Glyn M Ruck

She'll be OK - I can see that this crowd are serious. Just make sure they rust protect everything properly - something the previous idiots did a half job of.

91RS

Yeah, the area that does have rust on he said they'd throw some spray paint on for me. I wish there was a way I could contact the previous owner.

Looks like the only strut tower brace I can find is the one from eBay?

LILBENZ230

I'm OCD about things, too.. so I know it would bother me. At least the replacement parts were OEM. It seems that it was a hard hit.. can they figure out if any airbags deployed? A half-job with the body work is one thing, but sometimes places really cut corners in airbag replacements. Wouldn't want you to be in any danger in the future.

91RS

Next time I take my car to the service department, I'm going to ask if they have a way to tell. I know a good bit of the interior has been taken apart, but I'm not sure for what reason (as in just to paint the car or for airbag replacement). The airbag light flashes like normal and then goes out so the car doesn't seem to be getting any errors from the airbags.

LILBENZ230

You mean it comes on when you turn the key and goes out when you start the car? It shouldn't "flash", at least it doesn't on my 2005. I've just seen reports of corrupt shops taking the money for airbag replacement from an insurance company and then not following through. I'm sure with enough technical know how you could circumvent that SRS light. I hope not, though. But yeah definitely see if they can check.

91RS

I may be confusing it with my Trailblazer, but usually the air bag light will flash two or three times and go out, that is normal operation. If it stays on, then you have a problem.

LILBENZ230

Yeah the flash sounds like a GM feature. In the Benz it should come on at Position 2 and go out after engine start. I'd be concerned if mine flashed, even if it went out after the flash. When are you supposed to get your car back from ATL classic?

91RS

Yeah, I think mine does do that. I just know it isn't on while I'm driving, so I assume everything is working like it should.

91RS

I got my car back today! It drives much better now, it goes straight down the road and the steering wheel is straight, too. I got a copy of the alignment specs and the camber kinda confuses me, the machine highlighted it green showing in spec but it doesn't appear to be going by what's listed under target data. Though, what our machine listed for specs, its right on the very edge.

dmatre

The camber actually is within spec. Spec is -0.60/-.57 +0.26 -0.46. This means that 'in spec' ranges from -0.34 to -1.06 (Left) and -.31 to -1.03 (Right). Your readings of -0.89 (Left) and -1.01 (Right) are within the allowable spec (although at the upper limit on the right side). If there's some adjustability left, then you could split hairs and try to adjust out that 4/10 degree, but why? MB spec'd a range, and you're within the range. To dial out 4/10 degree camber won't do much at all for tire life, driving feel etc.

Glad that you got it back in good condition! Now enjoy.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah - That's just fine - & if it's tracking straight at that castor spec that's good news. Let it settle over the next 5000 miles - watch your tyres. And then check it again. I think these guys have done a good job. Enjoy!

91RS

I think I had a brain fart or something last night, I guess it just didn't register with me the way the spec is written on the printout. Our machine just gives the range. It actually does drift to the right a bit if I'm not holding the steering wheel. Oh, my total ended up being $1240.68.

LILBENZ230

My drifts to the right, as well. I've had it aligned.. still does it. Mine's never been in an accident, either. Who knows.

91RS

That seems to be a common "issue" with these cars then, I've seen a bunch of threads of people saying their car does that. I put my C63 wheels back on today!

Glyn M Ruck

There is a known fix for the drift - in your case - LHD cars you need to set one degree more castor on the right than the left & it stops it. All alignment shops in SA have had this beaten in to them. On RHD cars the reverse applies - here's my set up & it tracks straight.

91RS

Yeah, I figured that was the case since my caster is pretty close to the same on both sides.

bigshaun29

Glyn,

Good to see your name. I am getting ready to buy new rears for my C230. Getting the Continentals 245/40ZR17 DWS. The last time I had the car serviced, they said I needed new rear tires and a wheel alignment because the rear passenger tire was wearing out way more than the left rear passenger. My question is, how much should I be paying for a (4) wheel alignment in the states? The MB dealer wants $200.00. Is this something I can do myself? The place that I am buying the tires from, do not do wheel alignments.

MBfinatic

This looks complicated. I have to take my car tomorow for aligning all 4 wheels .

Glyn M Ruck

Just find a decent alignment shop with a John Bean, Hunter etc. 4 wheel alignment machine & let them do the job. It certainly won't cost $200.

Get them to set the rear toe properly. You can take them the method from the forum & if you want them to be able to do castor & camber on the front then take them 4 X Fluted three position bolts for the front bushings.

Good luck!

samaritrey

I got my dealer to do one for 125 but I already had the fluted bolts.