Does the 2004 CLK320 pull to the right
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Does the 2004 CLK320 pull to the right
I am thinking of purchasing a 2004 CLK.
I drove both a used 2004 and a new 2004. Both had a tendency to pull to the right whenever the road had a slight right tilt. The more the tilt, the harder the pull.
However, the vehicle did not pull to the left when the road had a slight or moderate tilt to the left.
My questions are:
1 - Is this a characteristic of the vehice?
2 - Can it be addressed by playing with the alignment settings (e.g., factory vs. Florida road settings, can the camber be adjusted, etc.)?
3 - Who has experienced this problem and has it been corrected to your satisfaction. If so, how was it corrected.
Frank, objective and factual responses would be most appreciated.
I drove both a used 2004 and a new 2004. Both had a tendency to pull to the right whenever the road had a slight right tilt. The more the tilt, the harder the pull.
However, the vehicle did not pull to the left when the road had a slight or moderate tilt to the left.
My questions are:
1 - Is this a characteristic of the vehice?
2 - Can it be addressed by playing with the alignment settings (e.g., factory vs. Florida road settings, can the camber be adjusted, etc.)?
3 - Who has experienced this problem and has it been corrected to your satisfaction. If so, how was it corrected.
Frank, objective and factual responses would be most appreciated.
Last edited by inthemix; Feb 19, 2004 at 10:31 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Spain
300E CLK320CAB
Try checking this out
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=58783
http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/th...posts=2&fid=21
It seems that some people in the US who have bought W209 did experience this problem.
The ones I know in European areas who own both W209 Coupe or Cabrios have not mentioned this as an issue, with the exception of UK, where I could see it has been reported..but to the left side.
Alignment settings seem to fix the problem for most US drivers.
Good luck.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=58783
http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/th...posts=2&fid=21
It seems that some people in the US who have bought W209 did experience this problem.
The ones I know in European areas who own both W209 Coupe or Cabrios have not mentioned this as an issue, with the exception of UK, where I could see it has been reported..but to the left side.
Alignment settings seem to fix the problem for most US drivers.
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
W209
Originally posted by inthemix
BrabusClK04,
How long did you drive the vehicle with original wheels?
Did you notice a pull before then?
BrabusClK04,
How long did you drive the vehicle with original wheels?
Did you notice a pull before then?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Thanks BrabusClK04.
I have not actually purchased the vehicle yet. I am trying to determine if others have experienced this and if it is an inherent characteristic that cannot be corrected.
I do not want to spend $50K for a vehicle that will have a constant right pull under most driving conditions.
Forum members, keep the comments coming.
Thanks.
I have not actually purchased the vehicle yet. I am trying to determine if others have experienced this and if it is an inherent characteristic that cannot be corrected.
I do not want to spend $50K for a vehicle that will have a constant right pull under most driving conditions.
Forum members, keep the comments coming.
Thanks.
Trending Topics
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2004 CLK 320
Mine has more of tendancy to drift to the right, but I wouldn't call my experience a pull. If I drive on the crown of the road all seems fine. I've driven on the wrong side of same road to see if car would drift left and it does, but just a bit.
It seems there are some that do and some that don't and some that might.
Also it appears that the problem, if there is one, can be remedied at the dealer.
I have had mine for a few months and in my opinion it's well engineered, not perfect, but tight as a vault. I spent the dough on the exclusiveness (so far) of the 209, more than anything.
My only real problem has been the wiper issue, which I fixed myelf.
It seems there are some that do and some that don't and some that might.
Also it appears that the problem, if there is one, can be remedied at the dealer.
I have had mine for a few months and in my opinion it's well engineered, not perfect, but tight as a vault. I spent the dough on the exclusiveness (so far) of the 209, more than anything.
My only real problem has been the wiper issue, which I fixed myelf.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2004 CLK 320 Coupe
Originally posted by Carbon9
Mine has more of tendancy to drift to the right, but I wouldn't call my experience a pull. If I drive on the crown of the road all seems fine. I've driven on the wrong side of same road to see if car would drift left and it does, but just a bit.
It seems there are some that do and some that don't and some that might.
Also it appears that the problem, if there is one, can be remedied at the dealer.
I have had mine for a few months and in my opinion it's well engineered, not perfect, but tight as a vault. I spent the dough on the exclusiveness (so far) of the 209, more than anything.
My only real problem has been the wiper issue, which I fixed myelf.
Mine has more of tendancy to drift to the right, but I wouldn't call my experience a pull. If I drive on the crown of the road all seems fine. I've driven on the wrong side of same road to see if car would drift left and it does, but just a bit.
It seems there are some that do and some that don't and some that might.
Also it appears that the problem, if there is one, can be remedied at the dealer.
