C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

W203 steering off center?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 02-19-2005, 02:30 PM
  #1  
Almost a Member!
Thread Starter
 
icecold911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2002 C240
W203 steering off center?

Hi guys... i have a problem with my steering as it seems to off center and the car tends to tilt to the right while driving.. I went to my dealer once, they were saying that the road surface is not 100% flat from preventing the raining water staying on the road and water can drain to the side. That why my car tilt to the right while driving. But i do hear this problem from other people too.. Is it just really the road or the w203 problem? Thanks guy...
Old 02-19-2005, 02:42 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
I KOMPRZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Covina, CA
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2004 C230k (SOLD), 2005 C230k (Lease ended), 2004 Carrera 4 Cab, 2007 530i
I had the same problem first day driving my car...yup it seems like the dealer is right somehow, I noticed (in a small stree) when I drive on the other side of the road, it will pull to the left instead. So it could be the road, plus I just had my car aligned recently..so I know it wont be off.
Old 02-19-2005, 06:54 PM
  #3  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Jim Banville's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: GA
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Yes, the "crown" in the road causes the car to go to the right if you drive on the right side of the road. If you were in a country where you drove on the left side of the road, your car would drift to the left.
Old 02-19-2005, 07:13 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Deutscher_Wagen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
05-C230SC
yea it does. I've felt it with cars manytimes before, but never so strong. Every time I get out of the car I fear that the tires will only be worn on one side.. lol
Old 02-19-2005, 07:36 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
rockintunes23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Delaware, United States. (First ~little~ state)
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Mercedes-Benz
Yeah, I had this same issue on my 01 c240. On some roads, the car would go to the left and others it would go to the right. I was like, to myself, what the heck?

After the dealer telling me I needed a front head alighnment to fix what I was dealing with, I did that acouple times and spent ALOT of money for it. Since it was a benz, you can only get those done at the dealership. Why, I have no clue about. Other repair places informed me that the dealership puts sand bags in the front seats. FUN FUN FUN. AnyWAY, after that... the car was still the same. So I said, heck with it and lived.

I found, after getting tires every 10,000 miles (I only drive like grandma BTW), that the problem sometimes fixed itself. From my experience, I feel the problem was caused by the car being rear wheel drive. If it was front wheel drive like my mazda I have now, the more weight in the front seems to be a factor.

Last edited by rockintunes23; 02-19-2005 at 07:39 PM.
Old 02-20-2005, 02:00 AM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Moviela's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Orange County
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 15 Posts
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
The car should go down the road straight if the pavement is reasonably level. While there may be a few high crown roads around, they are certainly in the minority. At speed on a straight interstate highway, (motorway for those in the UK), you should be able to center the wheel and almost let go for some distance.

Dealers have the proper alignment tools, and the tech's are very adept at following the instructions to check and correct the base dimensions. What most of them don't know is how to correct slight (major is usually taken care of in the first adjustment) pulling found during the test drive. All the computers and charts will tell you that the car is on spec, but it still requires you to hang onto the wheel and make corrections.

I have always had the best results by using an off-road 4 wheel drive shop to do the alignment. Those guys do so many different types of vehicles, and wild suspension mods, they can handle anything, and with a proper four wheel alignment, your car is just a dream to pilot.
Old 02-20-2005, 04:39 AM
  #7  
Almost a Member!
Thread Starter
 
icecold911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2002 C240
OH COOL... thanks guys.. at least now i can be sure that the problem happens because of the road itself. The funny thing is, i felt the steering seem go back to normal today while i was driving to lunch.
Old 02-20-2005, 04:14 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
islanguam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: California
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C230K
Do you all notice the same feeling in the other cars you've driven?

I'm not experiencing the difference...well, maybe not yet, atleast. Something to watch out for, I suppose.
But, for those of you who are experiencing the difference...does it feel the same in your other vehicles?

Just wondering...
Old 02-20-2005, 05:35 PM
  #9  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
pokerFACE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yup. there should be a slight pull to the right at all times. Mine now drives nearly straight after two alignments but now the steering is slightly off center e.g., driving the car 100% straight means the steering wheel is a degree to the left..

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: W203 steering off center?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:25 AM.