I have been trying to get an alignmemt on the 84 300d with no lock. None of these chains want to touch it!!! I remember in the old days any shop would align it with a piece of string. Any time I ask where to take it they laugh and say dealer!!!! Fat chance. ANy ideas?

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72 280SE His Majesty

I use an independent alignment shop, not a chain (there are a couple in denver). If you can't find one, you are probably going to have to go to the dealer.

Call some local indie MB repair shops in 50 mile radius or so and ask where they take theirs to. Call a couple and see if you get the same advice. I stay away from those "chain" stores. You would probably get better results from a "chain gang"

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If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

You will need to go to the dealer as a special machine is needed to the alignment on these vehicles. If you look closely at the wheels on your vehicle, you will notice that there are 5 small holes around the center of the wheel. A special device attaches to these holes and allows the front end to be properly aligned.

What's the matter with the dealer? Alignments there are just a tad steep but you need it done the MB way to drive the vehicle without eating tires. Indys won't do it for much less either, at least not in the DC area they won't. One of the things you'll have to bite the bullet on I'm afraid. Your best bet would be American Service Center or Don Poole or some place like that.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Take it to the dealer..

get it done right the first time...

plus.. when I had mine in they gave me a loaner C230.... surprising.. I know

A piece of string (or similar) works fine for setting the toe of the front wheels when changing tie-rod ends. It is hardly sufficient for an alignment.

I must be lucky! My local guy does my alignment for $45 and it's dead on and tires wear perfectly on these Northern California roads.

The local Firestone does my 123's, Sears too.

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83 SD

84 CD

Where are you at, and whats the name of the shop?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Really you seldom need anything except a toe in adjustment. There is nothing special about a benz to align.

At the rear there are no adjustments anyway.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Isnt there a whole rear alignment process spelt out in the FSM? Or is it jsut for measuring sub carrier warp?

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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

You do NOT need to go to a dealer to get your car aligned correctly. There are many independent shops that have modern computerized equipment that can do this. Some 30 year-old equipment will not adjust as far as is required to adjust my cars (1985 and 1990), but others have done a good 4-wheel alignment for $40.00 here in Miami.

The reason to avoid a dealer is price. The dealer is perhaps more likely to do a better job, but in 7 years I have had no problem getting my cars aligned at independent shops, by which I mean shops that are unaffiliated with both Mercedes and national chains.

Always ask about 4 wheel alignment and shop fees. One shop quoted me a $40 price and then screwed me for $67 because my car needed a 4 wheel job (he should have known this when I told him the year and model) and then told me that everyone added a "shop materials fee" which seems to have been for hand soap, since no materials other than that was used.

If he takes a class from me, I am going to insist on a "punctuation fee" and extra for red ink used in grading his papers.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Please let me know where you go for that alignment! Last time i had a alignment done on my 87 300D it cost me about $126 at a indy in redwood city.

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Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

I got an alignment done here in Santa Rosa for 50 bucks. It isn't perfect so the handling suffers (have to change the lower control arms to get camber correct) but at least the tires don't wear out in 20K miles anymore.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi