Should I trust Firestone to check/fix alignment?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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C300 sport 4matic
Should I trust Firestone to check/fix alignment?
My CPO 2010 4matic (purchased only 4 weeks ago) is pulling to the left on the highway. I'm thinking it may be the alignment - I did hit a pothole hard enough the other day that the yellow caution light on the dash flashed a few times. In the next week or so I'm taking the car into the dealer for new tires, but I've also got a coupon for a free alignment check at Firestone. Should I trust Firestone with this? Searching on this issue, I found a post that an alignment fix is $395 at the dealer if the camber needs to be adjusted.
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From: Australia, Brisbane
C220 W204
My CPO 2010 4matic (purchased only 4 weeks ago) is pulling to the left on the highway. I'm thinking it may be the alignment - I did hit a pothole hard enough the other day that the yellow caution light on the dash flashed a few times. In the next week or so I'm taking the car into the dealer for new tires, but I've also got a coupon for a free alignment check at Firestone. Should I trust Firestone with this? Searching on this issue, I found a post that an alignment fix is $395 at the dealer if the camber needs to be adjusted.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Type in 'Camber Bolts' into the search section of this 204 forum.
Here is one thread.https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...igned-but.html
In my experience the independants would not do a camber alignment unless you supplied them the adjusting camber bolts from MB. That is why MB is dear ie charging you for the adjusting camber bolts & labour.
I would check what Firestone say , you may not require camber adjustment , just the toe- in adjustment.
Here is one thread.https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...igned-but.html
In my experience the independants would not do a camber alignment unless you supplied them the adjusting camber bolts from MB. That is why MB is dear ie charging you for the adjusting camber bolts & labour.
I would check what Firestone say , you may not require camber adjustment , just the toe- in adjustment.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
My CPO 2010 4matic (purchased only 4 weeks ago) is pulling to the left on the highway. I'm thinking it may be the alignment - I did hit a pothole hard enough the other day that the yellow caution light on the dash flashed a few times. In the next week or so I'm taking the car into the dealer for new tires, but I've also got a coupon for a free alignment check at Firestone. Should I trust Firestone with this? Searching on this issue, I found a post that an alignment fix is $395 at the dealer if the camber needs to be adjusted.
Give the Firestone coupon to somebody with an F-150.
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From: Cali
01' c320 (sold) / 03' Ford Focus(sold) :( / 98' C230 / 00' SL500 / 11' C300 Sport RWD w204
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ALIGNMENT. I went to the dealer for the same thing. The service rep told me a very slight pull to the right is normal in the suspensions for C's,E's,CLS's etc. Only ones that don't have that pull is the GL and R (suv's and such). They held it over night to check for me anyways cus my car is brand new and under warranty. Unsurprisingly its "typical mercedes" crap.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ALIGNMENT. I went to the dealer for the same thing. The service rep told me a very slight pull to the right is normal in the suspensions for C's,E's,CLS's etc. Only ones that don't have that pull is the GL and R (suv's and such). They held it over night to check for me anyways cus my car is brand new and under warranty. Unsurprisingly its "typical mercedes" crap.
My almost 4 year old C300 goes straight down the road with out heading for either curb.
Last edited by RLE; Aug 22, 2011 at 04:28 PM.
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From: North Carolina
2012 C350 Sport - Iridium Silver w/Ash
To the OP, I would not go to Firestone. That did a really bad job on some work I had done years ago. It's a crap shoot with them because they get some really inexperienced people working there. I don't go near them.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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From: Gilbert, AZ
G63, C190 AMG GTC, W209 CLK63 BS, W208 CLK430
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ALIGNMENT. I went to the dealer for the same thing. The service rep told me a very slight pull to the right is normal in the suspensions for C's,E's,CLS's etc. Only ones that don't have that pull is the GL and R (suv's and such). They held it over night to check for me anyways cus my car is brand new and under warranty. Unsurprisingly its "typical mercedes" crap.
OP: I've heard good and bad things about Firestone. See if any local people have had experiences with the local Firestone. It tends to vary by location, unfortunately.
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From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
Get a quote from a custom alignment shop that also does frame alignments to original factory specs and wheel alignment to within 0.1 degree. Make sure they are a shop that gives a printed report.
If you live in a rainy region and drive spiritedly, a proper alignment could save you an accident or more. Also tire wear is far less so if you have expensive tires like the Michelin Primacy HP, could pay for itself over the life of the tires.
Judge for yourself if it is worth it, and then stay away from potholes if you can.
If you live in a rainy region and drive spiritedly, a proper alignment could save you an accident or more. Also tire wear is far less so if you have expensive tires like the Michelin Primacy HP, could pay for itself over the life of the tires.
Judge for yourself if it is worth it, and then stay away from potholes if you can.
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From: NNJ
'11 C350 '13 F150 lariat
most shops do not have the proper equipment to align these cars within specs, thats a fact. The one thing I would go to the dealer for is an alignment, with a printout and a road test before leaving. I will tell u my 2011 C350 pulled to the right slightly w 4 miles on it leaving the lot on delivery day, came from 5 states away. On the highway it tracks straight, but pulls in lower speed. I have dynamic handling package and when I engage the suspension it drives straight, both low and high speed. I have 5 sets of wheels including stocks and they all pull to the right slightly, my really wide setup is the worst of all, but straight on the highway too. go figure. Im gonna check it out soon at the stealership
