My car is a 1989 W201 2.0 diesel automatic.

Recently i replaced:

Lower control arms.
Left and right adjustments rods/Tie rods.
Center arm, the one the steering dampener connects to
Steering dampener
Bushing set for idler arm.

Al quality parts, Lemfoerder and Billstein.
I then had the front wheels aligned at an alignment shop and the document they gave me shows all the numbers being within specifications.

The problem is that when i turn the wheel more that a full turn, it feels like the steering wheel is trying to turn more and not return to center. It is not much, but i would expect "return to center", not "turn more"

Driving straight, it holds center fine, but feels a bit "loose" in the steering, but nothing that scares me.

Also when doing U turns, there is a rumbling sound coming from the wheels, and a vibration going through the steering wheel, and when doing it on gravel or cobblestones, it feels and sounds like one of the wheels is dragging or slipping over the ground.

My first feeling was that one of the wheels is turning more than the other, but could that be the case?

I had it up on a jack, and I can feel no movement in the wheels, nor can i find anything else wrong .

It seems like an easy job to replace the steering components, but before returning it to the alignment shop, i wanted to hear if I could have assembled it wrong in any way that would cause this issue.

This problem was not present before replacing the steering components.


As a side note, I have also replaced the front (not rear) shock mounts, rear subframe bushings, rear swaybar links, and front and rear swaybar bushings.
I still feel every crack in the asfalt as sharp knocks, and going over manhole covers, cobblestones, thick lane divider lines and any other surface other that smooth asphalt is felt through the suspension.

I have yet to replace the shocks, but will worn shocks really make everything felt through the seat?

Thanks for your help.

Claus Christensen
Denmark.

Something in the alignment is out. If the toe is out or if you have a bushing that's tired and allowing the suspension to move out of alignment, you'll get the behavior you describe. The noise you hear is one of the tires scuffing as you turn.

Not sure on the 201, but the 126 has adjustments for camber, caster, and toe. They're somewhat of a PITA to set up since adjusting one moves the other 2. They require patience and someone who knows what they're doing. Most shops won't touch them and the ones that will touch them really screw up the job.

__________________
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1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

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1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

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1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
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1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

According to the alignement shop, the front and back are within specs, as you can see in the attached photo.

It is in danish, but it shows the angles before (FØR) and after (EFTER) with the specifications in the middle.

VENSTRE means left side and HØJRE means right side.

FORHJUL is front wheels and BAGHJUL are rear wheels.

If any of you guys have more knowledge of the numbers, please comment on them.

I will be taking it back to the alignement shop when i can to have them take a look at it.

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