I have had mine for a few months and in my opinion it's well engineered, not perfect, but tight as a vault. I spent the dough on the exclusiveness (so far) of the 209, more than anything.
My only real problem has been the wiper issue, which I fixed myelf.
Well in the past month I drove the car almost everyday and since the issue did not seem to bother the operation of the car at all, I just ignored it.
I will try to have this problem addressed completely in my next visit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
03 CLK500, 04 X3, No 07 GT3RS :(
Originally posted by inthemix
Thanks BrabusClK04.
I have not actually purchased the vehicle yet. I am trying to determine if others have experienced this and if it is an inherent characteristic that cannot be corrected.
I do not want to spend $50K for a vehicle that will have a constant right pull under most driving conditions.
Forum members, keep the comments coming.
Thanks.
Thanks BrabusClK04.
I have not actually purchased the vehicle yet. I am trying to determine if others have experienced this and if it is an inherent characteristic that cannot be corrected.
I do not want to spend $50K for a vehicle that will have a constant right pull under most driving conditions.
Forum members, keep the comments coming.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Thanks Frisco,
I did a search on "drift right" and found quite a few articles.
Based on my review of these articles, here is what I plan to do if I decide to purchase this vehicle:
1 - Perform a test drive prior to purchase and if it drifts to the right, take the service manager on a test drive (so that the "customer states" can be changed to "service manager observed" and refuse to purchase the vehicle until the drift is corrected.
2 - Have them to perform necessary actions (e.g., wheel alignments, tire replacements, install camber/caster kits) to attempt to correct the problem
3 - I will not accept that the "crown in the road" causes this. I own a 1999 C230 Mercedes and a 2001 RX-300 Lexus that do not have this problem.
I appreciate all of the forum members who have replied to my specific request and who have provided postings in the past on this drift right problem.
I'll let you all know how things work out.
Vehicle will be delivered from the port to the dealership next week.
I did a search on "drift right" and found quite a few articles.
Based on my review of these articles, here is what I plan to do if I decide to purchase this vehicle:
1 - Perform a test drive prior to purchase and if it drifts to the right, take the service manager on a test drive (so that the "customer states" can be changed to "service manager observed" and refuse to purchase the vehicle until the drift is corrected.
2 - Have them to perform necessary actions (e.g., wheel alignments, tire replacements, install camber/caster kits) to attempt to correct the problem
3 - I will not accept that the "crown in the road" causes this. I own a 1999 C230 Mercedes and a 2001 RX-300 Lexus that do not have this problem.
I appreciate all of the forum members who have replied to my specific request and who have provided postings in the past on this drift right problem.
I'll let you all know how things work out.
Vehicle will be delivered from the port to the dealership next week.
Last edited by inthemix; Feb 20, 2004 at 03:38 PM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: SJ, California
2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
I took my in after reading about everyones problems. I would say it would drift to the right more than a pull. When I took it in I also got the story about the crown in the road but told them that I had just taken two long trips down the I-5 and noticed it even on long straightaways. Long story short I returned with the car on the next day and they did a four wheel alignment.
Here are the results.
They replace the left and right front camber caster bolts. It was all free so I didn't sweat it.
sjclk
Here are the results.
They replace the left and right front camber caster bolts. It was all free so I didn't sweat it.
sjclk
Last edited by sjclk; Feb 20, 2004 at 04:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
sjclk,
Thanks for sharing your story and including the results.
As I view the results, it appears that the corrected front caster adjustment is now out of tolerance.
Did they have to make the caster adjustment out of tolerance to correct the drift?
Did they indicate how this out of tolerance adjustment would impact the tire wear?
Are you now pleased with how the vehicle is driving?
Thanks for sharing your story and including the results.
As I view the results, it appears that the corrected front caster adjustment is now out of tolerance.
Did they have to make the caster adjustment out of tolerance to correct the drift?
Did they indicate how this out of tolerance adjustment would impact the tire wear?
Are you now pleased with how the vehicle is driving?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: atlanta GA
piece of junk.well not really-just want people to think that.
PULLIN LIKE CRAZY!!!
yea my car did the same thing from the day i bought it....the benz dealer told me that its "suppose to pull right"...HAHAHAA. yea right man!!
these cars for some reason have a bad caster split on the RIGHT FRONT along with more negative camber than the left front...to correct the problem, i went to the parts department and purchased caster/camber bolts, had them installed, aligned it, and it drives pretty good now...total bill was about 200 bucks
this is what happens when the americans get a hold of a foreign car company..so sad
mike hong
these cars for some reason have a bad caster split on the RIGHT FRONT along with more negative camber than the left front...to correct the problem, i went to the parts department and purchased caster/camber bolts, had them installed, aligned it, and it drives pretty good now...total bill was about 200 bucks
this is what happens when the americans get a hold of a foreign car company..so sad
mike hong
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2004 CLK 320
I am curious as to how the cars are shipped oversea.
