W124 Suspension Mystery - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ryno365 · #1 03-08-2012, 08:31 AM

Hello All,
I have a '94 E320 with 250k miles and have been plagued by a constant "pull" to the right. Enough that I have to steer against it with a 1/16th of a steering wheel turn to the left.

I have noticed that the car doesn't sit level in the front (difference of about 1/2 inch). It also appears to push the camber positive on front right wheel (may explain pull?). What could be causing this? My inclination was a worn coil spring pads/insulators. Are there other parts I should be concerned with replacing? I live in Arkansas so there is essentially 0 rust.

Background: I lowered my beloved machine about 1.25" with an H&R spring kit. I did compensate for the negative rear camber with adjustable camber arms. I have had it aligned probably three times in the last 2 years, still pulls after each one. Has year old shocks and Bilstein Sport shocks/struts, all other parts are original to the vehicle to my knowledge.

ps2cho · #2 03-08-2012, 10:33 AM

Switch tires around left to right and see what happens?

Also possible caliper drag...measure wheel temperature after driving with IR gun.

ryno365 · #3 03-08-2012, 11:18 AM

I inadvertently left out one factoid: the problem appeared after I had it aligned at the MB dealer.

However: This problem has been around a while, by that I mean 50k miles probably.

I just replaced the brake pads and they didn't appear to have abnormal wear left or right. Though I will take the IR gun to them.

Tire wise all four have been replaced since the problem appeared, I suspected a bad tire when one went bald at 10k miles, alas the culprit remains. The front tires show some wear patters that remind me of having to keep the steering wheel canted to go straight.

ps2cho · #4 03-08-2012, 06:31 PM

I'd check all steering components first including idler arm bushing and get it realigned.

Ferdman · #5 03-10-2012, 08:02 AM

ryno365, as soon as you noticed the car pulling why didn't you take it back to the MB dealer that performed the alignment and have them remedy the problem? Hard to believe you lived with that condition for 50,000 miles.

ryno365 · #6 03-12-2012, 10:41 AM

You raise a valid point, and I have asked myself the same thing. Perhaps it was partially due to the fact the tech seemed to be lacking in skills or equipment to deal with a lowered car. In hindsight yes, I agree, I screwed myself over in this case.

Anyway, the tires appear to be wearing uniformly. It was previously chewing through the rears in 15000 miles on 40000 mile rated tires.

I'm curious whats causing the pull of the right though. What could cause this? What parts should I really investigate? Perhaps spring pads or control arms?
It appears to have an uneven stance in the front (FR is lower that FL by half an inch). This appears to throw off the camber, so that it is positive on that wheel.

Ferdman · #7 03-12-2012, 11:22 AM

ryno365, go to your local MB dealer and have them diagnose the pulling condition. Certainly a poor alignment can produce the pulling you describe. Not all MB techs are created equal. Maybe the first tech screwed up the alignment for whatever reason.

ryno365 · #8 03-22-2012, 08:49 PM

I hope to at some point.
I have gotten most of the abnormal tire wear to go away, though there is an odd pattern on the outside shoulder of the front right tire. The tread blocks are sloped, rear is lower than the leading edge as it strikes the ground.
Is that an indicator of anything particular? (caster, camber, etc?)

Like I said, I hope to get it back to the land of its brethren (local MB dealer), but being a cadet off in New York when my car is in AR makes it harder. Plus, visiting the dealer on a college student's $$$ its a scary proposition.

Thanks for the replies all, please keep them coming.

ryno365 · #9 03-23-2012, 05:01 PM

I agree, it does seem peculiar, but I think I made the mechanic kind of unhappy for the fact that he spent an hour and a half or two hours on the job (standard charge was one hours labor I believe). Anyway, he test drove it after the first set of adjustments and said he almost sent it off the road into a ditch... so I'm feeling he was ready to be done with me. I should have been more of a stickler though.

Anyway, I will look into some of the indy places, though I don't know of many reputable places near me. There is a place not far from me that works on everything for tires, rims, brakes, etc, but does decent alignment work. Though the drive didn't change.

I am stocking up for a front end overhauling one of these days, I plan to put all new rubber in everything, from tie-rods, to the center link, steering damper, bushings, spring pads, control arms ($$$$$ ouch), and new strut mounts.

Anyone have suggestions for which brand of control arms to go with (other than OE)?
I was curious about the Febi ones after seeing a couple of reviews that weren't fond of them.