beau24

Dear All:

I took my car into NTB near my workplace for an alignment and to get my wheels balanced. When I went into pick it up, the manager told me that they were concerned about my front passenger wheel. It is off center in the wheel well. It sits back closer to the back of the wheel well, so there is more space in the front than back. I will upload pictures tomorrow. I assume I did damage in a recent snow 'storm' where I couldnt stop and rolled into the curb.

He said that the tie rod is slightly bent, which is causing the wheel to sit back. The drivers side front wheel is fine. This issue is causing my car to pull right, hard. Thats why I brought it into them in the first place. I hate, totally hate HBL Mercedes, and I can take it to EuroMotors in Germantown.

Should I take it to a collision place or should I let NTB repair the bent tie rod?

I apologize for not uploading pictures now, I will later tomorrow so everyone can have a better look.

blackcls63

not sure if this will help, but heres what happened to my wifes slk350,
i hit a curb pretty bad, it actually messed up the steering alignment...

service rep told me the same thing, tie rod was slightly bent. however, he fixed it using a "bolt kit". he said if that didnt fix it, he would have to replace the tie rod and the control arm. however , it has been fine ever since (touch wood!)...

total cost , boltkit & alignment, about $270 including labor.

MARK CUMMINS

The Tie rod will bend from a SIDE Impact...and will cause the TOE readings to be off..either toe in or toe out depending on what angle the tie rod is bent

I Would be looking at what OTHER item the shop overlooked ..RIM..Etc
As it takes a decent hit to bend the tie rod...

Btw has the car been Towed ?...as Ive seen several tow trucks hook a car via a tie rod and bend it...

What you stated is that the rim is OFFCENTERED in the wheel well That is called CASTER....

Also the REPAIR Bolts that the Service tech wanted to sell you are for CAMBER

Do You have a print out from the alignment machine?

m_berman

Even though you have a love/hate relationship with your MB dealer, I strongly suggest you reconsider to have the work performed at MB.

You need the car returned to factory specs and documented. This could be a problem if down the road there is a warranty issue with something related to your front end damage.

To get the bolt on repair kit and an alignment for less than $300? Why risk this band aid approach on an expensive car? Here in So Cal, just the alignment by an MB dealer is $300. Keep in mind not all alignment racks can do the percision adjustments that the MB equipment can perform. Every wonder why the MB factory rims have 5 little holes in between the bolt pattern? Special clamping adapters for Mercedes-Benz rim allows extra testing conditions covering the full Mercedes-Benz alignment specs including max steering lock. Other racks only perfom the typical tests not the full battery of tests that MB requires due to its flexible suspension systems.

You got an expensive car-- spend the xtra dollars and do it right!

blackcls63

hmmm, all work I mentioned above was done at Downtown Mercedes Benz. I guess I should have mentioned that to prevent you from assuming the worst.

Not quite sure where you go to get an alignment for $300. Its $89 at Downtown Mercedes.

m_berman

It look like I'm been ripped off. I paid that to Keys in Van Nuys. $89 sounds too good to be true. I now get my work done at Beverly Hills. I haven't had them do an alignment yet, but I will challenge them if there price is above $89.

blackcls63

remember, this is with reference to an slk350, as I stated in that post.... although , here are the different prices quoted to me when I was calling around..

west covina penske merc: $159
mr mb motors: $100
rusnak mercedes: $129

downtown merc: $89.99

Mathmik

They told me 310.00 for a 4 wheel alignment at my Dealer (EuroMotors) Germantown,md

beau24

Whhat, so alignment ranges from $80 to over $300...do dealers just toss out a price on their mood?!?!?

I'll fix my car the right way, tomorrow I'll upload pictures and see if I can find the NTB paperwork for further details.

Thank you everyone for your feedback and prices, it helps a lot. I was planning on taking it to Euromotors in Germantown, but they're the most expensive from what I see listed today. Ha

User110

can you trust NTB or Conrad's to do a Alignment on your car? i wanted to have them do mine but not sure yet.



ALi

djquix

here in houston I have been quoted 300 for an alignment as well, I think that is outrageous so I told them to f*** off. I am not paying 300 for an alignment that most other dealers(range rover,bmw,etc) charge under 200 for. It is highway robbery and I can not support this. Take the car to a service place that only deals with mb, most of those places are former MB dealer service guys, I know I have a place in houston like that and they charge 40% less than the dealer and I dont have to deal with the stupid excuses from the dealer/

beau24

Good morning!

I have attached the NTB readings as requested by Mark. C.

Feel free everyone to comment, I will upload pictures hopefully sometime today.

Almost Friday!

MARK CUMMINS

Yes there is a problem with the TOE on the RIGHT side...

Ask to see the car on the alignment rack..inspect the tie rod with a straight angle..

Also what shape is the R/F rim in? as The tie rod has to take a decent hit to bend..as the Spindle MIGHT be bent as well

Per the print out the caster is ok..and the off center wheel might be a illusion