PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Buick Lucerne steering problem

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry (Post 3515858)

Back at the car again. My BIL had taken it in for another alignment. Still pulls right. We went back to the alignment shop today, he put it on the machine and said it was in spec but did some other measuring. He asked if the car had ever been in an accident since the right front wheel is almost one inch closer to the back of the fender than the left front wheel and claimed this is causing the pulling. I checked the measurements and he's right. Right front wheel sits much further back in the wheel well. No obvious damage that I could see. My father has had no known accidents. He bought the car used from a Buick dealer and carfax showed no accidents. HOWEVER, in looking thru the glove compartment and handbook I ran across a 'self-insurance card' in the name of Enterprise Car Rental. Their ownership did not show up in the Carfax or ownership history. If it was an Enterprise rental car, in an accident which they repaired themselves without using insurance, would it show up on Carfax?
Do people think the fact that the two front wheels are not in the exact same position in reference to the fenders cause a pulling problem and be indicative of an accident. I've never actually measured the position of the wheels relative to the fender on a car before and I'm wondering if some asymmetry is normal.

The only car that I've ever heard of that had a different wheelbase measurement on the right side vs. the left side was the much-revered Renault 5 ("Le Car") due to an unusual rear suspension design.

I would be very curious about the condition of both lower control arms (is one bent?), their bushings, and their mounting points on the frame.

I measured from wheel center to wheel center. Right side is 1 5/8 shorter than the left side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry (Post 3515873)

I measured from wheel center to wheel center. Right side is 1 5/8 shorter than the left side.

Yet toe was as per factory spec? Interesting.

This car has four wheel independent suspension, right? Was the toe for the rear wheels checked at the same time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry (Post 3515873)

I measured from wheel center to wheel center. Right side is 1 5/8 shorter than the left side.

I think you've solved the 'pulling' mystery.
I bought a '72 Audi wagon many years ago that had gone off-road and hit a culvert. The body looked fine but the right-front suspension was pushed back over 2". I was able to partly straighten the bent under-body and get undamaged salvage-yard parts to bolt up. But the right front wheel remained about 1" behind the left. Curiously, after all that, the only noticeable pulling was when backing-up!

Happy Motoring, Mark

I believe the lucerne is a chevy impala in a pretty dress. The impala had some odd issues with the whole front subframe shifted. The usual issues being subframe mounts.

I think that it is a closer relative to the old Olds Aurora than the Impala, but your idea is a good one.

No way is that normal. A NASCAR chassis that is designed to turn only one direction maybe, but no GM car ever left the factory like that. I'm not saying that that condition is causing the pull, but it surely isn't helping the situation and is indicative of a serious problem.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 448K

Ive remeasured and I must have made a mistake even though I measured twice. I cant detect a difference between the sides now. I did find a technical service bulletin describing the problem and solving it my modifying the transmission and engine mounts. Im going to call a buick dealer and inquire about it.