Alignment problem??
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From: Houston, TX
Used to be a CLK430
Alignment problem??
It seems my car wants to drift right for the most part, and I have to hold the steering wheel to the left to get the car to stay straight. Is this a problem with my alignment? I checked the tires, they are wearing normally...does your car steer straight without a hand on the wheel?
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Ill second that. I noticed my clk 320 cabrio does that too. It may be the crowning in the road, but its annoying that it will never go strait even if im in the left lane nearest the divider on a highway.
My 2002 C230 hatchbak does that also
Not sure if its normal is it??
Thanks!
My 2002 C230 hatchbak does that also
Not sure if its normal is it??
Thanks!
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From: Houston, TX
Used to be a CLK430
So if it needs an alignment, can anyone do it or does the stealership have to do it? I vaguely remember someone talking about a 'bolt kit' being needed for the 1st alignment....any ideas?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Houston, TX
Used to be a CLK430
Called the dealer today, said $195 if I don't need the 'bolt kit', $395 if I do....that's outrageous for a freekin alignment...does anyone know of this mystery bolt kit?
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Thread Starter
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From: Houston, TX
Used to be a CLK430
Update
I went by Discount Tire and asked them to check my tires for unusual wear and while they didn't show signs of uneven wear due to an alignment problem, they were cupping (SP9000), so I replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sports ~ whew what a difference!! My car drives completely straight and just glides across the road, I never realized that tires can have such a huge impact on the ride and comfort of the vehicle. Thanks for the replys!
I went by Discount Tire and asked them to check my tires for unusual wear and while they didn't show signs of uneven wear due to an alignment problem, they were cupping (SP9000), so I replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sports ~ whew what a difference!! My car drives completely straight and just glides across the road, I never realized that tires can have such a huge impact on the ride and comfort of the vehicle. Thanks for the replys!
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2001 CLK Cabriolet
Glad you like the Michelins. But you should know that ANY new tires you put on your car will drive "straight" without pulling for the the first 10ks or so. I know a few friends driving CLKs with Michelin Pilot Sports that are not happy with them for the same pulling problem.
I am surprised that no one on the CLK board has ever complained about their front tires showing premature wearing on the outer edges. My CLK 430 Cab with 15ks already has that problem. A local dealer told me that MB dialed in too much toe-in for the CLKs from the factory, and that the tire wear problem is common with all CLKs. They reset my alignment to reduce toe-in, and my car seems to track straighter and I am experiencing less pulling, even on tires with 15ks. Anyone out there has the same tire wear problems?
I am surprised that no one on the CLK board has ever complained about their front tires showing premature wearing on the outer edges. My CLK 430 Cab with 15ks already has that problem. A local dealer told me that MB dialed in too much toe-in for the CLKs from the factory, and that the tire wear problem is common with all CLKs. They reset my alignment to reduce toe-in, and my car seems to track straighter and I am experiencing less pulling, even on tires with 15ks. Anyone out there has the same tire wear problems?
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by red911
I am surprised that no one on the CLK board has ever complained about their front tires showing premature wearing on the outer edges. My CLK 430 Cab with 15ks already has that problem. A local dealer told me that MB dialed in too much toe-in for the CLKs from the factory, and that the tire wear problem is common with all CLKs. They reset my alignment to reduce toe-in, and my car seems to track straighter and I am experiencing less pulling, even on tires with 15ks. Anyone out there has the same tire wear problems?
I am surprised that no one on the CLK board has ever complained about their front tires showing premature wearing on the outer edges. My CLK 430 Cab with 15ks already has that problem. A local dealer told me that MB dialed in too much toe-in for the CLKs from the factory, and that the tire wear problem is common with all CLKs. They reset my alignment to reduce toe-in, and my car seems to track straighter and I am experiencing less pulling, even on tires with 15ks. Anyone out there has the same tire wear problems?
If you want to avoid excessive outer ware on your tires, just up your PSI in about 38 in front. The rears are pretty good the way they are, but you can squeeze it up to about 38 also. I don't notice much change in ride quality at this rating either, so its prerfect the way it is now.
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2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
Originally posted by nickv
So if it needs an alignment, can anyone do it or does the stealership have to do it?
So if it needs an alignment, can anyone do it or does the stealership have to do it?
I took my ML into an independent shop and I didn't know that the ML wasn't in their updated program but they did it anyway and my new tires got screwed up.
Outside front tire wear can also be attributed to aggressive turn ins as can rear center tread wear be caused by aggressive acceleration. If you were under inflated, the tires would show wear on both the inner and outer treads.
My SO-3s are showing the same but less wear than the original Pilots because I calmed down a little bit.
Last edited by ima55r2; Jan 3, 2003 at 12:35 PM.
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I am surprised that no one on the CLK board has ever complained about their front tires showing premature wearing on the outer edges. My CLK 430 Cab with 15ks already has that problem. A local dealer told me that MB dialed in too much toe-in for the CLKs from the factory, and that the tire wear problem is common with all CLKs. They reset my alignment to reduce toe-in, and my car seems to track straighter and I am experiencing less pulling, even on tires with 15ks. Anyone out there has the same tire wear problems?
...........Yes, this is a known problem with W208 CLk's. Unlike "mmgrad" I do not think that this is a tire underinflation problem. I have asked many people about this when I began to have the problem and the best I can gather is that this is common with CLk's. One way to alleviate the problem somewhat is by camber adjustment.
Ted
...........Yes, this is a known problem with W208 CLk's. Unlike "mmgrad" I do not think that this is a tire underinflation problem. I have asked many people about this when I began to have the problem and the best I can gather is that this is common with CLk's. One way to alleviate the problem somewhat is by camber adjustment.
Ted
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From: Houston, TX
Used to be a CLK430
When I go to the stealership, how do I ask for the camber adjustment? My service guy (and all of them @ Mercedes Greenway in Houston) seem like a bunch of morons, he'll probably tell me it can't be done. Is it toe-in or toe-out, or is that more for the alignment??
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2001 CLK Cabriolet
I agree with Ted. If the problem is caused by underinflation, both outer and inner edges of the front tires will show early wear. I am told by a high performance shop locally that they are sure it is because MB dialled in too much toe-in. The owner of the shop drives a CLK55, and he did the same adjustments to his alignment.
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by red911
If the problem is caused by underinflation, both outer and inner edges of the front tires will show early wear.
If the problem is caused by underinflation, both outer and inner edges of the front tires will show early wear.
After getting new tires and uping the PSI, problem went away.
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Well, while running at the factory PSI, that is exactly what I experienced. Excessive ware on inside and outside of both front tires.
..............I think therein lies the confusion. The thread was talking about excessive wear on the OUTER edges, not both edges. The specific pattern of tire wear is very useful in determining the potential cause of the problem.
Ted
..............I think therein lies the confusion. The thread was talking about excessive wear on the OUTER edges, not both edges. The specific pattern of tire wear is very useful in determining the potential cause of the problem.
Ted
