Recently checked with local alignment shop about front end. They said I need front and back aligned.?? Are they correct or are they just jerking my chain.?? Cost about $100 for all 4, $65 for front only.

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Gary
85 300D Ivory, 202,000
Beatus exsisto Jesu, verus et Deus verus Vir

But I called a place locally in the Bay Area hear and was quoted $59 per axel for my 300 SDL- it has no self leveling suspension. They said that once they look at it, they will be able to tell if it needs both.

My 300TD has a self leveling suspension and reportedly needs no rear alignment.

I hope this helps.

later

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84 300TD - 235k - Farbe "Surfblau" bought at 213k
87 300SDL - 131k - Farbe "PimpGold" bought at 115k
00 Klepper Faltboot Expedition Double

Today I went to get my front end aligned.. hasn't been done in 2 years. The guy asked me what was I experiencing and I told him nothing, just thought after 2 years it might need adjustment. His men pulled the car in the bay and checked it out, then called him out to the garage area. He called me out and said "it doesn't need alignment". It has a little play in the steering box, but that's it. He also said these cars were good about keeping an alignment. He charged me nothing and I went on my way. Thank goodness for honest people! The guys name is Charlie White on Merritt Island. I chose him from the Hunter "Balancing Machine" site and I'm glad I did. If I had gone to one of the dealers I'll bet my car would have been worked on and then charged a "pretty penny". Oh, Charlie charges $28.80 for front end alignment.. and he never mentioned doing the back wheels.

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Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)

Gary:

It would help to know the year and model M-B you're having the alignment done to.

Tom

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America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.

Sorry about that. I have a 85 300d.

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Gary
85 300D Ivory, 202,000
Beatus exsisto Jesu, verus et Deus verus Vir

Gary:

Your car requires a four wheel thrust alignment because you have 4-wheel independent suspension (thrust because the car is rear wheel drive, some places will just call it a 4-wheel alignment). The front end can be adjusted for toe-in, chamber, and caster. The back end can be adjusted for toe-in and camber.

Try to find a place that does M-B 4-wheel alignments, they should know how to do it properly. Ask a few questions, like "What do you adjust when doing a 4-wheel alignment on my '85 300D?" If they reply with the above mentioned adjustments, then they probably know what they are doing.

A while back I had NTW do a 4-wheel alignment on my '77 300D. NTW allows the customer into the work area. I asked the man doing the alignment a few questions, but staying out of his way. He told me that I was lucky he was doing the alignment because the other alignment man dropped one of the rear wheel alignment sensors/tools on the floor the day before and had not checked it for accuracy/damage - he just went on doing alignments!!!! Ask questions, look around, and observe what's going on and how people act.

Good Luck!
Tom

__________________
America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.

Thanks Tom. The man claims he worked for MB dealer for 13 years, probably in San Antone. Claims MB's are more complicated than most cars.
Just thought he was a little pricey.

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Gary
85 300D Ivory, 202,000
Beatus exsisto Jesu, verus et Deus verus Vir

GARY
I HAD A SOMEWHAT SIMILAR EXPERIENCE RECENTLY AFTER I HAD REBUILT THE FT END ON MY 300D. I CALLED AROUND SEVERAL SHOPS AND FOUND THAT MOST DID NOT ALIEN MB'S. I COULDN'T USE MY REGULAR ALIENMENT MAN AS THEY DON'T DO FORGIEN CARS- SEEMS STRANGE HE COULDN'T DO MY MB AS HE USED TO DO THE ALIENMENT ON MY THUNDER BIRD WITH 4 WHEEL INDEPENDANT SUSPENSION. ANYWAY ONE REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL MB DEALER AND I THOUGHT WHY NOT CHECK? THE SERVICE REP QUOTED ME $89.99 IF NO PARTS WERE NEEDED. IT DIDN'T NEED PARTS I HAD JUST REPLACED THEM WHICH IS WHY I NEEDED THE ALIENMENT IN THE FIRST PALCE. THIS AMOUNT WAS ONLY $20.00 MORE THAN I COULD GET MY TRK ALIENED FOR SO I SAID OK. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THE TOTAL WAS $91.00- HARD TO GET BY THEM SHOP FEES. ADDITIONALLY THE DEALER HAD WASHED THE CAR /WHEELS AND CLEANED OUT THE INSIDE FOR ME. PLEASENT SUPRISE, I FEEL LIKE I RECIEVED GOOD VALUE THIS TIME. AS FAR AS ALIENING THE FT WITHOUT CHECKING THE BACK -BAD IDEA. IF THRUST ANGLE IS WRONG YOU WILL NOT GET A GOOD ALIENMENT ON THE FRONT .
REX