Im planning to get new tires for my 1982 300D Turbo, now the car right now pulls to the right, so Im guessing that means the car will need to be aligned, what I read so far is that any where you go to the alignment comes out wrong, is pepboys a good place for alignment? Also what tires do you recommend im thinking of the Michelin X-ones. Whats a better size 195/70/14 or should I get a different size tire like 205/75/14?

and find a good independent front end alignment place where you can actually talk to the guy doing the work. Make sure you tell him to tighten the lug nut MANUALLY with a lug wrench - preferably the one out of your trunk. If you don't then the next time you try to remove a tire with the lug wrench you will play heck.
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

I second the motion to stay with 195/70/14 tires. These cars tend to be a bit hard on tires. Changing sizes is not a good idea. For whatever it's worth, myself and several others have had poor results with Goodyears (sidewall failures) and good results with Bridgestones. There are also quite a few owners who prefer Michelins, although some say they have had a hard time balancing the Michelins.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I'm running the Bridgestone 205/70-14. Love them. Ran through 2 sets of Michelins and only got about 30M per set. Switched to Bridgestones and get about 40M per set. Bridgestones were much less money and got better mileage. The last set I bought were from Costco. They mounted them and did a real nice job. Hand torque etc. Pep Boys for an alignment? Are you nuts? Find a front end specialist. Most independent MB mechanics have their favorites. Get some referrals. Or try the high end body shop in town and get their referral. Most body shops sub-contract the alignment.

84 300D 375M

I recently installed a set of Yokohama Avid H4 195/70R14s on my '83 300D and am quite pleased thus far. They ride very similarly to the Michelin Energy MXV4s which I had on it previously, but are half the price. I think Tire Rack lists the Yokos for $44/each compared to $94/each for the MXV4s. I also agree with sticking to original size tires. I put Bridgestone Turanza H Revos on my '80 300SD last summer and found them to be among the best tires in wet weather I have ever used, although they ride a little harder than Michelins. Those were around $71/each if I remember correctly. But for the W123, I'd give these Yokohamas a shot if I were you. The car corners wonderfully now. By the way, they are uni-directional treads, so keep them on one side of the car only!

As far as alignments go, either go to an independent MB or European repair shop or go to the dealer. I prefer alignment equipment made by Beisbarth (good German make) or Hunter (top of the line, US made).

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Regards,
Aaron

how much does alignment cost at the dealer ?

I just went to a local PEP BOYS and they said they couldn't do my alignment because you had to attach weights to the car for something............ ???????????????..........

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Audi TT

Least they admited they could not do it correctly..



On the subject of tires, I thought the 195 was a little slim, but perhaps it's enough.

I do know the sidewall on my OEM spare, uniroyal I think, is the hardest sidewall I've ever felt in my life, and I don't believe it's from age. Mabye that's how they got away with a skinny tire.
It even says Made In Germany on it..

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

They are probably just beefier than the newer tires. With many of the new materials that sidewalls seem to be getting softer and softer which is fine if you like that 4 wheel drift feeling going into a corner.
I had a really touch time finding a tire for my Chevy van a couple of years back because even the heavy tires were soft on the sides. With a boat behind me it felt like my tail end was moving all the time.

I like the prices on those Yokohamas and might look into those the next time I need tires.

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'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

You'd have to call your local dealer and ask as prices differ across the country.

I went through this once with a Merkur Scorpio at CarMax. They said there was supposed to be a certain amount of weight present to simulate a driver in the seat, and refused to do the alignment. Then I took it to Sears where I bought a lifetime alignment and they did a fantastic job. Good thing, too, because that car went out of alignment every 6 months or so.

Just in case you guys didn't notice, everything in the thread above kamil's post is about three years old.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Thrust alignment - interesting concept. Just put new shoes on the SDL and negotiated an alingment with the deal. The tech on the alignment walked me through the entire alignment process -quite interesting and cleared up some misconceptions I had.
Wish I had the machine in my garage

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Eccentric trailing arm bushings are available to accomodate adjustments that may be necessary after a collision but require that the installer take comprehensive measurements from the body and use them when setting up the subframe on the assembly stage.

No provisions are made on the car for either shims or eccentric bolts at the trailing arm pivot locations.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

try to find out why it may be pulling, other than the alignment. Do you have a tire with a bad belt? swap them side to side and see if the pull moves or stops..

How are the tires wearing, this is the greatest tell tale sign. Reading the wear pattern can tell you what may be off in the alignment..

Alignment usually do not change much unless you bend something, and that is hard to do...

I prefer to leave aligments alone if everything is wearing well and car tracks correctly..

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79 240D my current toy
42 years a Diesel addict

240D sold
250SE sold
220D sold
280C sold
280S sold
300D (2) sold
300CD sold
300DT sold
300SD sold
380SL sold

Jackie Cooper in Tulsa asked $195 total for a front alignment.

After they figured my ball joints were bad they charged me $95 JUST because they put it on the rack.

If you take it to a dealer, make sure that all your joints, seals, and tie rods are in good condition.