Some vehicles that experienced long train rides, would have flat spots on bearings from the repetition of going over joined track.
Don't know how each vehicle is secured on the ship and or any forces that may come into play with this..
just a rambling thought.
Some vehicles that experienced long train rides, would have flat spots on bearings from the repetition of going over joined track.
Don't know how each vehicle is secured on the ship and or any forces that may come into play with this..
just a rambling thought.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: SJ, California
2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
sjclk,
Thanks for sharing your story and including the results.
As I view the results, it appears that the corrected front caster adjustment is now out of tolerance.
Did they have to make the caster adjustment out of tolerance to correct the drift?
Did they indicate how this out of tolerance adjustment would impact the tire wear?
Are you now pleased with how the vehicle is driving?
Thanks for sharing your story and including the results.
As I view the results, it appears that the corrected front caster adjustment is now out of tolerance.
Did they have to make the caster adjustment out of tolerance to correct the drift?
Did they indicate how this out of tolerance adjustment would impact the tire wear?
Are you now pleased with how the vehicle is driving?
I noticed that too and questioned them about it. I even talk to the tech who did the work and yes that was the reason that it is out of tolerance. It seems that the way the assembly is design there is no allowance for adjustment, its either in or its out, so in order to keep it from pulling to the right he had keep it out of tolerance.
They did not say how this would affect the tire wear, but they did say that there were signs that the tire was already starting to wear before the work was done.
I am very pleased with how the car drives now. I'd have to say there was a noticeable improvement .
Carbon 9,
I don't know if that could be a possibility...it maybe would depend on how long the cars sit idle without being moved.
Last edited by sjclk; Feb 25, 2004 at 12:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
My vehicle was delivered this week. During the test drive, I noticed the pulling to the right.
After discussions with the Service Manager and lead alignment guy, we decided that I would drive the vehicle for about 1,000 miles and allow the suspension to "settle in". I will then bring the vehicle back for an alignment and if necessary, installation of the camber/caster bolts, tire changes, etc.. They made a commitment to do what it takes to provide a ride that meets my expectations.
Based on the forum posting and my driving observations, this vehicle most definitely has a suspension set up that has a bias to pull right.
I noticed that when the vehicle is driven on a road with a left slant, the steering automatically turns to the right to keep the vehicle running straight. However, when the vehicle is on a road with a right slant, the steering also automatically turns to the right instead of turning to the left to keep the vehicle on the road.
I will follow up with a post after my 1,000 mile adjustment.
Question: Has anyone from Mercedes Benz (e.g., corporate, service managers, technicians, etc.) provided an explanation as to why these vehicles are configured this way from the factory?
Does it make the vehicle perform better on European roads?
After discussions with the Service Manager and lead alignment guy, we decided that I would drive the vehicle for about 1,000 miles and allow the suspension to "settle in". I will then bring the vehicle back for an alignment and if necessary, installation of the camber/caster bolts, tire changes, etc.. They made a commitment to do what it takes to provide a ride that meets my expectations.
Based on the forum posting and my driving observations, this vehicle most definitely has a suspension set up that has a bias to pull right.
I noticed that when the vehicle is driven on a road with a left slant, the steering automatically turns to the right to keep the vehicle running straight. However, when the vehicle is on a road with a right slant, the steering also automatically turns to the right instead of turning to the left to keep the vehicle on the road.
I will follow up with a post after my 1,000 mile adjustment.
Question: Has anyone from Mercedes Benz (e.g., corporate, service managers, technicians, etc.) provided an explanation as to why these vehicles are configured this way from the factory?
Does it make the vehicle perform better on European roads?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2005 CLK 320
2005 CLK 320
A few months ago I purchased new front tires,conti"s and got an alignment on my 2005 CLK 320. in less than 1000 miles it started to slowly drift to the right. I took it to the dealer and they checked the tire pressure and rotated the tires.No change, took it back and they checked again and said they did an adjustment but that was the best they could do. Again no change. What else could it be?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
This problem is common to all Benz cars. They pull to the passenger side of the car with the camber of the road. Easily fixed by fitting fluted 3 way camber & castor bolts. Then dial in 1 more degree castor on the passenger side of the car (max 2 deg.). Typically 9.6 & 10.6 degrees drivers side to passenger side.
Your pull will be gone. Every Benz dealer & alignment shop should know this. There have been many bulletins on the subject. See the Wiki.
Your pull will be gone. Every Benz dealer & alignment shop should know this. There have been many bulletins on the subject. See the Wiki.
