clearance setting (with a tolerance of ±0.5°)	See Table 2
Except for ML 55 AMG models	See Table 2
Tightening force of threaded connections, Nm
Front suspension
Bolts for fastening the subframe to the car frame	200
Self-locking bolts for fastening the propeller shaft to the connecting flange of the front differential	40
Bolts for fastening shock absorbers to lower wishbones	130
Self-locking nuts for fastening shock absorbers to frame longitudinal beams	30
Nuts for mounting bolts of anti-roll bars (torsion bar) to the frame	100
Anti-roll bar mounting bolts (torsion bar) to the transverse levers	68
Nuts for mounting bolts of anti-roll bar struts (torsion bar)	50
Nut of the bolt of the clamping clamp of the torsion bar fixation	15
Bolts of profile bushings of torsion springs	23
Torsion spring thrust arm end cap screws	23
Bolts securing the lower wishbones to the subframe
Front	135
Rear	30
Self-locking nuts for fastening the upper ball joints in the steering knuckles	50
Crown nuts for fastening the lower ball joints in the steering knuckles	300
Upper wishbone to frame mounting bolts	120
Rear suspension
Self-locking bolts for fastening the subframe to the frame	200
Self-locking nuts for fastening shock absorbers to lower arms	85
Self-locking nuts for fastening shock absorbers to side frame beams	20
Bolts/nuts for fastening the control link to the subframe and frame	20
Self-locking nuts securing the upper wishbones to the side frame beams	120
Self-locking nuts for fastening upper ball joints in hub assemblies	50
Crown nuts for fastening lower ball joints in hub assemblies	300
Rear differential drain plug	50
Self-locking bolts securing the rear propeller shaft to the rear differential coupling flange	50
Fuel tank longitudinal fixing bracket mounting bolts	20
Nuts of connecting bolts of fastening of anti-roll bar (torsion bar) to the lower wishbones	28
Bolts for clamps securing the anti-roll bar to the subframe	28
Self-locking nuts for fastening the lower wishbones to the subframe	135
Self-locking nuts for fastening shock absorbers to coil springs of strut assemblies	30
Self-locking nuts for fastening the lower ball joints to the wishbones	125
Self-locking nuts for fastening longitudinal struts to the subframe	100
Self-locking nuts for fastening longitudinal struts to hub assemblies	55
Steering
Self-locking nuts for fastening the steering gear input unit to the steering column shaft and rack and pinion	28
Threaded nipples for connecting the pressure and return lines to the steering gear housing	15
Hollow bolts of the pressure and return line nipple connectors on the steering gear housing	33
Fastening the pressure line of the hydraulic tract of the power steering to the steering pump (M16x1.5)	45
Attaching the return line to the steering pump	2
Discharge hose of tandem component of pump assembly	25
Steering pump mounting bolts
Standard	25
Self-tapping
The thread is not cut	35
The thread is cut	20
Self-locking nuts for fastening steering rod ends to steering knuckles	55
Locknuts for fixing steering rods in inner ends	50
Fastening the inner tie rod ends to the steering rack	110
Steering gear to subframe mounting bolts	50
Steering column adjustment lever mounting nut	4
Bolt securing contact switch to steering column adjustment lever	1
Steering wheel to steering column shaft mounting bolt	80
Steering column housing mounting bolts (upper and lower)	20

Table 1

Ground clearance
front axle

Front wheel runout

hail

1.6

-22.6

6° 06'

6° 12'

6° 18'

6° 23'

6° 26'

6° 32'

6° 38'

6° 44'

6° 50'

6° 53'

6° 59'

7° 06'

7° 11'

7° 14'

2.0

-19.7

6° 04'

6° 10'

6° 16'

6° 22'

6° 25'

6° 31'

6° 37'

6° 43'

6° 49'

6° 52'

6° 57'

7° 03'

7° 09'

7° 12'

2.4

-16.6

6° 02'

6° 08'

6° 14'

6° 20'

6° 23'

6° 29'

6° 36'

6° 41'

6° 47'

6° 50'

6° 56'

7° 02'

7° 07'

7° 10'

2.8

-13.9

6° 01'

6° 07'

6° 13'

6° 18'

6° 22'

6° 28'

6° 34'

6° 40'

6° 45'

6° 48'

6° 54'

7° 00'

7° 06'

7° 09'

3.2

-10.9

6° 00'

6° 05'

6° 11'

6° 17'

6° 20'

6° 26'

6° 32'

6° 38'

6° 43'

6° 46'

6° 52'

6° 58'

7° 04'

7° 07'

3.6

-8.0

5° 58'

6° 04'

6° 09'

6° 15'

6° 18'

6° 24'

6° 30'

6° 36'

6° 42'

6° 44'

6° 50'

6° 56'

7° 02'

7° 06'

4.0

-5.1

5° 56'

6° 02'

6° 08'

6° 13'

6° 16'

6° 22'

6° 28'

6° 34'

6° 40'

6° 43'

6° 48'

6° 55'

7° 01'

7° 04'

4.4

-2.2

5° 54'

6° 00'

6° 06'

6° 12'

6° 15'

6° 21'

6° 26'

6° 32'

6° 38'

6° 41'

6° 47'

6° 53'

6° 59'

7° 02'

4.7

0.0

5° 53'

5° 59'

6° 05'

6° 10'

6° 14'

6° 19'

6° 25'

6° 31'

6° 37'

6° 40'

6° 46'

6° 52'

6° 58'

7° 01'

5.0

2.2

5° 52'

5° 58'

6° 04'

6° 09'

6° 12'

6° 18'

6° 24'

6° 30'

6° 36'

6° 39'

6° 45'

6° 51'

6° 57'

7° 00'

5.4

5.1

5° 50'

5° 56'

6° 03'

