I have replaced ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends, steering box. The toe-in was set at 1/32 (factory spec) and I am getting abnormal wear on the inside edge of the tires. Camber appears OK. We reset it at 1/16" now to see what happens. They are trying to shift the wear from inside edge to outside, hopefully evenly. No indication of problems with springs or shocks.

Any ideas why it would be wearing abnormally (6 months on new tires) with everything apparently new/correct?

Did the shop use the spreader bar (per the FSM) to pre-load the front tires while making the adjustments?

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

None of the common shops I've seen have even known about the spreader bar. I did see instructions for its use on the alignment machine.

I saw a vid of an MBZ indy saying that he just pushes out on the tires by hand to check the final settings.

I haven't found the bar necessary to get an alignment that doesn't wear tires. None of the techs around here are competent to make adjustments to obtain or correct a handling issue.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

???

You mentioned ball joints- you did mean upper and lower?
You replaced the lower control arm bushings?
Renewed the brake rod bushings, on the control arm and at the firewall?

If indeed all parts were renewed with quality replacements, and the alignment person is worth his salt, it should be aligned.

Unless it took a hit at one time in it's past....


snapped_bolt

__________________
'81 240D For now, a good place to borrow new parts
'80 300TD Probably will be put back into service!
'79 240D BACK IN SERVICE SINCE 09/16; limited use, oil leak. Guide pin r/sealed/replaced. Still a leak. Front crank seal....

Do you have a sub frame bushes on the front ?

Seems like inside wear is indicative of too much negative camber or significant toe out. Did you give him the factory settings?

__________________
[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.

As mentioned, they said there is no camber problem and they said factory spec on toe is 1/32. They added more toe-in to 1/16.

When was the last time the machine was calibrated?

If you replaced UCA, LCA bushings and ball joint, that should take care of camber. If you did guide rod mount, there should be nothing else besides the incidentals like tie rods.

There should be no wear. Someone can chime in on whether anything in the rear can affect the front but not likely. There is the rubber on top of the spring but even worn, the front can be adjusted.

There are none on the front - only control arms and related bushings & ball joints.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

So everything is perfect then?

Not.

__________________
[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.