Alignment Bemusement - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 11-04-2011, 05:27 PM

Very much want to get a lifetime alignment on my 91 300D....Firestone is the only place that does it. I have one on my 92 300D. So I take the 91 to the local Firestone (in MA) and they say they can't do it because my model isn't in the computer of the machine they use. So I call the Firestone in TX that did my 92 and they said I have to find a Firestone with a Hunter alignment machine. So I do that, but it's not in THEIR system either...though they said they could approximate the specs using another MB. Call ANOTHER one, and they don't a the tool that they need, though apparently the specs are in their system.

Sigh....I guess I'll go to the dealer.

pawoSD · #2 11-04-2011, 05:45 PM

My 420 I acquired recently had a "firestone" place do some steering and alignment work on it in the past and it was terrifying. Alignment was mega-wrong, steering wheel crooked when going straight (as in 1/3 of a full turn), and they stripped the nuts on the tie rods, so they stuck an extra nut over them to keep the stripped one from coming off, it was holding on by about 3 threads!

AVOID those places at all costs!!!!

I ended up replacing all steering parts and having a dealer alignment, drives amazing now compared to when I got it!

shertex · #3 11-04-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

My 420 I acquired recently had a "firestone" place do some steering and alignment work on it in the past and it was terrifying. Alignment was mega-wrong, steering wheel crooked when going straight (as in 1/3 of a full turn), and they stripped the nuts on the tie rods, so they stuck an extra nut over them to keep the stripped one from coming off, it was holding on by about 3 threads!

AVOID those places at all costs!!!!

I ended up replacing all steering parts and having a dealer alignment, drives amazing now compared to when I got it!

I've always had good experiences with Firestone....at least I'll give them credit for admitting they couldn't do something.

engatwork · #4 11-04-2011, 07:13 PM

You need to provide them with the 124.xxx numbers off the chassis. If their machine is newer than 15 years old then it should have the correct chassis in there.

shertex · #5 11-04-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

You need to provide them with the 124.xxx numbers off the chassis. If their machine is newer than 15 years old then it should have the correct chassis in there.

That's interesting....so if they just punch in 124.128 it will come up? Funny they wouldn't know that. But I'll ask tomorrow.

pawoSD · #6 11-04-2011, 08:45 PM

Just like "lifetime" parts from autozone, with "lifetime" services you generally get what you pay for.....

engatwork · #7 11-04-2011, 09:02 PM

I've got a story for ya'll. On one of the '95 E300's I had replaced some front suspension parts and asked the wife to take it to a shop in Savannah (mistake #1) that advertised as doing import alignment. She took it to them and the job they did was TERRIBLE. I had to drive the car to Savannah and it started to rain. I could barely keep the car in the lane in the rain. I drove it to my friends shop in Savannah - Dorsey Tire. It is a new shop with equipment less than 5 years old where I can walk back there where they are doing the job and talk to the guy doing it. They did not have a clue which chassis number to punch into the computer. Gave them the correct 124.xxx number and it was right there for selection on the screen and they nailed the alignment. Obviously the first alignment shop had selected the wrong chassis number. Unfortunately, I had to replace two front tires that were not that old because of the screwed up alignment

.

retmil46 · #8 11-04-2011, 09:48 PM

I'm lucky - in my neck of the woods, Tiremasters in Mooresville has done a great job on both 87's when I've went to them. Just had the blue one in the last two days, to get the coil springs replaced, then alignment checked and headlights aimed. They have one of the computerized setups that even reads and adjusts the tire pressures before and after.

On the results sheet, they'd typed in the VIN, which generated the spec "Mercedes Benz 1986-1989 124.026/03/05/128/13 - 10/88 (Modified Specification)".

Front end was way off on the "before" - could have been due to replacing the springs, but given what else I've found of the PO's efforts...

Good news was they didn't see anything fubar with the rest of the suspension that would require attention.

sokoloff · #9 11-05-2011, 10:23 AM

I have not had good luck with alignments anywhere but at the dealership. Procedure calls for the spreader bar and "tool" to lock the steering box. Most places get the deer in the headlights look when you ask about those. A lifetime alignment to me isn't worth it if I have to go back evey couple of months and go through several sets of tires at a rapid rate before they get it close to what it should be.

shertex · #10 11-05-2011, 10:25 AM

I gave Firestone the VIN and they were able to find the specs for my car.

But, I am beginning to wonder if I'm better getting it done at the dealer.