Rudeney

We have a chain in the south called Big 10 Tires. They offer a lifetime alignment for about $250. I think it's a bargain.

siyan

I'd do that in a second.

And then I'd be back every time I changed summer tires to winter and vice versa.

Its like an all you can eat buffet but for multiple sittings.

a_hani45

My w209 used to pull to the left. After I changed the 4 tires (which were in a bad shape), the car is pulling to the right now.
I went back to the tire shop and they swaped the fronts, it still pulls to the right.

Any idea if I should have the car aligned after a tire change?

Glyn M Ruck

You should always have alignment done at a tyre change. Make sure to use an alignment shop that understands how to set the castor properly to prevent pull as per my earlier posts in this thread.

mis3

Here in Toronto, the dealership charges $200 (then add tax) for an alignment.

I found a place and he charges $60 for basic alignment and $20 more for camber adjusdment. I went last time and he said I did not need camber adjustment so I paid $60. I will definitely go back if I need an alignemnt again.

There was no fancy reception or waiting area but the work was done correctly. I was standing besides my car when he did the alignment. It looked quite easy, the alignment machine was doing all the work!

a_hani45

Thanks Glyn, I hope I can do it for free as my mechanic has replaced some arm bushings and stabilizers 2 years ago and he promised to do free alignment for me when I change the tire. I just hope he honors his word since it has been ages

Glyn M Ruck

Remember you need the fluted bolt kit to set castor & camber!

siyan

Just circling back on this, given that the problem remains on both summer and winter tires,

Is this the part I need so that I can adjust both Castor + Camber?
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._5C1313F8.aspx

jimlombard41

I have a 2009 cls 550 that pulls right. The dealer told me today to switch front tires and if it still pulls right then do an alignment and install a camber kit. He explained that the right camber comes at 10 % and the normal car is 4%. Will post how it worked after I get it done. Camber kits were explained as bolts they install.

Any have suggestions on a good tire to switch to?

Glyn M Ruck

Yes ~ that is the correct part & number.

Glyn M Ruck

The pull is corrected by a caster change as explained above.

Michelin PS2.

MikeLiristis

I have the same problem w/ my 03 clk500. I had the car serviced by the stealership and the idiot there told me it was a safety feature...lol !!! four days ago I tried something out of curiosity...I tried a set of used tires in the front 235/45/17 and the car is driving a lot better, nearly perfect. For a total investment of $60 I think it was well worht it !

Glyn M Ruck

If you don't make the castor adjustment the new (used) tyres will wear to the camber of the road & start pulling again.

K-Mac

Seeing virtually all Mercedes Models OEM only have front and rear Toe adjustment, at K-MAC therefore we manufacture front and rear adjuster kits to resolve uneven tire wear, steering pull and allow owners the capacity to return vehicle to factory specs after altering height, fitting wide profile tires, curb knock damage or simply wanting to have front and rear ongoing adjustable facility's.


Instead of one position offset bolts for the front we offer precisely adjustable (with twice the adjustment range) replacement bushes - both Camber and Caster.


For the rear, unique patented adjustable Camber kits which have the distinct advantage (unlike adjustable upper camber arms) of not moving out the top of tire thereby reducing tire to outer fender clearance when wanting to reduce inner edge wear.


Also all the K-MAC rear kits importantly include additional Toe adjustment to compensate for the newly installed Camber facility.

Glyn M Ruck

Your products are good & the Benz system also works just fine in most circumstances.

I don't care what people use but you need to dial in 1 degree (Max 2) more castor on the passenger side of the car to prevent pull & tyre wear with the camber of the road. Typical castor settings should be 9.6 deg & 10.6 deg.

NewShockerGuy

Just started seeing this problem last week or perhaps I was compensating since I never drive the CLK... The car pulls slightly to the right. Most pronounced when we are on the highway and I let go of the steering wheel.


Took it to the alignment shop since it was still under their warranty for 6 months and they checked and the caster is slightly off. Said it couldn't be adjusted without the bolts which would be $120 plus whatever they would charge to install them (I'd install them), but I'd have to pay to get the alignment done again which would blow. So we are talking almost $300 when it's all said and done. There is no uneven tire wear and it's just annoying to me because I have to slightly hold the steering wheel to the left when driving.


The car doesn't get driven much and is mostly in the garage.. used as a spare car.. So I guess I will just live with it. Could have very well been like that after I replaced some ball joints which would have changed the suspension slightly from the failed ones prior.


-Nigel


-Nigel

DRACO

Not for nuttin but I installed the MBZ Caster bolts and I was referred to a local MBZ Specialty Alignment Shop. They knew exactly what the issue was and aligned her right up. Basically they put more caster on one side to compensate for MBZ built in off caster. Yes, I did not believe it either, but they showed me the readings, before and after. Whiskey Foxtrot Tango?

Prior to the shop above, I tried Just Tires 4 times with their new fancy machine, perfect readings, I sat with them and made them adjust it to spec. FAIL. Tried another old school shop that services my Porsche, using chalk, FAIL.

We use to have a horrible outer edge tire wear and pull to the right. We NO longer have that issue and she tracks straight on the Freeway. :-D

Reanimation

My 209 pulls right(not the ladies) and just had new rear tyres fitted, I asked them to align the car because its was pulling right and after most of the day trying to correct it they couldn't get it right and blamed the front tyres its one of the most annoying things on a used car.

DRACO

Reanimation.

Try the caster bolts, they are the same as the camber bolts with four grooves. You could even DIY.

Tell the shop to ignore the readings and dial in the caster on one side.

Reanimation

will definitly do this when I replace the front tyres soon.

Reanimation

Where do I get the camber/caster bolts from in the UK? seen some on ebay but not totally sure.

DRACO

MBZ Dealer should have them, in fact you guys have items we can't get here in the states.

Reanimation

Ok thanks will check with MB tomorrow. Meanwhile I did see these,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-C...sAAOSw9N1VmnHJ

DRACO

Wait, what year is your chassis?

Reanimation

I have a 2004 clk 209.