The Mercedes dealer told me my '91 300SE wanders and is subject to cross-winds because:

I replaced the 205/65/15 (ET= 21.5) with
225/55/16 (ET = 23) from the TireRack.

I put these on several years ago, and was as happy as a clam.
But at some point I noticed the car was susceptible to a wander
on the hiway.


I tried all the usual stuff over the course of several years:
Steering box, all the suspension parts, bushings, subframe bushings, etc.
everything you guys here suggested. Car is as tight and solid as when new,
But just moves around on the highway, especially if there is any wind.

So, the dealer got the nod.
They couldn't find anything to suspect - every component was great, alignment was good.
So, he blaimed the wider, bigger wheels.
'Hey Bud, you put on bigger, wider wheels and tires, of course it will affect the high-speed stability".

Is this possible?
Everybody changes wheels, even Mercedes went from 14" to 15" during
this model's life. And the offset ET is correct per TireRack.
Ever heard of 16" wheels causing a really nice car to wander around?
It's been doing it for 6 years, so it's not a bad tire or component I don't think.

Tks,
DG

I can't wait to see some replies.
My 300e has stock wheels, a tight steering box and an almost completely new front end... yet, it can a wanderer, too. I'm thinking that's just the nature of the steering... it's been checked/balanced and checked again...I need to drive someone elses to be sure!

I would not expect the size to cause the wandering, but certain tire types and tread designs have had tendencies to affect some of our cars to behave strangely.

I presume they checked the bushings in the REAR suspension as closely as they checked the front?

I've heard of some versions of the "Michelin Pilot Sport A/S" having troubles. I've noticed a slight instability on my 400E when I installed Michelin Harmony tires on it last fall.

What type of tire are you using?

__________________
02 S500
92 500SL
92 400E (Sold)
87 300E (Sold)
83 300D Turbo (Sold)
75 300D (Sold)
74 240D (Sold after 20 years)

I'll agree..certain tires are more prone to this than others...I would check suspension components for wear, front and rear, again.....the larger lower profile tires could have exagerated an existing condition.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Thanks, guys.
Yes the infamous rear subframe bushings and dif support were also renewed.
But I do have a very slight toe-out on the rear, which of course cannot be adjusted during alignment on a 126. It's in spec, but just barely.

Which brings up the question - is there a way to change toe on the rear of a 126 - offset swingarm bushings maybe?

I've run Conti's, Michelins, and now Yoko's over the past few years - no discernable difference. They all wander.

DG

I had a similar problem on my 300 Sd with 16x8 wheels and 225/60/16 tires I changed 2 sets of tires and the problem (all suspension components where checked and ok) remained until a tire shop guy told me to try 28 psi all around and like magic the wandering disappear at high speed, so if you haven’t done this, experimenting with different tire pressures may help, who knows.

__________________
2000 430 ML
2005 S500
87 300 D
61 300 restoring

I have frequently read that wider tires are more prone to wandering. I have also read that certain brands and styles of tires are more prone to wandering. If it is near time to try another set of tires, I would ask Luke at Tirerack for his recommendation for a tire that is less likely to wander in the 225 width.

My car is very sensitive to just about anything related to my tires. Everything has to be absolutely PERFECT, or I can feel it in my car. I think W124s are just very needy, when it comes to tire brand, pressure, balance, and alignment. I am afraid that the bigger the tires get, the more noticeable everything will be. At the same time, I am sure you can get it just the way you want it, if you are willing to take the time. I have my tires mounted and balanced at a Porsche "race tuner" shop. They have the latest balancing equipment and they are very careful to get everything just right. It does cost more than a typical shop, however, so I do pay a price for the nice ride. If you can believe this, it even costs more than the dealer!

__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/