AlonzoMosely

My CPO 2010 4matic (purchased only 4 weeks ago) is pulling to the left on the highway. I'm thinking it may be the alignment - I did hit a pothole hard enough the other day that the yellow caution light on the dash flashed a few times. In the next week or so I'm taking the car into the dealer for new tires, but I've also got a coupon for a free alignment check at Firestone. Should I trust Firestone with this? Searching on this issue, I found a post that an alignment fix is $395 at the dealer if the camber needs to be adjusted.

Gashde

I'd say give Firestone a go since its free, doubt the dealership would do a better job on it since its all pretty much the same job right?

Carsy

Type in 'Camber Bolts' into the search section of this 204 forum.

Here is one thread.https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...igned-but.html

In my experience the independants would not do a camber alignment unless you supplied them the adjusting camber bolts from MB. That is why MB is dear ie charging you for the adjusting camber bolts & labour.

I would check what Firestone say , you may not require camber adjustment , just the toe- in adjustment.

RLE

I don't know why you would buy tires from a dealer but if you do you could ask them to verify that the alignment is correct without mentioning the chuckhole. Just say it's pulling a bit and you don't want your new tires to wear prematurely.

Give the Firestone coupon to somebody with an F-150.

MBnewby

I would not take a MB anywhere like that... Go to a great independent Euro shop that specializes in Mercedes if you want to save a few bucks.

AlonzoMosely

Thanks everyone. I did not buy the tires from the dealer, I bought them from TireRack and am paying the dealer to install them.

bringtherain

DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ALIGNMENT. I went to the dealer for the same thing. The service rep told me a very slight pull to the right is normal in the suspensions for C's,E's,CLS's etc. Only ones that don't have that pull is the GL and R (suv's and such). They held it over night to check for me anyways cus my car is brand new and under warranty. Unsurprisingly its "typical mercedes" crap.

AlonzoMosely

bringtherain, mine is pulling to the left, which my research suggests is definitely not normal (except perhaps in countries where you drive on the left...)

RLE

The story about pulling being normal is an old favorite of MB service writers everywhere. And it is in fact BS.
My almost 4 year old C300 goes straight down the road with out heading for either curb.

wireless200

Yeah rear-wheel drive with a normal pull to the right. Right. Gotta love the BS.

To the OP, I would not go to Firestone. That did a really bad job on some work I had done years ago. It's a crap shoot with them because they get some really inexperienced people working there. I don't go near them.

Carsy

Probably the best advice you will get.

VividRacing

Yeah, there's absolutely no mechanical reason ANY car should be pulling in either direction, unless your hooning about in a FWD car and experiencing torque steer.

OP: I've heard good and bad things about Firestone. See if any local people have had experiences with the local Firestone. It tends to vary by location, unfortunately.

Ben'sBenz

Hey, sleep easy and take it to the automotive masters at Wal-Mart....Just Kidding.

Acapulco Bill

Get a quote from a custom alignment shop that also does frame alignments to original factory specs and wheel alignment to within 0.1 degree. Make sure they are a shop that gives a printed report.

If you live in a rainy region and drive spiritedly, a proper alignment could save you an accident or more. Also tire wear is far less so if you have expensive tires like the Michelin Primacy HP, could pay for itself over the life of the tires.

Judge for yourself if it is worth it, and then stay away from potholes if you can.

jimmythegreek

most shops do not have the proper equipment to align these cars within specs, thats a fact. The one thing I would go to the dealer for is an alignment, with a printout and a road test before leaving. I will tell u my 2011 C350 pulled to the right slightly w 4 miles on it leaving the lot on delivery day, came from 5 states away. On the highway it tracks straight, but pulls in lower speed. I have dynamic handling package and when I engage the suspension it drives straight, both low and high speed. I have 5 sets of wheels including stocks and they all pull to the right slightly, my really wide setup is the worst of all, but straight on the highway too. go figure. Im gonna check it out soon at the stealership

99210

no way. would never take it there. my brother works there and is the oil changer and the let him do alignments. would not recommend it.