before/after alignment specs

akbro93704 · 09-03-2010, 07:47 PM

I had both of my front struts replaced because of a clunking noise from the front end (sorry, I have two other threads going about that issue

), these are the specs after the strut replacement (before) and then what the dealer set my alignment to (after).

Now, my car seems to pull to the right pretty bad (when I let go of the wheel when driving, the steering seems to just turn to the right), and the steering wheel seems off center to the right also. Don't the specs seem to read okay though? And what is "steer ahead"? I'm guessing this is why my steering is cocked to the right a bit.
Thanks for any info. I'm heading back to the dealer next week.

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Stone2486 · 09-04-2010, 12:01 AM

Have you checked you tire pressures? If the front right tire pressure is low it can cause a pull. Also what are the tire conditions?

encoder · 09-04-2010, 06:18 AM

I may be taking a risk with my first post here not knowing what I'm talking about

But...

I remember being told once that there should be a slight pull to the right. The idea being.. you fall asleep, you won't end up left-of-center.

Full disclosure tho that this could be complete BS!!

huir · 09-04-2010, 06:33 AM

How did this happen to you car? I mean the original front clunking noise issue.

JimPap · 09-04-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akbro93704

I had both of my front struts replaced because of a clunking noise from the front end (sorry, I have two other threads going about that issue

), these are the specs after the strut replacement (before) and then what the dealer set my alignment to (after).

Now, my car seems to pull to the right pretty bad (when I let go of the wheel when driving, the steering seems to just turn to the right), and the steering wheel seems off center to the right also. Don't the specs seem to read okay though? And what is "steer ahead"? I'm guessing this is why my steering is cocked to the right a bit.
Thanks for any info. I'm heading back to the dealer next week.

Did your front tires show any unusual signs of wear????

amdeutsch · 09-04-2010, 08:20 AM

Lets also not forget the road crown.

Sportstick · 09-04-2010, 09:52 AM

Yes, but they warn about that!

Samieee · 09-04-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Yes, but they warn about that!

What's the road crown? Never heard of this

Stone2486 · 09-04-2010, 10:49 AM

The road crown is to allow for proper draining so water doesnt puddle up on the road

Sportstick · 09-04-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samieee

What's the road crown? Never heard of this

That real sign was a low quality visual pun on my part, but it doesn't work at all if you're unfamiliar. I took driver's ed in NYC, just where you are...and they taught about the crown in the road back then regarding water draining, drifting, etc....not anymore

???

akbro93704 · 09-04-2010, 12:15 PM

Tire pressures are even, thats the first thing I always check. Front right outer edge of tire is wearing quicker. I've had alignment issues from day one with this car. And it's definitely a harder pull than a normal road-crown pull.

JimPap · 09-04-2010, 01:01 PM

Did it have the same pull before they swapped parts and realigned?

If it did, I think I'd be looking at a broken belt on one of the tires.

If the pull is more severe than before, then I'd be looking at the wrong parts being put on or the alignment being off. I see that you have a E350 and a C300. Wonder if they somehow mucked that up and either put the wrong parts on or used the wrong alignment specs.

....or more simply, did the alignment wrong.

RLE · 09-04-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by encoder

I may be taking a risk with my first post here not knowing what I'm talking about

But...

I remember being told once that there should be a slight pull to the right. The idea being.. you fall asleep, you won't end up left-of-center.

Full disclosure tho that this could be complete BS!!

It is, in fact. This is just another one of those excuses for a bad alignment job. Drive an MB long enough and you will hear them all.

09-04-2010, 12:01 AM	#2
Stone2486 Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 79 Drives: 2008 C300 4matic Sport	Have you checked you tire pressures? If the front right tire pressure is low it can cause a pull. Also what are the tire conditions? __________________ 08 C300 4Matic Sport - C63 Rims w/ Michelin Pilot Sport 2's Front 245/40 ZR18, Rear 265/35 ZR 18 - 20% Tint All Around - Xenon Fog Retrofit - Magniflow True X-Pipe

09-04-2010, 06:33 AM	#4
huir Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Posts: 200 Drives: 2010 W204	How did this happen to you car? I mean the original front clunking noise issue. __________________ The next, R8.

09-04-2010, 08:20 AM	#6
amdeutsch Super Moderator Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: www.Traben-Trarbach.de Posts: 14,510 Drives: MPG+ ROLFCOPTER	Lets also not forget the road crown. __________________

09-04-2010, 09:52 AM	#7
Sportstick MBWorld Fanatic! 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class My Garage Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 4,011 Drives: 2009 C300 Sport 6 speed; 2008 E350 Sport 4MATIC: 2009 Jeep Liberty Sport (boat/deep snow/dogs!)	Yes, but they warn about that! __________________ 08 E350 Sport 4MATIC - Indium 09 C300 Sport 6 Speed - Palladium Eibach Anti-Sway Bars Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus & Blizzak WS60 Akebono EUR 1340/1341 Brake Pads AMG Style: > Euroteck Diffuser > JBSpeed Trunk Spoiler > BMWChop Roof Spoiler > Bodycolor Grille > Performance Products Steering Wheel > 17" PowerWheels Pro #810 AZN LEDs/Bodycolor Tail Lamp Trim Philips X-treme H7 White Star Badge HiTech Wheel Flaps

09-04-2010, 10:49 AM	#9
Stone2486 Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 79 Drives: 2008 C300 4matic Sport	The road crown is to allow for proper draining so water doesnt puddle up on the road __________________ 08 C300 4Matic Sport - C63 Rims w/ Michelin Pilot Sport 2's Front 245/40 ZR18, Rear 265/35 ZR 18 - 20% Tint All Around - Xenon Fog Retrofit - Magniflow True X-Pipe

09-04-2010, 06:18 AM	#3
encoder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 171 Drives: 2008 C350	I may be taking a risk with my first post here not knowing what I'm talking about But... I remember being told once that there should be a slight pull to the right. The idea being.. you fall asleep, you won't end up left-of-center. Full disclosure tho that this could be complete BS!!

09-04-2010, 12:15 PM	#11
akbro93704 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,086 Drives: '08 C300 Sport, '07 ML350, '06 E350, '08 VW Jetta 2.0t Wolfsburg Edition	Tire pressures are even, thats the first thing I always check. Front right outer edge of tire is wearing quicker. I've had alignment issues from day one with this car. And it's definitely a harder pull than a normal road-crown pull. __________________ 08 C300 Sport-Palladium Silver/Gray MB tex iPod integration 7Gtronic -35% 3M Color Stable tint -AMG trunklid lip spoiler -OEM LED taillights 10 ML350-Steel Gray/Black Premium IIHeated SeatsExterior AppearanceTrailer Hitch 11 E350-Palladium Silver/AshPremium IWheel PackageRoof & Trunk SpoilerBlack Birdseye Maple

09-04-2010, 01:01 PM	#12
JimPap MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,453 Drives: 2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US	Did it have the same pull before they swapped parts and realigned? If it did, I think I'd be looking at a broken belt on one of the tires. If the pull is more severe than before, then I'd be looking at the wrong parts being put on or the alignment being off. I see that you have a E350 and a C300. Wonder if they somehow mucked that up and either put the wrong parts on or used the wrong alignment specs. ....or more simply, did the alignment wrong.

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09-04-2010, 07:35 PM