W123 Wheel Alignment - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rmmagow · #1 11-03-2011, 04:35 PM

Frequently I've heard that most shops can't line these cars up properly and one is advised to go the the dealer for the alignment. I don't much care for my local dealer, shop guys in white doctor coats and if it's not a 100K E55 or something there's not much interest. Most of them were still in grade school when the car was made.
So, all I need is a toe adjustment/measurement in front. I am putting in new tie-rods, center link and the idler arm thing. My car's not pulling, probably doesn't need this done but I have the parts and 190K miles and the steering is sort of loose. I may try to adj the steering box first. Can a reasonably experienced shop do a simple toe check and adjustment on this car?
85 300 DT, 190K miles.

Skippy · #2 11-03-2011, 05:19 PM

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: The FSM calls for a spreader bar to be installed during the alignment in order to simulate road force at highway speed. Hardly anybody actually has one of these tools, so in order to get a good alignment, you have to fudge the factory specs a little. There are a few shops that can do this and get it right, but most can't.

WNC123 · #3 11-03-2011, 06:19 PM

i just rebuilt the whole front end on my '85 300TD. when i asked the local independent shop about an alignment, they said, without hesitation, to take it to the dealer because they have had not good success with local alignment places. i had never been to the MB dealer here before, but they were nothing but friendly and had no problems working on my car (or taking my money!). i feel it was worth the expense and mental satisfaction to have it done by someone who knows what they are doing, rather than chancing it with someone who "might" get it right.

tangofox007 · #4 11-03-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Longer answer: The FSM calls for a spreader bar to be installed during the alignment in order to simulate road force at highway speed.

Is "road force at highway speed" a phenomenon that is somehow unique to a Mercedes vehicle? Do Fords and Chevrolets not experience "road force?"

Skippy · #5 11-03-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Is "road force at highway speed" a phenomenon that is somehow unique to a Mercedes vehicle? Do Fords and Chevrolets not experience "road force?"

Not at all. Of course this happens with all cars. It's just that the other manufacturers specify the alignment to be set without such forces in effect.

rscurtis · #6 11-03-2011, 08:58 PM

I adjusted the toe on my '83 when I bought it, as the steering wheel was a little off center and the front end was slightly toed out. I made several adjustments until the wheel was straight, and that cured it. That was over 6 years ago and the tires are still wearing perfectly.

SD Blue · #7 11-03-2011, 10:09 PM

One of the reasons that the dealer is recommended is that toe and camber are both adjustable and interact with each other on this suspension. Toe is adjustable independently but if the camber needs to be adjusted, then most shops aren't trained, or don't want to because it takes longer.

An alternative is to find someone with a laser alignment machine. I took mine to a local shop that has one that the computer literally tells the mechanic where and how much to adjust. The thing is with these alignments you can expect to pay more as it is more than your basic wham-bam toe-and-go that some shops call an "alignment".

tangofox007 · #8 11-03-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

Toe is adjustable independently but if the camber needs to be adjusted, then most shops aren't trained, or don't want to because it takes longer.

An alignment shop that cannot adjust camber is like a dentist who doesn't know what a drill is.

vstech · #9 11-03-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

An alignment shop that cannot adjust camber is like a dentist who doesn't know what a drill is.

but the unfortunate truth is many many many "alignment" shops simiply do not understand any more than hooking up the wires to the wheels, and turning a nut until the computer tells them to stop.

all these computers when you put in MB state to install the rod, and since the shops don't have the rod, they have no idea how to set anything on the car, and they tell ya they can't do it.

if your car is driven into your garage, and all you do is remove a tie rod WITHOUT lifting the car, then you can adjust the toe yourself with a measuring stick and a nail... it's not hard to do.
if you do lift the car for the parts change, then you need to go drive the car first, then pull the car onto a level, or fairly level surface, and measure the toe and adjust it with your new tie rod's sleeve.

Skippy · #10 11-03-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

An alternative is to find someone with a laser alignment machine. I took mine to a local shop that has one that the computer literally tells the mechanic where and how much to adjust. The thing is with these alignments you can expect to pay more as it is more than your basic wham-bam toe-and-go that some shops call an "alignment".

The shop I worked at in Coronado had one of those. It even had pictures of which bolt to turn and which way to turn it.

Of course, it was only good up to 14,000 lbs, so I got to do toe on a Freightliner with jackstands, a tape measure, and string.

vstech · #11 11-03-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

The shop I worked at in Coronado had one of those. It even had pictures of which bolt to turn and which way to turn it.

Of course, it was only good up to 14,000 lbs, so I got to do toe on a Freightliner with jackstands, a tape measure, and string.

my hauler is only 13,000 lbs, ya wanna come align it for me? it's waaay squirley on the highway with a pair of cars on top, and towing the third...

Stretch · #12 11-04-2011, 03:11 AM

Here's the information I've got that might help.

Firstly if you want to do it your self have a look here

How I adjusted the toe in / out, camber and caster on my W123 300D

Secondly from the little I have learnt about letting other people adjust your steering / suspension it seems as though lots of people don't know how to use their super duper NASA calibrated laser guided equipment. See for example this post

1983 240D WHEEL ALIGNMENT (new purchase)

Here the solution was to get the operator to "sweep" the wheels between adjustments (what ever that means)

From my own experience (of doing the job myself) I can confirm that using a spreader bar makes one heck of a difference to the position of the front wheels. I've seen it with me own eyes!

tangofox007 · #13 11-04-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

From my own experience (of doing the job myself) I can confirm that using a spreader bar makes one heck of a difference to the position of the front wheels. I've seen it with me own eyes!

That would suggest that your steering/suspension components were pretty worn.

tangofox007 · #14 11-04-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

The shop I worked at in Coronado had one of those.

A shop in Coronado? Things must have gone downhill since I was there!!! I don't think they allowed such things in town in the '80s. Anyway, lot's of Mercedes in Cornado. Not everyone there could afford two Bentleys.

Stretch · #15 11-04-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

That would suggest that your steering/suspension components were pretty worn.

Doh! Sorry! I missed out one very important point...

...the front wheels were on slip plates!

(The whole front end had just been rebuilt - all new parts through out - which was why I was going through all the trouble of adjusting it my self. As this project of mine has dribbled on and on I've actually got to do it all again as the car is now stripped to nothing - well nothing else at all can come off it now... When I've rebuilt the car I plan to take it to the dealer for the road worthy check (APK = MOT) - I want them to check my adjustments with their alignment rig... The plan is that I'll be gloating as they will never have seen such a fantastic spot on set up before and I'll be saying "well I adjusted that with spirit levels and string"!)