6° 08'

6° 11'

6° 17'

6° 22'

6° 29'

6° 34'

6° 37'

6° 43'

6° 49'

6° 55'

6° 58'

5.8

8.0

5° 48'

5° 54'

6° 00'

6° 06'

6° 09'

6° 15'

6° 21'

6° 27'

6° 33'

6° 36'

6° 41'

6° 47'

6° 53'

6° 56'

6.1

10.0

5° 47'

5° 53'

5° 59'

6° 05'

6° 08'

6° 14'

6° 20'

6° 28'

6° 32'

6° 35'

6° 41'

6° 46'

6° 52'

6° 55'

6.4

12.4

5° 46'

5° 52'

5° 58'

6° 04'

6° 07'

6° 13'

6° 19'

6° 25'

6° 30'

6° 33'

6° 39

6° 45'

6° 51'

6° 54'

6.8

15.3

5° 44'

5° 50'

5° 56'

6° 02'

6° 05'

6° 11'

6° 17'

6° 23'

6° 29'

6° 32'

6° 38'

6° 44'

6° 49'

6° 52'

7.2

18.2

5° 43'

5° 49'

5° 54'

6° 00'

6° 03'

6° 09'

6° 15'

6° 21'

6° 28'

6° 30'

6° 36'

6° 42'

6° 48'

6° 51'

7.4

19.7

5° 41'

5° 47'

5° 53'

5° 58'

6° 02'

6° 08'

6° 14'

6° 20'

6° 27'

6° 29'

6° 35'

6° 41'

6° 47'

6° 50'

7.6

21.2

5° 41'

5° 47'

5° 53'

5° 55'

6° 02'

6° 08'

6° 14'

6° 19'

6° 26'

6° 28'

6° 34'

6° 40'

6° 46'

6° 49'

7.8

22.6

5° 40'

5° 48'

5° 52'

5° 56'

6° 01'

6° 07'

6° 13'

6° 17'

6° 25'

6° 28'

6° 34'

6° 40'

6° 45'

6° 48'

8.0

24.1

5° 39'

5° 46'

5° 51'

5° 57'

6° 00'

6° 06'

6° 12'

6° 16'

6° 24'

6° 27'

6° 33'

6° 35'

6° 44'

6° 47'

40.5

35.5

30.1

25.0

22.3

17.0

11.8

6.6

1.4

-1.2

-6.4

-11.7

-16.9

-19.5

Road-
ny
clearance
back
axes

6.5

5.9

5.3

4.7

4.4

3.8

3.2

2.6

2.0

1.7

1.1

0.5

-0.1

-0.4

hail

* Calculation method: Front axle clearance angle (5.8°) x rear axle clearance angle (2.6°) = Run-out (6°27' ±30')

Table 2

Road
clearance
front axle

Rear wheel runout

hail

1.6

-22.6

-8.0'

2.0

-19.7

-8.1'

-8. 1 '

2.4

-16.6

-8.2'

-8. 2 '

2.8

-13.9

-8.2'

-8. 2 '

3.2

-10.9

-8.3'

-8. 3 '

3.6

-8.0

-8.3'

-8. 3 '

4.0

-5.1

-8.4'

-8. 4 '

4.4

-2.2

-8.4'

-8.5'

-8. 5 '

4.7

0.0

-8.5'

-8. 5 '

5.0

2.2

-8.5'

-8. 5 '

5.4

5.1

-8.6'

-8. 6 '

5.8

8.0

-8.7'

-8. 7 '

6.1

10.0

-8.7'

-8. 7 '

6.4

12.4

-8.7'

-8.8'

-8. 8 '

6.8

15.3

-8.8'

-8. 8 '

7.2

18.2

-8.9'

-8. 9 '

7.4

19.7

-8.9'

-8. 9 '

7.6

21.2

-8.9'

-8. 9 '

7.8

22.6

-9.0'

-9. 0 '

8.0

24.1

-9.0'

-9. 0 '

40.5

35.5

30.1

25.0

22.3

17.0

11.8

6.6

1.4

-1.2

-6.4

-11.7

-16.9

-19.5

Road-
ny
clearance
back
axes

6.5

5.9

5.3

4.7

4.4

3.8

3.2

2.6

2.0

1.7

1.1

0.5

-0.1

-0.4

hail

* Calculation method: Front axle clearance angle (5.0°) x rear axle clearance angle (3.2°) = Runout (8°5' ±0.5°)

When repairing or servicing suspension and steering components, problems with loosening "stuck" bolts and nuts often arise. Fasteners located under the bottom of the car are constantly exposed to external influences and it is not surprising that over time they begin to corrode and partially collapse. Using brute force to loosen such "stuck" fasteners is associated with the risk of damaging them. First, wet the stubborn element with a small amount of a special penetrating liquid (such as WD40), allowing the latter to thoroughly soak the layers of rust. Use a wire brush to remove external deposits from accessible areas of the threaded surfaces. Sometimes a sharp blow with a hammer on the nut through a drift helps to destroy the rust filling the gaps between the turns of the threaded joint - try not to damage the threads as a result of the drift jumping off. Using a long handle to loosen a "stuck" fastener can significantly increase the applied torque, but it should be remembered that using extensions with ratchet-type drives carries the risk of failure of the return mechanism, not to mention the possibility of injury.

Any fastener damaged during the release process must be replaced without fail.

Since most of the procedures described in this Chapter are performed with the vehicle raised above the ground, it is necessary to take care in advance of options for securely fixing the vehicle in a raised position - prepare strong supports. To jack up the vehicle, use hydraulic trolley jacks - remember that the onboard jack included in the standard package is intended only for temporary jacking of the vehicle when replacing a broken wheel. The hydraulic jack can also be used to hang up some suspension components when performing a particular procedure.