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#1
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I hope all indies aren't like this
Sorry, just had to vent. I recently did an engine swap. An OM617.952 into my 1981 240D. I have been doing alot of little detail stuff and now I'm redoing the front suspension. New ball joints, upper control arms, guide rod bushings, tie rods, all wear items. All I need someone else to do is an alignment.
There is an indie shop down the street from my work. All they work on is MBZ's. I called the guy to ask him about doing the alignment. He proceeded to tell me about all the front suspension components that could be bad. I told him i was replacing all those items. He asked who was doing it, I told him I was doing the work. It was like he went into pissy mode. "Well, my alignment machine is down right now". So I asked him if he would recommened another shop, and he tells me Tire Kingdom. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure Tire Kingdom does a good job on most cars, but I had a bad experience on one of my MBs I had done there. Ok, I'm off the soapbox now.
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--------------------------- No matter how many times you explain it to me, I'm still right.....Surf-n-Turf |
#2
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I was under the impression that it's best to have alignments done at the dealership only.
I feel you though, my luck with indies in my area has been moderately satisfactory at best.
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-justin 1987 300TD, 1987 300TD 2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon |
#3
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Atleast at my dealership they treat me with some respect. They used to be an indie and are now official merc dealership. Small minded people tend to run small minded businesses......
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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg 1995 E420 Schwarz 1995 E300 Weiss #1987 300D Sturmmachine #1991 300D Nearly Perfect #1994 E320 Cabriolet #1995 E320 Touring #1985 300D Sedan OBK #42 |
#4
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He got pissy because he just saw his potential for $$$$$$ flying out the door.
Someone who knows the car inside and out??? blasphemy Find another shop. Even if its the dealer. Here in the DFW area we have a few indies. I like Zims, A German indie. The dealer is good but only one or two mechanics can work on my car. We have a shop, Loeffler's, the dealer is usually cheaper and I don't like the attitude. May be very good. But I just have not had them do any work. Firestone here in Grapevine does my alignment. Life time for $139.99. They have one mechanic who is very good. He is the only one who will do Mercedes and the 65 Mustang. So look for another indie or check Firestone. Dave
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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990 1980 240D, owned 1990-1992 1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993 1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004 1999 E300, owned 1999-2003 1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD 1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995 1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons) 1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004 2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver 1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold) 2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car |
#5
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I've only taken my car to my local indie once but I'm very impressed with him. He's known my dad for a while and always gives me a good deal. He worked at the local dealership for about fifteen years so he knows my model extremely well.
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Seth 1984 300D 225K 1985 300D Donor body 1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!! 1980 300SD 311K My New Baby. 1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo |
#6
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I have been in this shop before just to BS. You could eat off the floor in that place. They solely work on MBs and all years. I 'm sure it was just as dmorrison said. He got upset because he wasn't going to make a shop lease payment off me. I always do all my own work, but I have no way to do a real alignment. Maybe time to build a bigger barn to fit a rack in.
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--------------------------- No matter how many times you explain it to me, I'm still right.....Surf-n-Turf |
#7
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Quote:
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
#8
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Alignments, like safety inspections, are loss leaders or work generators for most shops, especially when the car owner's know little or nothing about their cars.
Most of the time people have alignments done when they notice something is wrong, like the car pulls or a tire is worn unevenly. So the first thing the shop will say is "before we can even do an alignment the car will need XXX" with XXX being ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings...etc. Before you know it the $79-$119 alignment has turned into $1000-$2000 worth of work. He knew you weren't going to be a good candidate for the big upsell and the alignment itself doesn't generate enough profit on its own so the machine suddenly went "down" - OK, you learned a lesson. This shop only wants to work on your car when they can sell you something profitable...they are not interested in doing what you want done. Find another shop who is willing to do just what you want done. The dealership is probably a good place to start - they won't turn you away and say the machine is down...just don't disclose as much information as you did to the indy when you call to make the appointment.
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Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz |
#9
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I am totally unconvinced of that notion. What is it about a MB front suspension that makes it so special?
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#10
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Quote:
- Peter.
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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#11
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There is a "spreader bar" that is to be used during the alignment.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
#12
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What feature of a MB suspension makes this necessary?
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#13
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MB does not supply toe in specifications like your average Ford or Chevy.
They have to load the suspension and use the spreader bar to simulate driving conditions. Only that way can the yget it right.
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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles OBK member #23 (\__/) (='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your (")_(") signature to help him gain world domination |
#14
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When the tech did my alignment I watched him( he let me in the garage)..
The bar puts IIRC 28lbs of pressure on the wheels.. I would only take my car to the dealer for the alignment.. Get it done right the first time .. plus you get to play with all the new cars.. I went to Central Florida Eurocars.. I recommend them for work on the W123.. They had no issue with my alignment or pressing my balljoint into the spindle |
#15
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Why? The toe is adjusted just like a Ford. What is it about the MB suspension that is different?
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