front end alignment on 1982 300td? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 05-07-2006, 01:40 AM

It's a little silly to try to guess which alignment adjustment is off, it really doesn't matter, it just needs a complete alignment and a new set of front tires. Hopefully that will solve the problem without having to replace any front end components. It's probably a waste of time to try to do it yourself, and if you get it wrong you will trash your new tires, which cost a lot more than the alignment would have.

t walgamuth · #17 05-07-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickydubs

let me throw a little more info. into the mix:

it's only the driver's side front tire that's wearing on the outside, the passenger's side is fine. the car does not track to one side or the other, and the steering wheel does not rattle or shake unless i go over 60, at which point i tend to attribute the shake to the imbalance between my two tires, since one is mostly bald on one side and the other is not.

that being said, it seems as though if i had a toe in problem the car would be a bit more wobbly than it is, or it would produce some other ill effect. any more ideas?

thanks again for all your contributions so far,

nick

well, if it were a toe problem i would expect both tires to be wearing. this sounds like camber or a bent susupension.

and i dont mind being silly if it might save someone from spending $70 who really doesnt want to. i can remember having trouble paying for the parts let alone professional help.

i would sit at my table on wednesday or thursday and make out my jc whitney order form and write the check in anticipation of friday (payday). back then you could get precious little at the local parts places.

tom w

TwitchKitty · #18 05-07-2006, 10:18 AM

Alignment is very doable as a Do It Yourself project.

If you do pay for alignment, ask around at some body shops to see who they use. Pay for a lifetime alignment with the understanding that they will realign your car after you fix your suspension and buy new tires. Don't abuse the realignment agreement.

Racers have been aligning their race cars forever. One technique is to measure from parallel strings for the toe. On most cars you would set the parallel strings to the pinch welds under your car. I have heard this technique called a "string box". Use a square or a square piece of plywood to set the camber. Google will find instructions for this technique.

Another DIY alignment technique uses laser levels for alignment. Laser levels got cheap, real cheap. A few days ago I posted a link to a thread in another forum detailing this technique.

Like any DIY project, if you don't have the background or put forth the effort to learn, success will vary according to your effort.

TwitchKitty · #19 05-07-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

well, if it were a toe problem i would expect both tires to be wearing. this sounds like camber or a bent suspension.

tom w

This sounds right on the money to me.

When you buy a used car you never know where the tires came from or how long they have been on the car. They may be used tires that were put on the car right before you looked at it. The wear you see on the tires may not be as a result of running them on that car.

t walgamuth · #20 05-07-2006, 10:25 AM

yes.

good point about not knowing if the tires are reflecting the cars actual condition.

tom w

tangofox007 · #21 05-07-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwitchKitty

Racers have been aligning their race cars forever. One technique is to measure from parallel strings for the toe. On most cars you would set the parallel strings to the pinch welds under your car. I have heard this technique called a "string box". Use a square or a square piece of plywood to set the camber. Google will find instructions for this technique.

Another DIY alignment technique uses laser levels for alignment.

That sounds like a great new item for Home Depot. The plywood/string/laser front-end pit in box!!!