Alignment problem?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rwthomas1 · #1 12-27-2002, 08:57 PM

Question about 123 alignments.... I had a local shop that I usually trust do an alignment on my MB. The car pulled slightly to the right when it went in. Now it still pulls but not as bad-very slightly. Looking at the alignment printout they didn't touch the caster or camber just "set the toe and let it go" The caster and camber are slightly out of spec on both sides according to the specs I have but are very close. I just drove the car over 700miles and no uneven tire wear. I have an appointment with them again on 12/31 so they can hopefully correct the issue. Do these cars tend to follow the crown of the road? It pulls more at low speeds, at 70-80mph it seems just fine. I am wondering if I am being too picky about this. Are Benzs finicky about perfect alignments? Maybe the tech didn't know how to adjust the MB frontend? I think that if I pay for something I should get it. Thanks, RT

Ridge · #2 12-27-2002, 10:23 PM

I've six 123s and the alignment problem is almost always the technician. If you've the printout from the first time, I'll bet it won't agree with the prealignment printout when you take it back the second time. If I'm correct, it's the tehc. I went through this same thing three times with Wheel Works before taking it to another of their branches where the tech knew about MBs. He got it right. Now I always take it to that shop but only when he's on duty. Hope this helps.

Ben
www.reproduce100s.com

Lycoming-8 · #3 12-27-2002, 11:12 PM

Years ago I took my 220D/8 to a well respected alignment shop here in town. The owner did all of the work and was duly impressed with the engineering he found in the 115 chassis. However when I got the car back it was still not right, although he had gone by the book. He asked how the car was driven, both style and loading. Once single occupant was denoted as primary use mode, he re-adjusted things and it was perfect. By the way, it would stay on alignment for years. Found that Michelins could be felt to markedly improve handling and driving feel.

#4 12-28-2002, 02:14 AM

The problem could be tires. Possibly a tire with excessive conicity.

Rotate them front to back and see if it changes.

Good luck,

leathermang · #5 12-28-2002, 12:15 PM

Unless you pretty much have all new parts on your suspension " setting the toe in and letting it go " are about all you can do... if the parts are not tight they will not hold the setting you dial in...
If the car is set up for level road then you are almost always going to be in a " slight pull to the right" since 99 percent of the roads are built with a crown....
I worked at an alignment shop 30 years ago.. and we would tell the people , if the suspension was worn, that all we could do was set the toe in... the problem comes when shops don't say that up front and you think they are setting everything... as if you can align wet noodles...
Now, if you do a complete suspension job that is very different and you should expect them to be able to set it up correctly ....

rwthomas1 · #6 12-28-2002, 04:27 PM

I see your point however.... If the car the car pulls to the right when in the right lane due to road crown then it should pull to the left when driven on the other side of the road, or the left lane of a divided highway, should it not, because the crown is now in the opposite direction? Well, that ain't the case. It goes nice and straight under those conditions. If they can't get it right or something is too worn why did I have to PAY them? There is 1degree more caster on the right which I believe to be my problem. RT

ps: LB-already rotated the tires....

Mercedes Man · #7 12-28-2002, 04:48 PM

My 84 300SD goes straight down the road. This car is easy to align. I do not see why someone with a $20,000 alignment machine cannot properly align a Mercedes. My car was pulling to the right. One alignment shop said they could not adjust a Mercedes--they told me to take it to the dealer. I adjusted the steering gear, camber, caster, and toe myself with simple tools. I did the alignment using used tires. I was not going to risk new tires until I was sure I got the alignment right.

I put on a pair of tires almost worn to the fabic on the edges, and that caused the car to pull to right. With my new Yokohomas, the car goes straight as ever.

As Larry suggests, you should try to rotate the tires.

Also, check the right front brake to see if it is dragging.

leathermang · #8 12-28-2002, 05:32 PM

RW, it is not that they should not set the toe in if they can not set everything to specs... you still get the advantage of tires lasting much longer... and the car going more where you point it... but the chances are that your springs have sagged enough that they can not put the car to the proper specs... not to mention any other worn stuff under there...
Mercedes Man, you must be very good to be able to do that all with simple tools ....

#9 12-29-2002, 10:35 AM

I have not had any luck with alignments anywhere but at the dealership. In order for a Mercedes to be aligned properly, all the suspension components have to be in decent shape to start with as others have mentioned. But one must also lock the steering box with a special tool(bolt) and insert a tensioner rod between the front tires to take up any bit of slack in the suspension. Ask the techs if they use those tools. If not, they aren't doing it right. When I ask those questions, I get one of two responses, either the "deer in the headlights" look of "oh, our machine takes that into consideration" which is pure BS.

Len

rwthomas1 · #10 12-31-2002, 05:39 PM

Well the problem was found today.... Passenger side front caliper was dragging intermittently. I had checked this before and the tech stated that he definitely would have noticed it before as he remembered the car from when it was in the first time. There it was on the alignment rack with one front wheel very difficult to turn. Off to the parts store for a rebuilt caliper and all is well now, no pulling, no issues, nada. Thanks for all the support. RT