I was at a Goodyear shop getting the tires on my 1999 C230 balanced and asked about getting an alignment done at the same time. They claimed that it took special equipment to align this car and refused to do it.

They said I would have to go to the dealer to have it done. Is this correct? If so, I also have a 1998 ML320. Does it have to go to the dealer also? Thanks,

Don

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2008 ML350
2007 Honda Element
2007 Honda Accord
2009 Honda Civic

Any GOOD alignment shop can do it.
The " Special Equipment " may be a spreader bar ( which pre-loads the suspension ), and sometimes it may require " Camber bolts " which are specific to Mercedes.
Personally, for the few times I get an alignment done, I go to the dealer.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

At least they recognize their own limitations.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Actually the problem they have is that MB alignment specs after 1998 (Which can't be adjusted anyway so who cares) are specified by ride height and the height spec is based on measurement with a special electronic inclinamometer.

The only spec that can be changed without bolt kits is toe anyway so ignorance costs them. Since bolt kits can only change the spec a little less than .5 degs unless you are ready to stretch the frame there is really no reason for the knowledge of specs anyway. What matters in alignment is differences side to side and how the car drives.

All this changes with cars that have Airmatic or SBC suspension. In these cases the height is read with the Roemess tool and adjusted with the SDS before dealing with alignment.

Basically, MB used to be a very adjustable car and tires stores made their attempts. Now there is nothing that can be done anyway and they refuse

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

After reading your answer and thinking about what MB service costs, I was wondering how much more it costs to outfit and staff an authorized MB dealership's service dept. now than it did 15-20 years ago.

It sounds as though every model year calls for a whole slew on new instruments and a lot of new training.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

It's just that MB requires a bit of manufacturer-specific equipment, that's all. That PARTICULAR shop may not be able to do it, but many others probably can, though I'm not sure about the 1998 thing someone referred to previously. Just call around. I called today for my 1991, it was $140 at a MB (non dealer) repair shop. I called Good Year, one said they couldn't do it because they don't have the equipment, the next Good Year said they could do it, it was $100.

I then asked a friend of mine who works on cars in the low-rent district. He knew of a guy that is pretty good, is a general mechanic but is capable of working on MB's. I called him, the price was $50. I haven't used him yet, and maybe I'll get what I pay for, but these people in low-rent districts aren't stupid, especially if they've been in business for a while, they gain more experience as they go. It's their underlings you have to watch out for.

But I've found many times, for my other cars as well (Hondas and Toyotas), that the local GoodYear (who are very good), might charge $100 for a repair, then I go to a lower class area, and find someone who is helpful and in 2 cases, fixed it for FREE because the problem was easy, and the guy was trying to be helpful!!! Top that! I say, God Bless the lower-rent district mechanics. Their shops might look shady, but I've found them to be good people.

1991 300d, 92k

I was going to get the alignment checked because it was a standard maintenance sort of thing to do. But if it is not adjustable, is there any point? Thanks for the advice,

Don

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2008 ML350
2007 Honda Element
2007 Honda Accord
2009 Honda Civic