95e300d 157,000. Tires only about 10k. No unusual wear on tires, but pulled pretty good to the right. Aligned at local MB indy last week for $90. Significantly better, but still pulls to the right - just not as hard. Had them check control arm bushings in front and they said they were ok - as did previous indy last year who inspected them. When I take it back, what might I suggest to them, as they obviously overlooked something? Something in the rear like a thrust arm or a control arm strut?

Last night, I drove my 85 300td with 250k+ and it still drove straight as an arrow when I let go of the wheel. If I could get the 95 as good as the 85....

At least on my 69 220d the bushings where the "trailing arm" (I don't know the correct nomenclature) bolts into frame affects steering./handling greatly. I have not replaced them yet, though they certainly are on my priority list, but I have been told by a very knowledgeable forum member that these bad rear bushings are central to my problem of having very poor steering control.

I think it's most discouraging to read about everyone's problems with getting their cars aligned properly. I have read countless threads on this forum about it, which makes me worry when it comes time for me to go through the same process. Thank goodness it seems straight now, but I can foresee in the future some balljoints or something and I hope and pray I can get it to drive straight afterward. Dangit how hard does it have to be? Why does it seem like no one can get this done right?

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Swap the two front tires side to side and see if it pulls to the left. First thing I check after we do an alignment and it still pulls.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

First, make sure that the car is still pulling right a flat road; i.e. no crown like the center lane of of 3 lanes.

Then, if swapping the tires does not change the pull to the right, there is a comment on this problem on the 124 CD under Group 40 Chassis Alignment, Programmed Repairs paraphrased as follows:

Complaint: Vehicle heads to the right on a flat road surface

Solution: Adjust Castor as follows: Left = 10 degrees; Right = 11 degrees

My '95 E320 wagon also pulls slightly right after a dealer alignment, and I suspect that the above would fix the issue as the solution makes good sense.

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as ever
Paul

1989 560SL
1987 300SDL
1987 300TD
1983 BMW 633CSi
1972 280SE 4.5

Will try the swap. Excellent idea. Will report tomorrow. Thanks.

Switched front wheels and car still pulls to the right. Letting go of the wheel at around 30 mph really seems to demonstrate the pulling.

This will actually make things worse in the long run but your car might go straight: Put 40psi in the front right tire (or whatever tire it's pulling towards) and 30psi in the front left tire (or the tire opposite the side it's pulling towards).

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1987 300SDL 167k
1992 Volvo 740 140k
1990 Volvo 740 250k
1989 Volvo 240 269k

Anyone want to trade an old Volvo for an '87 300sdl?

since you proved its not a tire issue ....go back to the alignment shop...maybe they made a mistake....a car should not be pulling sudenly after getting an alignment.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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