Those machines seem pretty idiot proof, I guess the operator could have input incorrect vehicle info or something. My indy has one (with MBUSA software), the process seems pretty straight forward to me. Maybe it is a calibration issue with the machine?

Correct vehicle was on the screen...........I verified it.

The machine doesn't get a calibration for each vehicle.

The entire result leaves me a bit skeptical of whether they can ever deliver a proper job............next time we use a ruler and a level as a final check for toe and camber, respectively.

It also would have been nice if they took it for a test drive.

If you bring it back and the machine still says it's OK, you will know they have issues.

BenzDiesel

It was getting late (6:45) and I figured it was fine...........everything was right in the middle of the green..............

Are they new tires?

How much was the alignment 'out'?

__________________

Yep.

Didn't measure it, but I'd guess that the toe was about + 3°

I thought Mercedes didn't supply toe in measurements for the older vehicles?

That's why their supposed to put weights in the front and use a spreader bar.

I wasn't too impressed with the alignment I got from MB either.

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

Don't go to the stealership for an alignment. They charged me 220.00 after a phone quote of 110.00 and they would not honor the phone price. No parts installed only an alignment. I'm not too happy with the job the steering now seems loose and has too much play in it. I'm not too sure they did a good job I don't drive this car often and really cannot recall if the steering felt as easy as it does now. It wonders a little to the right while driving on the long Island expressway on a straight strip. The car had 3 miles more on after they finished. (240d 1983)

The dealer here in Queens, New York (Helms MB) has a setup that the customer cannot have access to the shop. You are left in a large waiting area coffee. donuts, TV and the service managers all clean and pretty. Nice people take your car and hope they are doing the right thing.

I would not advise an alignment by the stealership to any one.

Anthony

Got mine done yesterday at the dealer, and it looks perfect. I'd say something went wrong Brian. Were you doing a "Dukes of Hazard" impersonation on the way home??

I'm having the same problem with a new toyota 4 runner. Wears tires and wanders since new. Paid stealership 75.00 to tell me it was in factory specs

Factory specs are what they call in the green and sometimes have a wide range. new alignment machines the same as wheel balancing machines, have the go no go computer systems coarse and fine adjustments supposed to ease use. Basically takes the operator out of the equation.

I have a shop that uses an old machine and the book. he said he can align anything within a gnats a!! (never seen one but pretty small from what I've heard ) He told me on some of these cars it can take 30 min to 1hr my toyota for instance. This does not fit in with high production cost concerns so you get green / red pass fail zones drive it on hit the switch , please pay at that window sir.

I was trained on an old bear machine back in the 80' so I've forgotten more than I remember . I do remember the measurements and how many times you had to reset some cars to get them within specs. I guess thats what he was talking about.

Yours does look as if the machine / sensor was off bring it back and take your ruler & level with you .

The last time I got an alignment at a shop I didn't like the way my car drove after so I did the string test to get one side going streight and the used a tape measure to set the toe and I have been very happy with it since, I do recheck it about every 3 or 4 months. Ever since I did this my front tires have been showing even wear and before I did it they were wearing on the outside.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

I put a new set of tie rods on my VW a few years ago and then used a pair of laser levels fastened to the wheels to set toe. I thought I got it right (when you project them out , you can get very accurate) I chickened out, though and went to an alignment shop where the guy told me I was pretty close, but he reset it. Then, my tires wore out in about 20K miles

So, with new tires, I reset the toe myself with the "chalk" method, and used a large "L" square with a level to set camber. Months later, all is well.

I also set the toe on my wife's 300D with "chalk" a few months ago. - no issues

Who needs 'em?

Rick

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Is there a tutorial on these methods somewhere on the net?!

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Ya, chalk method. Using a string... ?? I second the ask.

I'd like to do something simple at home to assess if it's in the ball park after having done all my rear links. And why is my steering wheel needing a couple degrees to the right to drive a straight line? ...things like that.

__________________
Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D