Alignment Problem: Pulling to the Right!
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From: Twin Cities
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Alignment Problem: Pulling to the Right!
I just bought a set of Avon MTech550 A/S from tirerack 3 months ago. Everything was true and straight after installation, but recently, it has been pulling to the right regardless if the road is flat, crown to the left or right. I had an alignment done by Tires Plus and everything was within spec; however, it still pulls to the right. I was told it might be a "radial pull". I can't swap the tires from left to right or back to front because they're directional and staggered tires. Anybody ever have this problem on their W203 or have any ideas on what I can do to resolve this? Thanks in advance.
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From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
Buy this and accurately check your tire pressure within +/-20psi...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94594
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94594
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 653
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From: Twin Cities
Too many to list
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 653
Likes: 46
From: Twin Cities
Too many to list
Buy this and accurately check your tire pressure within +/-20psi...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94594
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94594
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2002 C230 Coupe
When you had your alignment checked, did they tell you the exact numbers for your alignment? It might be that your right wheel is as negative as allowed in spec, and your left is as positive as allowed in spec. This would leave your alignment in spec, but different enough to result in some pull. If you have the numbers, you could ask then to adjust your alignment so the left side is more negative than the right if it isn't already.
(I am referring to positive and negative as relative numbers here. You probably shouldn't be greater than zero camber, but -0.1 degree is more positive than -0.9 degree, for example)
I have recently been dealing with a similar issue with my car, and have spent a good deal of time talking to my alignment guy. He recommends having the right wheel slightly more positive camber than the left (to deal with road crown mostly). But, he has been unable to align the right side how he needs, and we suspect the knuckle may be slightly deformed.
I wish you luck in solving your issue, I hope it's more straightforward than mine
(I am referring to positive and negative as relative numbers here. You probably shouldn't be greater than zero camber, but -0.1 degree is more positive than -0.9 degree, for example)
I have recently been dealing with a similar issue with my car, and have spent a good deal of time talking to my alignment guy. He recommends having the right wheel slightly more positive camber than the left (to deal with road crown mostly). But, he has been unable to align the right side how he needs, and we suspect the knuckle may be slightly deformed.
I wish you luck in solving your issue, I hope it's more straightforward than mine
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From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
I have similar problem after I had my PZero Nero M+S installed, never had this problem before when I had my Pilot Sports. I'm guessing it might be the tires, I've been checking for uneven wear on the tires to see if it's an alignment problem, but so far both front and back are worn pretty evenly. I'm gonna try another set of tires and see if that eliminates the pulling to the right problem.
Although it's "slightly" pulling to the right, but I don't feel like it's bothering me that much.
Although it's "slightly" pulling to the right, but I don't feel like it's bothering me that much.
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From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
I have similar problem after I had my PZero Nero M+S installed, never had this problem before when I had my Pilot Sports. I'm guessing it might be the tires, I've been checking for uneven wear on the tires to see if it's an alignment problem, but so far both front and back are worn pretty evenly. I'm gonna try another set of tires and see if that eliminates the pulling to the right problem.
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From: Twin Cities
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I called tirerack about the problem and since the tire is still under warranty, tirerack will send me one new tire to replace the right front tire. We don't really know which tire is bad (it might not even be a tire-related problem) so right now it's really a trial and error thing. Once I receive the new tire, I'll have Tires Plus replace the right front tire to see what happens. Hopefully, this solves the problem. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to the stealer. 
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From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
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Update
I received my new tire from tirerack and replaced it with the right front tire. While at it, I told them to balance the other 3 tires also. Took for a test drive, same thing. Car still pulls the right. So tech said to mount the right front tire that was dismounted and switch it with the left front tire to see if it'll fix the problem. Again, still pulls to the right. They then switch both front tires around (directional tires). Pull was much less pronounced but still present. All 3 master techs at Tires Plus looked puzzled. They did another alignment and everything was within specs....yet, still pulls to the right. Everything under the car checked out to be fine with no adnormal play or movements. So in the end, they're all lost and I was all MAD! I guess it's time to fork up $160 for the stealer.
Last edited by diamondblak05; Aug 16, 2007 at 01:50 PM.
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It's not a drastic pull, but a pull that once you let go of the steering wheel, the car will just drift slowly to the right regardless of the crown of the road. The SA took it for a test drive twice and he confirmed it did the same thing after the new tire was mounted and the fronts switched. He also mentioned it wasn't torque pull or something bidding. It is really annoying so I can't ignore it knowing it wasn't like this before.
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Get full alignment numbers from them and post them up here. Just because it is in spec, doesn't mean it's aligned right. Also, check your right front caliper for sticking or binding.
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From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
I did some more research and you are probably experiencing "Tramlining" as result of using your current tires.
Here's more on the topic
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
Here's more on the topic
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Ok, your cross caster is just barely within spec. Your right caster is .4° less positive than the left. This can cause a pull to the right, as the car will pull to the side with less positive caster. Caster unfortunately is not adjustable on our cars. You may have something bent or worn in the front suspension. Granted, .4° isn't a lot, but is just enough to possibly cause a pulling issue.
Babybenz has another good point, that in addition to your caster problem, the new tires may be more susceptible to tramlining.
Babybenz has another good point, that in addition to your caster problem, the new tires may be more susceptible to tramlining.
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
FWIW, my '03 pulls slightly to the right also. When I had the alignment checked, by a good firend that I trust no less, he told me the caster was slightly less positive on the right than the left, and this was the reason it pulls slightly to the right. He also said there was no way to adjust the caster on the vehicle. Eventually I guess I'd like to get some adjustment plates installed, but that seems pretty overkill ............
Oh, and it started pulling after the dealer replaced the ball joints. I don't recall ever noticing a pull before.
Oh, and it started pulling after the dealer replaced the ball joints. I don't recall ever noticing a pull before.
Last edited by mtnman82; Aug 19, 2007 at 08:17 PM.
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08 E350
my 08 e350 drifted to the right so i brought it to the dealer and the shop foreman said that it's normal for all MB even the 100k cars. they won't correct/fix the drifting because it's a MB 'safety feature' and that if i wanted it corrected i had to bring my car to an alignment shop .
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Update
Well, after 4 alignments (3 from Tires Plus and one from MB dealer) and lots of fustrations, I gave up on AVON tires. I called Tirerack to send me 4 brand new Pirelli Pzero Nero M+S to replace the Avon tires per warranty claim. I had to pay the difference in price since the Pirellis were much more expensive. I had the Pirellis mounted and balanced and so far, everything seems to be much better. It's not perfectly straight like before, but way way better...something I can live with. Avon had just left a bad taste in my mouth.
