Hi all, I just got back from a 5 hour trip to the dealer for my official MB alignment. The trip back was mostly highway at 70 mph. I noticed less shimmy at highway spped (still some there - maybe needs balance?), but the car still pulls right, pretty much the same as it did on the trip to the dealer.

Also, after all the talk here about spreader bars...etc, the lift at the dealer had laser beams and they attached mirrors to the wheels - so while the coffee was great, and the car wash was nice, I am not sure it was worth twice what I would have paid at Brake Check. Where they would have balanced the wheels along with the alignment - dealer didn't.

What should I do?

What gives with the laser beams?

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

Try swapping the left and right tires. Sometimes the tires get worn in that it makes it still pull in the same direction as before. This should take care of the pulling. If not, then send it back.

As far as the lasers, mirrors and computers, that is now a common thing for alignment shops.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

There is a thing called "radial drift" dont listen to the other idiots here, it does exist

Forgive my being obvious, but have you checked the tire pressure? I know..."Duh", but ya gotta ask!

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1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif

If it was a computer alignment system there should have been a record printed. Ask for a copy. Caster should be a bit higher on the right side than the left...maybe 1/2 degree. Camber should be set a bit further negative on the right side to...maybe 1/4 degree.

Yes, there is such a thing as radial pull and the tech should have driven your car after the alignment. If it still pulled with specs he was happy with he should have started swapping tires.

Tire pressure should have been a no-brainer. The first thing the tech would check (I hope).

Not to brag but I've been doing alignments for 25 years and I'm sent troublesome cars and alignment problems from other shops that can't figure things out. With the adjustment available on a 123 body there's no reason for the car to pull unless there's a deeper problem of the tech is lazy or just not familiar with alignments.

jim

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http://www.seriestrek.com

Dont mention it. Any competent dealer would fill the tires first to correct pressure.

That's what I thought, especially at the dealer (and dealer price )

I will still go check them after dinner.

I am a bit reluctant to swap tires in case they gripe about that.

Seems like they should have done that - like MercedesRover said.

They did take it for a road test. But didn't reprt any problems - but didn't give me a printout either.....

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

I second that. I had a Vw Dasher wagon that started to pull to one side. The alignment guy told me to swap tire sides first. The pull went away. I owe him a 6 pack!

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Swap front and rear or just front?

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

Rotate diagonally if ye can and always put best tread up front.

ok, I did it and put some air in the tires that were up front, Got rid of the shimmy I think, but it is still pulling. Guess I am driving back to the dealership

Wouldn't be as frustrating, but I had an appointment, but my car didn't make it onto the lift until 2 hours after my scheduled time!

I went to the doctor yesterday and it only took him 1.5 hours after my appointment time to get me up on his exam table!

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

when is the last time you changed your brake fluid? a stuck piston would heat up and transfer heat to the fluid and on a long trip would heat the fluid enought to cause even harder contact between pad and roter causeing the pull . the tech only drove the car around the block thus no heat. drive the car at interstate speeds for 30 min. stop [10 min] and check the rims thay shoud all be the same temp.
warmer than the others = stuck piston, been their done that.

Should be able to smell a stuck caliper, but check. MB recommends rotating front to rear. The local Sears has a laser aligner, I got a print out also. Call the dealer, it's quite far, and ask their thoughts, for all the good it'll do, but there should be some sort of warranty, and you should have been given a print out.
Good luck.

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83 SD

84 CD

I hate to also ask the obvious but did the front end alignment tech drive the car after he aligned it...If he didn't he didn't finish the job...

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83 300CDTurbo 307,000
2005 Honda Element 266,000
56 Nash Ambassador Country Club Special 34,000(under restoration presently)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=125099

He did drive it. I watched him leave the parking lot. And for several miles (the dealership is on a stretch of highway that where there is at least a mile between exits) but the pull is obvious at 100 yards.

I have never noticed any smell that would indicate brakes sticking.

__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT