Alignment questions
 

I went to the dealer today to have the E300 aligned. They were the best deal on short notice. We are taking it to New Orleans this weekend.

Anyway, they said the front is fine but he could not dial the rear in 100% due to worn shocks and springs. I did not think shocks and springs were alignment related. The car does feel a bit soft (in comparison to mine) but I have no idea what a E300 should feel like.

It's an easy job especially if I do it at one of the MB club tech sessions but I do not want to throw away good money if this is not an issue. The alignment seems pretty close to me but what do I know.

Thanks

Springs affect ride height. Castor, camber and toe change as a independent suspension moves. If the car is sagging then realigned, the rate of change at the lower height may be too great for good tire wear.

Worn shocks won't directly affect alignment, but they will allow the to bounce causing cupping wear.

^2x If the ride height is wrong you can't set up the suspension properly.

-J

Our shop spent almost 80K$ for the Hunter alignment machine and the Mercedes Romess tools to use with it. That is the top of the line alignment machine for Mercedes. It will calculate the correct settings based on ride height. If a car's ride height is out of spec, it will calculate the correct settings for that ride height. Either they are blowing smoke up your ass to sock you for more labor/parts or are not equipped to properly align a lot of Mercedes models.

Measure the distance between the center of the wheel and the fender lip directly above and compare with a known good 124 sedan. I'm more inclined to think worn carrier bushings are throwing off the reference than worn shocks and springs at 142,XXX miles.

Sixto
87 300D

I had thought about the parts scam thing but why do it on the back when the parts on the front are more costly and would make them more cash.

I saw the alignment It's a brand new shop so I suspect its a new tool also. It's had the stop sign looking reflector things on it if that means anything. I have a print out of the alignment. I'll try and post it later. I'll also measure the ride height when Ms Mash gets home with it.

what are the forum's recommendations on new springs?

I just want to have a stock car. it has new Bilstein comfort shocks but the springs are worn and sagging.