alignment
 

i was told only MB can do a alignment on my car, and even then they have to make sure they have the "special tools"

can any shop do this or do i have to pay $130 for MB to? :confused:

Some independent mechanics can do it with the right tools. I had one do it for 90 bucks but I don't think they did it correctly. My front tires are worn away on one side 10K later. May have been suspension issue but they should tell you that before messing with it.

I'd just pay the dealer to do it IF they can do it right. Hopefully someone here will chime in with a good dealership alignment experience.

G'mornin,

When I first got this car, I took it to a Goodyear Store, and wanted it checked and alligned if necessary......was told that their computer did not go back to 1985, so they had no data to allign to....

My first trip of any distance was to Dover, and the second NASCAR race there...while there, I checked with an old friend...who owns a tire store, used to be Goodyear, and asked him to have a look see.....he found the data, and also found the tie rods to be frozen.....so he did no adjustments (did not want to disable the car)....my car seems tight, shows no odd tire wear in the 3000 miles since....so I have not addressed the issue yet....one o' them sleepin' dogs....but I did ask here, about some unbelievably cheap tie rods on e0Bay...and was warned off.....

I will watch this thread, cuz I have the data, and when I get the parts, I'm gonna have to "git 'er done"....

SB

As far as alignments go...any good alignment shop "could" align your car!

But you need to stick with a shop that knows MB's...& make sure they do a 4 wheel alignment even though the rear ISN'T adjustable!

Check OR have the front end checked for excessive play & inspect the ball joints before having that alignment performed.

So if the rear isn't adjustable what are they doing back there?

Danny

It so happens, I bring ALL my cars to my local Ford dealer because they have the laser alignment eqpt ($45). The laser machines can align just about any car. The specs are programmed in their computer. In fact, the lasers are starting to get outdated.... theres newer systems available...

they make sure its aligned with the fronts.....?

p.s. as said earlier, make sure ball joints and tie rods are not sloppy or damaged... otherwise, aligning is useless..

My local benz dealership did it for only $70. It was cheaper than any other shop in town.

At the suggestion of many here in the Austin area, I took mine to Speedy Align and they did a great job.

Now, due to some really bad roads, I'll be taking it back to them for another (after 2 years)....