steering wheel turns into a corner when parking and going forwards - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hk20000 · #1 03-09-2007, 03:10 AM

it's a minor problem but I never felt anything like this in other cars before I should ask:

when driving at very low speeds, say in the parking lot, I can steer the wheel one round to the left/right and let go, then as the car moves forward the steering wheel will automatically rotate until it hits the lock....I have to "steer towards center" to keep the car from "oversteering" into the car in the next spot.

My guess it's just the almost extreme caster angle that came factory from Mercedes but could it be some odd parts broken? What does the steering shock do and will a dead steering shock do that to my car???

It's a 1995 W202 C220 btw.

wbrian63 · #2 03-09-2007, 08:15 AM

I would think that at least the car should hold the steering angle set. My '92 300SE doesn't return to center like other cars I've driven in manuvers like you describe, but it certainly doesn't continue increasing the steering angle towards lock.

I'd have the alignment checked. It is possible to have things out of whack with the alignment that don't cause abnormal tire wear.

Of course, the defensive driving contingent will also argue that you should never, ever let go of the steering wheel.

t walgamuth · #3 03-09-2007, 08:59 AM

i wouldnt get too excited about any unusual behavior at extreme locks if the dynamic driving is good. performance at slow speeds at full lock is a compromise at best. thinks can get a little wacky and still be normal.

tom w

G-Benz · #4 03-09-2007, 11:25 AM

If you are getting this behavior at low (to no) speeds, I would test on the highway and briefly let go of the wheel to see if the car wants to "pull" heavily to one side.

I say "heavily, because a typical highway cross section is ramped from the centerline for water dispersion, so gravity has some effect...i.e., car will pull gently to the left on the passing lane and vice versa on the right lane.

Otherwise, you might need to have the alignment corrected.

david s poole · #5 03-09-2007, 11:33 AM

when you let go of the wheel from a turned position it SHOULD self centre or try to.an over tightened preload on steering gear box can cause what you are describing.castor should be set at about 12deg on your car.anything less than 7deg will cause the car to be pulled in the direction of a pothole when cornering.

hk20000 · #6 03-09-2007, 01:15 PM

I only did an alignment recently and the car is all straight and true at usual operating speeds.... like 30mph and beyond it certainly steers back into center upon going forwards letting the wheel go.

it's only when I initiated the turn well over 1 round then it starts to steer into the corner - even then it's only when I'm driving very very slowly.

You are a maniac to be driving at road speeds steering well over one round to make any turns anyway hahahaha.

even at right turns I only at most crank it 3/4 rounds for the tightest street intersection so it's perfectly normal when driven around......It only appears when parking when I crank the wheel a lot. Or when I'm doing a U-turn.

david s poole · #7 03-09-2007, 02:13 PM

the wheel should still attempt to self centre.i have adjusted the preload on some older cars[15yrs]to try and eliminate free play on centre of the power steering gearbox and if i go too far i wind up with what you have described.

G-Benz · #8 03-09-2007, 03:22 PM

Curious...factory wheel/tire setup?

Wider-than-spec tires tend to "track", and could cause the situation you describe...

hk20000 · #9 03-11-2007, 11:23 AM

^ ahh no it's a C220 with Brabus Monoblock V 18x9.5 wheels and 215 width front tires.