Alignment problems
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9
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From: Wisconsin
2012 C300 4Matic Sport
Alignment problems
My L rear tire was worn unevenly, and making noise. So, I got 4 new tires (Hankook) and I had an alignment done as well. I was told that the R rear was slightly out of spec, but could not be fixed without a special bushing kit.
Now, the car pulls or drifts to the right. The Thech says that there is no adjustment on this car to fix the pulling. He say I have to get a bushing kit from MB to address this.
This does not sound right to me, but I am unsure. Anyone have this sort of experience?
My car is a 2012 C300 4Matic Sport.
Now, the car pulls or drifts to the right. The Thech says that there is no adjustment on this car to fix the pulling. He say I have to get a bushing kit from MB to address this.
This does not sound right to me, but I am unsure. Anyone have this sort of experience?
My car is a 2012 C300 4Matic Sport.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 57
2013 C250 Sport
My car started pulling right after my last alignment. I brought it back in and they said the toe was off. They fixed that and a couple days later it was back to drifting right again.
It's going back for a 3rd time.
These cars sometimes do need bolt kits as they don't have some adjustments available from the factory. Stick to dealers or German shops when it comes to aligning a Mercedes. They seem to be "different" for whatever reason.
It's going back for a 3rd time.
These cars sometimes do need bolt kits as they don't have some adjustments available from the factory. Stick to dealers or German shops when it comes to aligning a Mercedes. They seem to be "different" for whatever reason.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 57
2013 C250 Sport
So I got my car back from its third alignment today. Everyone can probably guess the outcome.
They said they could reproduce my concern and found the car drifted to the right. They said it was not pulling but drifting but was within alignment spec. However, they adjusted the toe to make it track straight.
Now my wheel is off center and drifting even harder to the right
. Like, WTF?!!! Seriously, wtf? I can change lanes to the right by letting go of the wheel.
I'm about ready to drive the car off a cliff.
And please nobody say anything about road camber. The car will climb up against road camber if I go to the other side of the road.
They said they could reproduce my concern and found the car drifted to the right. They said it was not pulling but drifting but was within alignment spec. However, they adjusted the toe to make it track straight.
Now my wheel is off center and drifting even harder to the right
. Like, WTF?!!! Seriously, wtf? I can change lanes to the right by letting go of the wheel. I'm about ready to drive the car off a cliff.
And please nobody say anything about road camber. The car will climb up against road camber if I go to the other side of the road.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS
2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic
My car has the same issues couple of weeks ago. I did alignment and the mechanic told me there's nothing wrong with the spec, just the toe was not straight. After they fixed that it's been good.
My tire worn unevenly as well, the mechanic did mention that tires could be the cause, which I do not understand at all.
Anyone else have better idea?
My tire worn unevenly as well, the mechanic did mention that tires could be the cause, which I do not understand at all.
Anyone else have better idea?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 435
Likes: 81
From: New Zealand
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
Rotate the wheels so the R/H front tyre is on the L/H side, check the pressure and don’t worry to much.
The car may feel slightly different for a day or so until the tyres even out.
Sometimes they like to come up with excuses why this should not be done, the fact is the caster and camber is set at the factory on the chassi assembly jigs and cannot be adjusted with out great effort.
That leaves tow in adjustment for the shops to fiddle with and guess what that does not have overall much effect on pulling left or right, it does change where the steering wheel sits when driving straight.
Quote: My tire worn unevenly as well.
Just to add to that usually the front tyre closest to the kerb wears the outer edge the most and this is due you always turn the sharpest in the opposite direction as you pull away from the kerb, do a u turn and turn a corner and the road surface is always sloping steepest in the same direction and that tyre being down hill takes the most weight on the outer edge compared to the other tyres.
That is why I say rotate them left to right.
The car may feel slightly different for a day or so until the tyres even out.
Sometimes they like to come up with excuses why this should not be done, the fact is the caster and camber is set at the factory on the chassi assembly jigs and cannot be adjusted with out great effort.
That leaves tow in adjustment for the shops to fiddle with and guess what that does not have overall much effect on pulling left or right, it does change where the steering wheel sits when driving straight.
Quote: My tire worn unevenly as well.
Just to add to that usually the front tyre closest to the kerb wears the outer edge the most and this is due you always turn the sharpest in the opposite direction as you pull away from the kerb, do a u turn and turn a corner and the road surface is always sloping steepest in the same direction and that tyre being down hill takes the most weight on the outer edge compared to the other tyres.
That is why I say rotate them left to right.
Last edited by NZ-Merc; Jul 8, 2016 at 04:40 AM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 121
Likes: 13
From: Sugarland, Texas
14 E350; 12 Camaro; 07 Range Rocer; 06 Dodge Ram
Never has issue with alignment. Our road crown to the right, alignment tech should know how much to adjust, so it does not drift/pull. Any good tire shop can do a better job than dealership, and you also save $100. Take it back, if the wheel is not center. It's a simple adjustment. The tech did not use a tool to hold the wheel center onto the seat.
