94 e320 Wagon Alignment... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bob Weir · #1 02-19-2004, 01:55 AM

Stills pulls to the right...
They're missing something.

The body shop (prefered by inde MB shop) with Hunter alignment machine says the car has never been in an accident, three inde MD shops say the bushings etc are all ok and the garage with a skinney quiet guy who uses his 30+ years of experience and fingers can't figure out why it still pulls to the right.

The car's history...
I bought it after it withstood 99k in Phila metro area. It had a tough life and needed some TLC. I know, I should have bought a low miler that only went to the country club, but I fell in love with the ice metallic 2-tone paint and my daughters bring home stray cats. At 101k it needed a steering gear box. At 109 it needed a right lower control arm (junk yard item - I couldn't afford a new one), and soon after a steering damper (maybe that'll fix it). Later, another steering gearbox. Supposedly the previous gearbox was incorrectly installed. What do I know? I read almost all the posts regarding w124 alignment and can only pass on the info.

The obvious suspect is the used lower control arm. However, I told every subsequent shop about it and none of them think it's the problem.

Tires... I have eight. All Michelin MXV4 Plus. Four 205/15 and four 195/15. I think I've developed an intimate relationship with my 21/32" socket on a1/2" drive speeder wrench and flex T-handle.

Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. Especially an alignment shop that knows MBs.

Bob
Sorry about the long post, but it's decision time for me. After 17k of miserable handling it's fix or sell.

haasman · #2 02-19-2004, 02:18 AM

Bob

Describe the pulling .... with more detailed info

You might want to try a local dealer. I had our wagon to several "Pro" alignment shops ... but only the dealer aligned it properly.

Haasman

Bob Weir · #3 12-27-2004, 02:59 PM

Alignment: long time coming -> short answer.

After too many inde shops and too many failed attempts, I prepared my checkbook and made an appointment with the local MB dealer.

$75 and my e320 Wagon is driving true. Although it's at the edge of some specs, the cause was frozen ball joint and control arm bushing. Admittedly, the tech was initially inclined to replace the offenders, but maybe the surfer girl decals, the VietNam Veteran license plate or his desire, encouraged him work with the existing parts and bring my wagon into compliance.

Some of the credit goes to whoever suggested going to the man who has to align the 911 series Porsche. To paraphrase Mr. Midddlecamp of Knopf MB, Porsche, Audi - "once your get the front aligned, the rear end is where the action is."

Bob

dtf · #4 12-27-2004, 04:15 PM

You should know that on the '94 wagon, the ball joint and lower control arm are one piece and cost about $750 to replace. Been there.

Bob Weir · #5 09-09-2005, 12:47 AM

95 e320 Wagon Steering / tracking.

This past winter I thought the MB dealer cured the alignment problem because it didn't pull to one side, it ran straight [kindof]. I attributed the sllght wiggle to the new snow tires. You don't notice it cruizin city streets. But on the interstate when going straight, you feel a slight self-correcting wiggle that is about 1/4" steering wheel movement.

Winter's come and gone, the car was rarely used since the alignment, but now my job requires it to be interstate capable.

All the bushings appear to be ok, nothing's bent, good tires and wheels.

2 years ago when the original steering box began leaking, a new steering shock and reman gearbox were installed by an inde shop. Today I crawled under it and really looked at it. The gearbox has 4 mounting points, but only 3 are used.
There is about a 2mm distance between the car body and the unused [no bolt] mounting point [top front]. The 2mm distance is about the same thickness as the washer used on the other 3 mounting points. Is this correct? I would think all 4 points should be pressurized to absorb the amount of torque the system handles.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Bob

t walgamuth · #6 09-09-2005, 10:08 AM

all bolt holes should be filled with bolts and washers if that is what is normal. this could contribute to the problem or might not.

i would check the front of the right rear wheel for the link about 9" long with two rubber bushings. if they go bad and they always do your rear end will steer and the car will be all over the place especially if you go on and off the gas like on an entry ramp.

tom w