85 300d Alignment - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bstef · #1 11-23-2007, 12:22 PM

For a few months I have looked around chicago to find someone who can properly do an alignment on my 300d. I was told I have to find someone who has the MB alignment Bar, and have found none.

Should I give up and goto the Dealer? EEEEK!

Anyhow- the other day my car was steering itself so much that
I will not even consider driving in snow. Please don't snow (oh wrong forum).

Anyhow- anyone have an idea of somewhere in the Chicagoland area I can get a good alignment job done... ?

(i've spent so long looking that my new tires are showing camber problems- outer edges of both fronts are worn)

Tx!

tangofox007 · #2 11-23-2007, 12:33 PM

My advice is to find a competent front end shop and be happy. That's what I have been doing on my 300D for the past 15 years. My car steers fine and the tires do not wear unevenly.

What's the difference between a perfect alignment and a good alignment, anyway? One pothole?

toomany MBZ · #3 11-23-2007, 01:32 PM

Not all shops can adjust these things, but any with a laser aligner should work. My nearest Sears.

Hatterasguy · #4 11-23-2007, 02:04 PM

Sounds like you need a lot more than an alignment if its driving that poorly. Jack up the front and tug and pull on the wheels, see if you can't find any slop.

Bstef · #5 11-23-2007, 04:45 PM

I just brought it by Sears- today.
They won't touch it, said they cannot.
Said I need to find the MB tool.

Hatterasguy-
thanks, made a note of that. I'm on it.

There are indy mechanics around here that are good with diesels,
but none I have found have the magic tool.

Um... yup.

tangofox007 · #6 11-23-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bstef

There are indy mechanics around here that are good with diesels,

There is nothing "diesel" about a W123 front end.

Bstef · #7 11-23-2007, 05:53 PM

"There is nothing "diesel" about a W123 front end."

That's true.

What I ment was that out of the indy mechanics I know, that DO know what their talking about...

I had a bunch (3-4) of indy "certified MB mechanics" tell me I needed a new transmission and they said that my cars vac system had nothing to do with it... I fixed the vac problem myself, and thus the transmission.

So, I'm not going to trust them with anything.
Thats what I kinda ment.

I should left the word diesel out...

toomany MBZ · #8 11-23-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bstef

I just brought it by Sears- today.
They won't touch it, said they cannot.
Said I need to find the MB tool.

Hatterasguy-
thanks, made a note of that. I'm on it.

There are indy mechanics around here that are good with diesels,
but none I have found have the magic tool.

Um... yup.

I believe they're referring to a spreader bar, not necessary! However, I'm afraid you may be stuck with the dealer. My local Firestone did the 123, no problem. But they would not touch the 126. When I took it to the dealer, I asked about the "weighting" deal, I was told this is old school, and any shop with a laser aligner will be just fine. The dealer would not touch without everything, tie rods, ball joints, etc. being replaced first, quoted me over $400, and "we don't have the parts in stock". Went to Sears, four wheel check, fronts adjusted, have a warranty, a cool print out, no problems.
Good luck.

EASTX300D · #9 11-24-2007, 11:26 PM

"My local Firestone did the 123, no problem."

Give your local Firestone a call. I know that the MB Indie near me uses Firestone to do alignments on W123s.

JWJ · #10 11-25-2007, 12:58 AM

When I checked on prices a while back the dealer was cheaper than the normal tire places.

One tire place said they couldn't do it due to the age of the vehicle. Seems the kids who work there didn't like getting their hands dirty. I was also told aligning such an old vehicle requires more time than a modern car so the price was $20 higher. They were going to need a special person on staff to do the alignment. Yeah.

SGT John · #11 11-25-2007, 08:11 PM

sounds like they already had a few "speschul" people on staff that day... I just replaced my tie rods, center link and steering dampener, then bought lifetime alignment on my W123 at Firestone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

When I checked on prices a while back the dealer was cheaper than the normal tire places.

One tire place said they couldn't do it due to the age of the vehicle. Seems the kids who work there didn't like getting their hands dirty. I was also told aligning such an old vehicle requires more time than a modern car so the price was $20 higher. They were going to need a special person on staff to do the alignment. Yeah.

zeke · #12 11-25-2007, 08:31 PM

I just had my alignment done by a dealer. Not a great experience - use the search function and you can see for yourself. Brake check says they can do it - and you get lifetime alignment and balance for $100 plus $15 per service.

The dealer ship says they used a spreader bar, but they mainly used a laser and mirror lift system.

I think I will go to BC next time. Or an indy- not back to the dealer!

tobybul · #13 11-25-2007, 09:14 PM

I have posted this a few times .... to find a place - like a Ford, Chevy, etc dealer who has a computerized laser alignment tool. The database of these machines normally have specs of domestic & foreign cars including MBs. I bring mine to our Ford dealer all the time for $52.