I hope all indies aren't like this - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Surf-n-Turf · #1 02-07-2007, 01:20 PM

Sorry, just had to vent. I recently did an engine swap. An OM617.952 into my 1981 240D. I have been doing alot of little detail stuff and now I'm redoing the front suspension. New ball joints, upper control arms, guide rod bushings, tie rods, all wear items. All I need someone else to do is an alignment.
There is an indie shop down the street from my work. All they work on is MBZ's. I called the guy to ask him about doing the alignment. He proceeded to tell me about all the front suspension components that could be bad. I told him i was replacing all those items. He asked who was doing it, I told him I was doing the work. It was like he went into pissy mode.
"Well, my alignment machine is down right now". So I asked him if he would recommened another shop, and he tells me Tire Kingdom.

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure Tire Kingdom does a good job on most cars, but I had a bad experience on one of my MBs I had done there.

Ok, I'm off the soapbox now.

justinperkins · #2 02-07-2007, 01:21 PM

I was under the impression that it's best to have alignments done at the dealership only.

I feel you though, my luck with indies in my area has been moderately satisfactory at best.

tangofox007 · #3 02-07-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I was under the impression that it's best to have alignments done at the dealership only.

I am totally unconvinced of that notion. What is it about a MB front suspension that makes it so special?

R Leo · #4 02-07-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

I am totally unconvinced of that notion. What is it about a MB front suspension that makes it so special?

The ability to drastically alter the steering caster for one thing.

winmutt · #5 02-07-2007, 01:36 PM

Atleast at my dealership they treat me with some respect. They used to be an indie and are now official merc dealership. Small minded people tend to run small minded businesses......

dmorrison · #6 02-07-2007, 01:46 PM

He got pissy because he just saw his potential for $$$$$$ flying out the door.
Someone who knows the car inside and out??? blasphemy

Find another shop. Even if its the dealer. Here in the DFW area we have a few indies. I like Zims, A German indie. The dealer is good but only one or two mechanics can work on my car. We have a shop, Loeffler's, the dealer is usually cheaper and I don't like the attitude. May be very good. But I just have not had them do any work.
Firestone here in Grapevine does my alignment. Life time for $139.99. They have one mechanic who is very good. He is the only one who will do Mercedes and the 65 Mustang.
So look for another indie or check Firestone.

Dave

pj67coll · #7 02-07-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

So look for another indie or check Firestone.

Dave

Just curious as to wether or not Firestone would really be a good idea. I have one near my place and they have done quite a bit of work for me in the past. Seem to be a pretty good outfit. Anyway the manager there who used to work for an MB BMW indie was telling me the other day that the cant do alignments on Mercedes without some special tool. Is that correct and is that why folks generally recommend the dealer?

- Peter.

rrgrassi · #8 02-07-2007, 02:53 PM

There is a "spreader bar" that is to be used during the alignment.

tangofox007 · #9 02-07-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

There is a "spreader bar" that is to be used during the alignment.

What feature of a MB suspension makes this necessary?

dmorrison · #10 02-08-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

There is a "spreader bar" that is to be used during the alignment.

Not sure about this. Not saying your wrong but the dealer here who did my car for a while never used a bar. The unit was a 4 wheel laser alignment lift. I put 70,000 miles on those tires.
The Firestone shop here in Grapevine, Texas has a 4 wheel laser alignment lift. And all 3 cars they have done ride fine. Tire wear seems normal.
I watch all work done to my cars. The aligment at the dealer, I was right there as well as at Firestone.
Next time I go to the dealer and Firestone I will ask what machine they have. It could be that certain machines can do Mercedes and certain ones cannot.

Is it covered in the Service Manual about the spreader bar?

Dave

JimmyL · #11 02-08-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Here in the DFW area we have a few indies.

My indy is right there in Colleyville. Are you familiar with Don? I couldn't be more pleased with an indy than I am with him. It is just difficult to get my cars way over there and then get back home. Then go back and do the pickup. I've told him he needs a cheap loner....

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Firestone here in Grapevine does my alignment. Life time for $139.99. They have one mechanic who is very good. He is the only one who will do Mercedes and the 65 Mustang.
Dave

Where is that Firestone located? I may need to use them.
Does anybody in the DFW area use any of the dealerships for an alignment?

Isn't it also important to center the steering gear box with some sort of pin?

dmorrison · #12 02-08-2007, 12:55 AM

Firestone 1201 William D Tate Grapevine (817) 488-3278
For the alignment ask when Fernando will be working. My son's freind has a 67 Cougar and got us over to Firestone. We took my son's 65 Mustang and they did a good job. Asked Fernando about the Mercedes and he said he could do them. He is the only one at the shop they will let touch the Mercedes and older cars. If he leaves that shop I'll have to track him down.
The 67 Cougar went to the Firestone in Austin but they would not touch the car. So each Firestone is different.

I have used Park Place Mid Cities for aligments over the years but it's expensive and the Firestone deal is much better. We bring the cars in every 6 months or so.

I have heard of Don, but I do all my own work. But then again he couldn't figure out "smokey" for you could he??

There is a separate center pin tool for the gearbox, but the opening is also a drain plug so you don't insert the pin for alignments only for steering box instalations. When Fernando aligns the car he carefully centers the wheel and checks geatbox play while doing it. Once the wheel is centered he then does the alignment. As I have said, all three cars have run true and straight after their alignments. Fernando also looks under the car and will report anything he finds. He reported a small differnetial leak in my sons Mustang as well as a front suspension bushing that was failing.
A good mechanic and the shop does not seem to try and gouge you. All I have ever gotten from them is the alignment and an inspection.

Dave

JimmyL · #13 02-08-2007, 01:05 AM

Sounds like that is who I will use then if I don't hear of another on my side of the world. If that is a lifetime alignment, I certainly hope he does stay there.....

Rashakor · #14 02-08-2007, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Firestone 1201 William D Tate Grapevine (817) 488-3278
For the alignment ask when Fernando will be working. My son's freind has a 67 Cougar and got us over to Firestone. We took my son's 65 Mustang and they did a good job. Asked Fernando about the Mercedes and he said he could do them. He is the only one at the shop they will let touch the Mercedes and older cars. If he leaves that shop I'll have to track him down.
The 67 Cougar went to the Firestone in Austin but they would not touch the car. So each Firestone is different.

I have used Park Place Mid Cities for aligments over the years but it's expensive and the Firestone deal is much better. We bring the cars in every 6 months or so.

I have heard of Don, but I do all my own work. But then again he couldn't figure out "smokey" for you could he??

There is a separate center pin tool for the gearbox, but the opening is also a drain plug so you don't insert the pin for alignments only for steering box instalations. When Fernando aligns the car he carefully centers the wheel and checks geatbox play while doing it. Once the wheel is centered he then does the alignment. As I have said, all three cars have run true and straight after their alignments. Fernando also looks under the car and will report anything he finds. He reported a small differnetial leak in my sons Mustang as well as a front suspension bushing that was failing.
A good mechanic and the shop does not seem to try and gouge you. All I have ever gotten from them is the alignment and an inspection.

Dave

I also had good experiences with alignment at the Firestone in Irving on macarthur blvd just south of 635. They were with the fact that they will not touch the car for R12/ ac work but did the alignment fine. Now that i am ready to purchase new tires for the 240D i really think they will be Firestones! (talking about loyalty!).

sailor15015 · #15 02-07-2007, 01:48 PM

I've only taken my car to my local indie once but I'm very impressed with him. He's known my dad for a while and always gives me a good deal. He worked at the local dealership for about fifteen years so he knows my model extremely well.