From what I understand, Benz recommends 4 wheel alignment as well as strapping the car down to simulate a load as proper alignment procedure. Few indies do the simulated load aspect, which may or may not affect the quality of the result.
Could failure to observe this procedure exacerbate the shimmy? Maybe, maybe not, but I just thought I'd mention it for those reading.

long-gone...


I really don't understand your statements about alignements. There is a proceedure for alignment- straping the car down IS NOT IN THE PROCEEDURE. Anyway, yes the W124 is suppose to have a tire force applied to simulate at-speed forces. Without it, the car will be toe'd out too much at speed. All alignments should have approximate weighting based on the driver- if it's 150 lbs (assumed) then close for many ppl.

THere is a huge spectrum in those alignment specs... take some experience and skill with setting one up to getting a good alignment.

Is the shimmy seem even in the front or more from the left side? I'd say replace the wheel brgs and if there is ANY play in the idler arm- replace the bushings.

Michael

In a discussion at the parts counter at a Benz dealer I was told that the proper procedure (at least for my car, a w124) at a dealership was to strap down the car to simulate the weight of a driver (and passenger/s?). Since then I've read similar claims several times in various tech articles and forums.

As you mention, "... alignments should have proper weighting ...", the way I understand they achieve this is by strapping the car and winching it down to simulate the weight.
Perhaps I have it wrong though, is there a another procedure for simulating the weight? Have someone sit in the car, maybe use bags of sand or something?

My hunch is that's marketing with the service advisors...

I knew a mb alignment tech and they never strapped them down. The did use a spreader bar which is the key. Since most cars are driven msot of the time with only a driver... weighting the drivers seat makes sense- body or ballast. Not sure how they are going to "strap" to simulate that weight distribution- think about it.
Read the W124 manual... nothing about strapping one down there either=0)

Spreader bar.....yeah. The indie did not do my alignment, it was a different shop. He had to take a torch and hammer to get things moving. Apparently, the PO never did an alignment. I was the first one to do it in years based on how things were rusted together.

One of those old Benz mysteries I guess. Who knows. Worn steering gears transmitting unusually high amounts of vibration that a new steering box would not? Crap like that? Probably stuck with it

The indie never recommended bearings, the tire shop did. I declined the repair, hence the reason for my post about it

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL