Pull the wheels and look at the back of the wheels.

If somehow the car was run with loose bolts, or otherwise poorly mounted studs, it is somewhat possible that the back of the wheel is damaged and no longer able to fit properly.

Also, are they original wheels? If not, they might not be the right center-bore size, or mght be "uni-lug" type where the lug bolt doesn't fit as Mercedes intended.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Loosen all wheel bolts is a bit unusual, but if he re-torqued without moving the car it should be OK.

I strongly suggest to have you suspension checked by someone who knows what he is doing. All linkages have to be checked with a pry bar. The forces on the suspension are great, the only way to find loose joints is brute force.

Why have yo replaced you steering rack?

Rob

Rob, I'm no mastertech, but I'm no amateur. I'm an exVW tech. All the rear end linkages were fine until THAT happened. Could the improperly mounted wheels have caused a rear linkage failure? I'm really not trying to spend the $120 on an alignment when I know one front perch is failing and the alignment will be moot in a few weeks. I will throw it in the air and pry on all the mounting points though. I'll have an update by tomorrow. Thanks guys!

Started losing power steering fluid, after diag, rack was leaking like a siv at the "damper". Ordered a new one from some ZF knock-off company for $300, had it installed at an indie here in VA. He does reputable work, but keeps prices down by using the cheapest parts suppliers. I always bring my own...

I would think that if you have no noticeable wheel imbalance or wobble, then the loosening/tightening of the lugs was not the problem. Any damage to the wheel surface, the lug bolts, or the hub surface would manifest itself in a wheel wobble/imbalance. Have you spun the wheels to check runout? Do the hub bearings feel snug and turn freely? If those are good, then those elements could not be affecting the suspension performance as described.

DG

To all interested... It was the lug bolts. I lucked upon a free set off a 210 headed to the crusher...