I read that a spreader bar must be used for front end alignment for Mercedes W124.

Does any alignment guy (e.g. a technician at SEARS and so on) use a spreader bar?

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When setting front end alignment, a spreader bar must be used when adjusting the toe. This is a spring loaded bar that forces the front wheels apart with 90-110 NM(66-81 ft-lb) of force. The use of a spreader bar allows the alignment to duplicate driving conditions by preloading the rubber bushings in the suspension. The use of a spreader bar is the only way to get an accurate front end alignment.

Stu Ritter, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owner’s Bible 1986-1995, p.212.
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when i did wheel alignment, including those for a mercedes dealer in oakland ca. did not use spreader bar. and all the shops i knew of did not either. this was in the 80's to mid 90 era.
what i thought was that the alignment specs manual took into account the car was not moving .rear drive cars are toed in then pull to zero when driven. the proof is in the tire wear a year later.
toe wear is readable by eye. these specs are for cars with a tight front end and good idler arm.
rich

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88 300E White, sold 9-04
88 190E Black 2.3 sold
90 300CE White, Grey sold 12-24-04
92 400E White,Grey Sold 5-06
90 300CE 91K Signal Red,Black Sold 2007
1989 300CE Smoke silver,Tan Sold 1-08
1993 300E 3.2 M104 motor
1991 300CE White,Grey
1994 E420 beautiful car,gone to new home
1994 E320 Smoke an Parchment.Beautiful car

it would seem to me that the more wear in the suspension, the more you need a spreader bar to simulate the dynamic situation on the road. Otherwise, correcting the problem on the basis of the visible wear becomes mostly guess and try and guess and try again, over and over.

Just for curiosity.

Do they measure while the car is running on a thing like running machine? Then lift the car and adjust. The run the car on running machine and measure again?

work between the actual bead seats of the rims, not on the suspension parts, and therefore they can't possibly be in place when the wheels are turning.

I was talking to someone that has used a spreader bar. He said that it just helps do all the adjustments more evenly because it provides even pressure on the wheels. See mercedes front ends on w124s have a lot of adjustment at the lower control arm, so since there are so many directions you can move the eccentric bolts, the spreader bar enables the technician to spread the wheels evenly, but it can be done without it.

Make sure the steering wheel is centered before the alignment and moving the steering wheel over one spline is NEVER an option.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

hi, well when i said to use the eye method for toe in , what i mean is to check the way the aligment specs correct for tire wear.
what i've seen over the years are people setting toe in on cars with gauges that have been dropped or are just out of adjustment. they think they have the aligment set perfect but they are actually set off by a quarter inch. this creates a lot of tire wear. when i took readings on cars with perfect tire wear ,the readings currently on the car shold correspond with that tire wear. this only works on cars with worn front tires that have not been rotated. have to look at a lot of cars. and average them out. not exact. using a spreader bar on the alignment does not really correct for worn parts. only the fact the car is static and not under load, this will not correct for worn bushings or other joints. the specs i used had mini and max settings. for low or high milage front ends? cars with worn parts are repaired first. mercedes wheel align is the hardest of all cars.they have to be perfect. any minor adjust in camber,castor means major changes in toe.getting the wheel straight is an art.not like doing a toyota.
rich

__________________
88 300E White, sold 9-04
88 190E Black 2.3 sold
90 300CE White, Grey sold 12-24-04
92 400E White,Grey Sold 5-06
90 300CE 91K Signal Red,Black Sold 2007
1989 300CE Smoke silver,Tan Sold 1-08
1993 300E 3.2 M104 motor
1991 300CE White,Grey
1994 E420 beautiful car,gone to new home
1994 E320 Smoke an Parchment.Beautiful car

An MB dealer charges $199 for alignment.
Sears: $60.
Peb Boys: $65.

The last time I purchased tires at Sears, they sold me the tires, had them mounted and installed and only when I was about to pay for them, did they explain that they didn't have the equipment to do the alignment on the W201 . . . grrrr! Luckily there was an independent tire shop just down the road that could do it that day. Best bet is to call ahead, ask them if they can align your car and if there's the least bit of hesitation, call the next number.

This is very important for cars that are capable of driving over 80mph. Mercedes have a lot of caster angle to improve high speed stability.

I would never take anything of mine to sears, but that's my opinion clearly. I think it would be best to take a car to the dealer for an alignment, I would like to try this next time I need an alignment. I hear its about 100 to 200 dollars.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Just got a quote from my M-B dealer for a full alignment.....$ 75.00.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

My MB dealer charges $100 for an alignment, and they used the spreader bar everytime they've done it.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The $199.95 MB dealer (HERB CHAMBER):

http://www.herbchamber.com/location/chambers-motorcars/console.jsp?pageId=coupons&sectionId=3

A Hyundai dealer under the same chain (HERB CHAMBER) charges $79.95 for alignment:
http://www.herbchamber.com/location/auburn-hyundai/console.jsp?pageId=coupons&sectionId=3

I do not know what SEARS have for alignment, but for tires SEARS' data are a little off.

SEARS:
26/26 (tire pressure front/rear)
tightening torque: 81

MB:
27/27 for normal load
28/33 full load (this pressure with normal load is competely permissible)
torque: 80

for 1992 300D.

Another MB dealer says $95.
This MB dealer is more away from my location. They also sell Rolls Royce and Bently.

Do you think this MB dealer has worse alignment machine that the $199 MB dealer?
Or do they cut off in the inspection (I heard alignment technicians check body and suspension components before they really do the alignment itself)


By the way, an independent mechanic specializing in MB's says $60.

So much difference in price. Do I get what I pay for, or shall I avoid the $199 alignment?

My dealer just did the alignment on my 300E. This was after replacing both front tie rods and checking everything thoroughly. The only thing we found was the idler arm not completely tight.

The car drives like a dream now. I can't remember the last time it drove so well.

BTW, they did use the spreader bar.

My dealer gets $125 for alignment. The tech that does it is very experienced and super picky.

Have a great day,