1997 C36 steering problems
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
1997 Mercedes Benz C36 AMG
1997 C36 steering problems
Hi all,
I've owned my vehicle for over a year now and ever since I purchased it it has had steering issues.
I figured it was out of alignment so I wasn't that concerned. After an alignment attempt at the Volvo dealership I work at we determined it was more serious.
It seems the right wheel is farther back than the left towards the inner fender.
:
: About 2 and a half inches.
the car consistently pulls to the right and when turning slowly the steering wheel will turn on it's own. There is no accident history in North America but I don't know about it's original location. Didn't look like it underneath as far as I could tell.
My question is, how do I adjust the suspension to straighten the problem out?
I myself and the tech I was working with couldn't spot anything.
Any help would be appreciated.
I've owned my vehicle for over a year now and ever since I purchased it it has had steering issues.
I figured it was out of alignment so I wasn't that concerned. After an alignment attempt at the Volvo dealership I work at we determined it was more serious.
It seems the right wheel is farther back than the left towards the inner fender.
:
: About 2 and a half inches.
the car consistently pulls to the right and when turning slowly the steering wheel will turn on it's own. There is no accident history in North America but I don't know about it's original location. Didn't look like it underneath as far as I could tell.
My question is, how do I adjust the suspension to straighten the problem out?
I myself and the tech I was working with couldn't spot anything.
Any help would be appreciated.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Hello,
2.5" seems a lot, is this correct?
You can purchase repair bolts from MB which allow some caster/camber adjustment for the lower arm, this can help correct your wheel alignment but this is limited
Edit: I had a similar problem on mine where somebody had installed a repair bolt on one side only, which caused the drivers side wheel to be further back, when I replaced the bushes I measured everything and found no faults, so I reinstalled a stock central locating bolt(torx head), when Mercedes did the alighnment it was perfect!.
Maybe it was done to counter road camber?..
Cheers
2.5" seems a lot, is this correct?
You can purchase repair bolts from MB which allow some caster/camber adjustment for the lower arm, this can help correct your wheel alignment but this is limited
Edit: I had a similar problem on mine where somebody had installed a repair bolt on one side only, which caused the drivers side wheel to be further back, when I replaced the bushes I measured everything and found no faults, so I reinstalled a stock central locating bolt(torx head), when Mercedes did the alighnment it was perfect!.
Maybe it was done to counter road camber?..
Cheers
Last edited by Pagz; Nov 5, 2014 at 06:29 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Sure no problem, unfortunately you cannot adjust the stock bolts.
The repair bolts are slotted to allow either max pull in or max push out on the bush. so with a combination of either one stock central bolt or two repair bolts you can have 8 configurations/adjustments per side
If it is 2.5" would this be rubbing on the fender?, or are you saying this in the distance between wheel and arch?
The repair bolts are slotted to allow either max pull in or max push out on the bush. so with a combination of either one stock central bolt or two repair bolts you can have 8 configurations/adjustments per side
If it is 2.5" would this be rubbing on the fender?, or are you saying this in the distance between wheel and arch?
Last edited by Pagz; Nov 5, 2014 at 06:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
1997 Mercedes Benz C36 AMG
Doesn't rub no. Distance between the wheel and the arch.
I can hear the tires grinding against the ground when turning slowly but not against the inner fenders. I guess I'll contact my MB dealership and get a price on the bolts.
Cheers
I can hear the tires grinding against the ground when turning slowly but not against the inner fenders. I guess I'll contact my MB dealership and get a price on the bolts.
Cheers
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Have you checked the condition of your rear lower arm impact bushes?, also check to see if you already have any repair bolts. Repair bolts don't have a torx head and usually come with Nylock nuts.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
1997 Mercedes Benz C36 AMG
Hey Pagz,
Thanks for all the info. I have an appointment at my local MB specialist tomorrow and i'll see what's what with the caster/camber adjustment. I imagine the repair bolts are already installed since the car has been lowered but if not they are only $18 a piece.
I'm also getting a trans flush and all of the bulbs replaced in the cluster. I already tried removing the cluster myself and ended up breaking a piece of the plastic edging so ill leave it to the professionals. My trans shifts funny for the first 2 minutes after a cold start so I'm hoping a fresh flush will rectify it.
Cheers
Thanks for all the info. I have an appointment at my local MB specialist tomorrow and i'll see what's what with the caster/camber adjustment. I imagine the repair bolts are already installed since the car has been lowered but if not they are only $18 a piece.
I'm also getting a trans flush and all of the bulbs replaced in the cluster. I already tried removing the cluster myself and ended up breaking a piece of the plastic edging so ill leave it to the professionals. My trans shifts funny for the first 2 minutes after a cold start so I'm hoping a fresh flush will rectify it.
Cheers
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