Got my 4 wheel alignment done at the MB dealer. It was way more in cost, but the only place that even had a concept of a "spreader bar". They call it a "toe press" but I believed it was the same thing. All went well, except for a minor comment on the bill. Didn't notice until I got home. The tech left a comment..."Bushing getting worn, test drive OK". Stated in the singular, I wonder what bushing it is. It rained today so I didn't go look. Anyone have a guess, about a single bushing that fails? Oh it cost me, gasp....192.00

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85 300TD FED-Daily
84 300SD-Wife's
86 XJS-Sunday
66 GMC-Work- Given to my stepson
83 BMW Airhead- Given to my stepson

I had my 81 done at an indy who charged me $167 because some of the fittings were "stuck" and took more time to adjust.
My 82 cost 67.50 at the same place with all new front end components.
No spreader bar but a digital/computer controlled alignment machine.
Both cars track straight and with new tires on both cars I can see tire wear if it occurs.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I have had an alignment twice recently on my TD and it's still not right. They say nothing needs replaced in the front end but it obvious somethings not right. I replaced a lot of the stuff already.

$100-$150 is what I paid.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

you guys will laugh but Midas did it for 90$ and all is well with my alignment.

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1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

That's really not a bad price from an MB dealer. Now, don't back into curbs hard either. I have to remind myself of this since my W210 is rear-wheel aligned too.

No guess on which bushing from me.

In my experience, old or bad tires can easily be misdiagnosed as an alignment problem. This happens a lot more often than most people think. About 3 out of 4 sets of tires I've had, I've retired before the tread wore out because one or more of them started pulling. I'm not sure if it's internal tread separation or what, but this has happened to MB, Hondas, Bridgestone, Michelin, you name it. If your tires are past half of their treadwear warranty, they could very well be the problem. Easy way to tell is to switch tires from left to right and see if the pulling switches direction.

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1972 280SE 4.5
1984 300SD, 250K
1991 300SE, 89K
1992 300D (330K miles when KIA'd by mother-in-law 8/10/09 - still sitting in my barn)
1994 E320, 109K
1995 E420, 60K
Proud Member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America - Idaho Chapter

What does """ mean?

Tango,

Somehow when that post was typed in or copied in, it did not transfer well, the hi-lited characters are computerese for the Quote mark --- " --- .

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

Thats right, I paid $99.00 for a 4 wheel computerized alignment yesterday. It was done by a local independent tire shop. I had changed the upper control arms, bushings, and ball joints last week, and most of the other suspension components were done in the last 2 years. The car drives great. the steering wheel is perfectly aligned. The car drives straight down the center of the road. I couldn't be happier. I'll keep a close eye to see how the tires wear over time.

i usually get coupons for alignments at my dealership

I've heard of this too.

Last time I had my signature car aligned at the MB dealer - they said they would check it, and if it did not need aligning, then there would be no reason to charge me for it. If they were honest, then this is the way to deal with customers.

Just yesterday, I went to Firestone for a lifetime warranty. $150 - 15% coupon online. Total with tax about $136.

Too bad I didn't get that 3 months ago. I replaced my struts, went to an alignment specialist for $55, then last week, the tie rod went. Had to get another alignment. Aaauuggh. $55 down the tubes. Should have gotten the lifetime one back then.

Firestone did a great job. Many places can do Mercedes now.

jeff 1991 300d

I called several places that were less expensive, however none knew aboutthe spreader bar, or the toe press while aligning. Are they really a requirement? I don't know, but I wanted the best shot at it being properly done. So far it feelsgreat. I love the Primacys and wanted them to last.

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85 300TD FED-Daily
84 300SD-Wife's
86 XJS-Sunday
66 GMC-Work- Given to my stepson
83 BMW Airhead- Given to my stepson

No. And the tighter your steering and suspension components are, the less it matters.

One of the single most informative post on tire problems I have read. The tire shops will always blame alignment...Robert

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership