tire rubs fender
 

86 560SEL

right front tire sounds like it rubs the fender or something when going through a dip.

i can't see anything amiss.

recently replaced upper control arms, all tie rod ends, brakes, bearings, track rod mounts, etc. followed by front end alignment

pics attached. sorry for the dirty wheels. been raining around here and i haven't washed it for awhile.

Tire rubbing sounds can also be created by

bad motor mounts
loose heater box.

but only happens when i go over a dip.. which causes the car's front end to dip down

could the track rod be set too far forward.. as i look closer and bounce the car up and down it looks like the tire could rub against the very front of the fender well where the rear of the bumper meets... i can see some slight evidence of rubbing there.

If a tire is rubbing there should be no doubt - just look in the wheel well and look for rub marks. You may have to pull the wheel to see everywhere. A rub can also be caused by a broken spring. Had this on the right front of a 124.

Rgds,
Chris W.

that's why i wondered if the track rod could be set too far forward because it looks like the rubbing is at the front of the fender, like the wheel is too far forward.

i'm pretty sure the spring isn't broken.. you'd be able to see that pretty easily.. right?

Question
 

Who did the alignment?

A special MB tool is required for correct alignment = dealers and a few MB specialty shops have it and know how to use it.

Spreader Bar
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=226067






.

my indy sent it out . think it was local tire shop he uses,

sounds like trip to dealer is in order

"i'm pretty sure the spring isn't broken.. you'd be able to see that pretty easily.. right?"

Not necessarily with a casual look. Could not easily see it on my car. If you took the wheel off and really examined the spring carefully, then you could see the break.

Rgds,
Chris W.

went to dealer today... shop foreman looked at wheel and said "definitely looks too close to the fender.

so i guess i'll be scheduling an appointment at the dealer

just measured distance between front and rear wheels... the right side is about 1/2 " longer than the right... so i'm really thinking the right front wheel is set too far forward... looks that way to me.

front end alignment done at dealer this morning. $150 with tax

feels really good. something about the way it steers and handles tells me they did something right.

BUT they told me my lower ball joints need replaced. said they were busted. i think they mean the boots are torn as i have no movement in the tires when i have them jacked up. i checked.

they want $949 for parts and labor to replace the lower ball joints!!

actually i have new ones but i never got around to putting them in because i lost heart after hearing what a pain it is to get them pressed in the knuckles.

but i guess i'll give it a go instead of shelling out $949. of course i guess it will cost me another front end alignment.

Answer
 

You can replace the rubber boot...

Just swap them from your new joints = less than 1/10 of the time and effort.

Remember to Clean and lube the old joint.

It does look like the wheel is too far forward in the wheel well. This is what it should look like:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1310233321