260E alignment question

[Benz300]

I'm gettting the alignment done at the dealer and have a question about the rear toe setting.
currently the toe is as follows:
Total toe : 0.17' (range 0.25' +/- 0.10')
left: 0.10' ( range 0.13' +/- 0.17')
right: 0.08' ( range 0.13' +/- 0.17')

does this seem ok or should the dealer be able to make the toe exactly 0.13' both left or right ? Is it too difficult of an adjustment ? More over is it adjustable without changing the camber or would the camber have to be changed in order to correct the toe settings ?

thnx.

Regardless of whether one setting effects another, the charge for alignment is not ala carte. They should put it in spec for that money. There are some alignment techs that will make it as perfect as they can. It's not required, but it's just their own prideful attitude.

Good luck,

[sbourg]

I'm guessing that a 2-minute difference in toe is within the positional inaccuracy range, and possibly even measurement error. Consider what effect even the minutest variation in bushing flex would have on such a measurement. If they were to spend (your money) for another hour's work to have the machine coincidentally get the same reading on both, then you were to drive back on the machine tomorrow, how close do you think they'd be?

Steve

[Benz300]

would the alignment, the way it is cause the rear to fish tail ? as that is the phenomena that I am experiencing.

[sbourg]

You know, if I were a pro doing an alignment, first thing I would check is for anything obviously wrong - e.g. wiggle everything to check for tightness. But I think a lot of shops don't, from my experience. It sounds like you have something loose in the rear, either a loose attachment bolt or worn out bushes at the suspension arms or subframe-to-body. Wiggling rear wheels while on the ground should reveal the former, inspection may be needed to determine the latter.

Steve