Looking for wheel alignment in San Jose
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,175
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From: Socal
EVE
Looking for wheel alignment in San Jose
I am looking for a place here in the bay area preferably in San Jose or Santa Clara? I dont know what type of wheel alignment but my C230K sedan keeps veering to the right.
Thanks,
mig888
Thanks,
mig888
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,266
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Do you have C7 wheels or other lo prof 17" or larger wheels?
If so, it's a common problem.
Not much they can do.
It's the crown in the road.
If so, it's a common problem.
Not much they can do.
It's the crown in the road.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver WA
'14 GLK250 Diesel
I would start with one of the two dealers in the South Bay. Make it clear that the pulling is your problem. Suggest, if all else fails, a try at caster adjustment that might even include a difference between right and left caster to compensate.
Depending on the car, if you have the option to move the rear tires to the front, do that first. If pulling persists, then off to the alignment rack.
If you have modified the suspension in any way, or fitted super-large wheels, then you are on your own. Otherwise, give the dealers a chance to do their job.
Our C240 wanted to wander to the left [apparent on the pre-delivery test drive]. It took two tries, but the techs at MB-Sacto succeeded in solving the problem, with the caster set slightly differently from one side to the other. Car tracks like a train now.
Depending on the car, if you have the option to move the rear tires to the front, do that first. If pulling persists, then off to the alignment rack.
If you have modified the suspension in any way, or fitted super-large wheels, then you are on your own. Otherwise, give the dealers a chance to do their job.
Our C240 wanted to wander to the left [apparent on the pre-delivery test drive]. It took two tries, but the techs at MB-Sacto succeeded in solving the problem, with the caster set slightly differently from one side to the other. Car tracks like a train now.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: California
E55
There's a Mercedes repair place on DeAnza Boulevard between 280 and Steven's Creek in Cupertino. I have never used them, as my car is still under warranty. I've read a ton of posts on here about cars pulling to the right. I complained of this several times to my dealer and the problem still persists. I know it is not crown in the road (that would constitute directional steer) because it does it on flat surfaces too. I have yet to ask them to adjust the camber.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver WA
'14 GLK250 Diesel
Important note:
It's CASTER, not camber.
Camber is the way the wheel looks relative to vertical as viewed from front and back.
Caster is the way the strut / suspension pieces are lined up relative to vertical as viewed from the SIDE of the car.
Generally, you'll note an bit of an angle to the front as the strut / shock is viewed from its top attachment point to the bottom. This angle is called caster...generally, the more the bottom is thrust forward [ positive caster], the more the car will resist changes in direction. By varying this slightly from one side to the other, you can compensate for the car wanting to pull. This trick is only to be used if the problem can't be solved with a careful 4-wheel alignment that sets everything to spec.
Our car was within spec, but still wanted to drift - the tech deduced, correctly, that putting in just a little more caster on the side that was pulling would do the trick - he was right.
It's CASTER, not camber.
Camber is the way the wheel looks relative to vertical as viewed from front and back.
Caster is the way the strut / suspension pieces are lined up relative to vertical as viewed from the SIDE of the car.
Generally, you'll note an bit of an angle to the front as the strut / shock is viewed from its top attachment point to the bottom. This angle is called caster...generally, the more the bottom is thrust forward [ positive caster], the more the car will resist changes in direction. By varying this slightly from one side to the other, you can compensate for the car wanting to pull. This trick is only to be used if the problem can't be solved with a careful 4-wheel alignment that sets everything to spec.
Our car was within spec, but still wanted to drift - the tech deduced, correctly, that putting in just a little more caster on the side that was pulling would do the trick - he was right.
