HighEndOne

Hello Folks,

I have a 2002 CLK55 that I bought pre-owned about a year ago. It had 6K on it when it got it.

The previous owner had custom wheels and tires on it, but the original AMG Monoblocks and Michelin Pilots were stored and put back on the car right before it was delivered to me. So essentially the OEM wheels and tires were brand new when I got the car.

This is the first car I have owned with a recirculating ball steering system. All the others are/were rack and pinion types. Is it just me, or does the MB steering lack the crisp and direct feel I am used to from the rack and pinion system?

Also, the car seemed to wander around the road, especially on worn pavement (the grooves and humps) where the tires compress the asphalt into little channels on either side of the lane center. I had the car aligned at the dealer two weeks ago, and $100 later, I can't really say there has been much of an improvement.

Is this a function of the alignment, steering, wide tires or what? Any help would be appreciated.

Best to all,

JM

Improviz

1) Recirculating ball steering is definitely not on a par with rack and pinion, in terms of feel *or* precision. It is the biggest drawback of this car, imo. The C32's rack and pinion system is much better, but I liked the looks (and engine) of the CLK55 much better...still, it's a pity that it doesn't have both.

2) The wandering over ridges, etc. you are describing is called tramlining. Alignment can sometimes help a bit, but will never eliminate it. You are correct in your third assumption, that wider tires are the main cause. Here is an article that TireRack has about tramlining:

TireRack's tramlining info page

5439cc

Improv - Your Right on the MONEY Amigo - The Steering of the CLK55 is it's weakness links - It simply does not communicate with the driver. I never feel as if I have complete control regarding the steering feedback. I gotta say, more and more I miss the Porsche Platform.

Improviz

....part of which is due to the R&P, and even more importantly, they don't have a heavy engine over the front wheels dampening the feedback. Fantastic steering; it feels like your hands are gliding over the road.

Sorry to hear of your engine woes, btw...keep us posted, and good luck!!

burat

that's why I lowered my clk55 using 1 and 2 pads and konis shocks. It improved a little bit especially when driving at high speeds in the freeway. But low speed, forget about it because the power steering really kicks in like in most luxury cars.

HighEndOne

Thanks to all for the replies.

As far as the steering feel goes, I don't think I will ever buy another car that does not have rack and pinion steering. I would have expected better from MB and AMG. Well, maybe it's time to try a new E55! Or as 5439cc indicated somewhere else... can you spell PORSCHE?

Thanks to Improviz for the link to the tramlining information. It looks like there's not much that can be done for that. It's less of a problem as speed increases, so I guess I'll have to drive faster.

Valentine One don't fail me now!

Happy Motoring...

rroberts

I am having an alignment at my next service ~48k miles and the dealer here in San Jose, Calif. wants $325 (front and rear, complete. Where are MBZ dealers doing this for $100?

Also, I love my CLK55 but I do think the steering is CLK320 grade. I took a high performance driving class and found that high speed lane changes were a lot harder than in BMW M3s and even 330s. I just could not get the steering wheel from lock to lock anywhere near as quick, putting my top speed right in there with Jag sedans even though I had more rubber on the road, more HP etc.

HighEndOne

Well, I can't comment on West Coast MBZ Maintenance prices, but here in "Fly-Over" country (the Midwest) the alignment was $106.27, complete. That was for the front and rear alignment and to straighten the steering wheel too.

And I will say again, the biggest disappointment I have with the car is the lack of steering feel and precision. I have driven many cars, most of them much lower in price, that beat the CLK55 hands down in this area.

Now, on the other hand... WHAT AN ENGINE!

ima55r2

My alignment was under $135 but its a little far for you to go to my dealer.

If you know of a good alignment shop, you might be able to use my "before and after" numbers on my clk. Its too big a file to attach so PM me and I will send it to you.


I found out the hard way that MB doesn't let go of the settings to anyone.

You also might need the MB camber kit.

m444

Custom Alignment-Balance is one of the best in the bay area. (650) 961-5311, 2599 Wyandotte St, MV, CA

I noticed the CLK55 handles a little like a police cruiser, same kind of steering box. I love the exhaust burble of the CLK55.

Even a Mustang has Rack and Pinion, since at least 1988.

Besides the C32, what other Mercedes have Rack & pinion?

Don

m444

On the mbusa website, just found that the 2003 CLK55 has rack & pinion, the 2002 CLK55 has Recirculating-ball steering.

I wonder how much the parts cost to convert?

MB is progressing.

Don

HighEndOne

I do not think a conversion is possible...

allenjdmb

are you sure that the wheels/tires were all that were changed? Most of us who do wheels tires are going to do a bit of suspension as well, even if it's just springs--and although I fully agree about the recir ball steering--I'll bet you've got some camber issues in the front. Could be that your previous owner took some stuff off, or put the OE back on, or left some of both. This will aggravate the tramlining and general poor feel in the steering, as the front tires may be dancing on just the inside of your tires. A bolt kit is abailable for the 208 (uses a 202 part number), and with a quality alignment, won't make it feel like a Porsche or BMW, but a much better Benz.
Hope this helps...
allen

HighEndOne

I really don't know if anything other than the wheels and tires were changed. Would the MB dealer who did the alignment see anything wrong with the camber settings, or notice non-factory parts?

They had the print out results of the alignment there, but I did not get a copy. Should I go back and ask to see that alignment report to look at the camber numbers?

Thanks.