Somewhere I read that some special tool or set up was required to do a front end alignment on a Mercedes. I am about to replace the bushings in the front end and will have to have it aligned after. Am wondering if I can go to any alignment shop or do I have to go to a Mercedes shop. Will appreciate any information. Thanks, Milt.

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Milterino
76 450 S.E.L.

In order to do it right, there is a tool (bolt) that screws into the steering box to lock it in place. There is also a spreader bar that is supposed to be used. It fits between the front tires. If a shop doesn't use them or know about them, you may not get the alignment you expect. I have gotten my best alignments at a dealer.

Len

Thanks Len. "Spreader bar", that's the tool I had read about but had forgotten. Now here is another question. If I make precise marks where the eccentric bolts are positioned and match them when I finish putting in the new lower control arm and subframe bushings will I have the equivelent alighnment that I have prior to the repair. At this time the only steering complaints I have would be an almost imperceptible steering wheel vibration on the higway at about 60 mph. Milt.

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Milterino
76 450 S.E.L.

Milt: Having done that myself, I can say "Nope" quite firmly. I thought it'd be the same, but it wasn't even close! I haven't taken it to a professional since I doubt it'd hold any sort of adjustment with all the shot bushings. But I got it pretty close myself with a laser level and markings on my garage floor. It worked well, but not quite good enough. I have a vibration at about 60, that goes away at 80!

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

That's all great advice, in fact at this point I know about 800% more than I did when I started. Did come across a couple of great articles by Steve Brotherton and Duke 2.6. A lot more to this than I figured, in fact kind of interestiong the more you find out. Now I tried to find the alignment spec's for my car (76 450 sel) in the C.D. but couldn't. Does anyone know if they are in there and if so where, or off hand what would the camber, caster and toe in be. Thanks again Milt.

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Milterino
76 450 S.E.L.

I think the 116 had zero offset steering. And for sure the spreader bar refers to 123's, 116's - the ball joint Benz's.... dunno about 114/115's.

My tire shop backed off on allignment work for the same reason, sayin they didnt have the wheel spreader. If allignment is really horrible, Hunter machine should get it close.