I just had an alignment done by Mercedes because of its habit to wander to the right; and it seems the car still wants to pull to the right, the steering wheel also ends up turning to the right when I let go. Wondering if that’s expected, but the wandering is a bit much. My service advisor is saying to let the tires wear down, but I’m not sure it’s that. I’ve attached my values, does this look ok? They had to use an alignment kit and install new shims.
really? So not tire wear; the service advisor is saying he’s going to cross the front tires. Should I ask for a do over of the alignment?
There is simply no way that the car should be pulling to either direction, and the Steering wheel not being centred after a competent alignment. Take the SA for a drive and show him/her what the car is doing.
Demand the car be placed back on the Alignment rack and ask specifically for the AMG Tech to check/alter the alignment since the car uses shims, and not the ‘normal’ alignment person who is only used to doing GLCs and C Class cars; not AMG GTs.
I just had an alignment done by Mercedes because of its habit to wander to the right; and it seems the car still wants to pull to the right, the steering wheel also ends up turning to the right when I let go. Wondering if that’s expected, but the wandering is a bit much. My service advisor is saying to let the tires wear down, but I’m not sure it’s that. I’ve attached my values, does this look ok? They had to use an alignment kit and install new shims.
was this car ever in an accident?
Swap front wheels and see if it pulls opposite direction - if it doesn't then it needs a proper person to do a proper alignment
Swap front wheels and see if it pulls opposite direction - if it doesn't then it needs a proper person to do a proper alignment
clean carfax, PPI came back clean, no damaged to the suspension components at least visibly, everything lines up. The previous values weren’t THAT bad I don’t think. Do you see anything wildly out of spec? Not really sure how how these things are supposed to be
I see they correct the front and rear toe. It was previously out of spec, but now your front caster is out of spec. Don't know if caster is adjustable on the GT. In many cars it's not adjustable. Caster affects straightness of a car. Toe does as well, but as said, they corrected that. Generally speaking, though, doing an alignment with worn tires isn't exactly the best thing. Your tires have likely uneven wear due to the toe having been out of spec. Swapping them left to right is an easy way to determine if the tires are the problem. Ultimately, best is to get new tires, then get it aligned again and see if the problem persists.
9236391[/url]]I see they correct the front and rear toe. It was previously out of spec, but now your front caster is out of spec. Don't know if caster is adjustable on the GT. In many cars it's not adjustable. Caster affects straightness of a car. Toe does as well, but as said, they corrected that. Generally speaking, though, doing an alignment with worn tires isn't exactly the best thing. Your tires have likely uneven wear due to the toe having been out of spec. Swapping them left to right is an easy way to determine if the tires are the problem. Ultimately, best is to get new tires, then get it aligned again and see if the problem persists.
an accident would have been difficult to bring back in spec correct? If something was bent
Some time ago a friend had a similar situation with his 4th generation Viper which he regularly tracked and had at some point slid into a tire-wall. Cosmetically the car was repaired perfectly.
Dealer couldn't fix this similar situation by standard alignment practices. Mechanics are not "Frame & Body" experts per-se.
I helped him out and ended putting it up on a frame machine (body shop owned by a friend) and checked all the frame/subframe factory specs which the dealer provided. It turned out his structural cross member had absorbed some of the energy when he slid into the wall and it turned out it was ever so slightly compromised. Patiently we pulled the corners until we squared up the frame. We also welded a plate for additional support across the cross member and then took it to the dealer for re-allignment. Problem was solved.
I am not familiar with the frame design of the GT but I would find a dealer that has an on-site bodyshop and have them investigate the frame specifications.
Some time ago a friend had a similar situation with his 4th generation Viper which he regularly tracked and had at some point slid into a tire-wall. Cosmetically the car was repaired perfectly.
Dealer couldn't fix this similar situation by standard alignment practices. Mechanics are not "Frame & Body" experts per-se.
I helped him out and ended putting it up on a frame machine (body shop owned by a friend) and checked all the frame/subframe factory specs which the dealer provided. It turned out his structural cross member had absorbed some of the energy when he slid into the wall and it turned out it was ever so slightly compromised. Patiently we pulled the corners until we squared up the frame. We also welded a plate for additional support across the cross member and then took it to the dealer for re-allignment. Problem was solved.
I am not familiar with the frame design of the GT but I would find a dealer that has an on-site bodyshop and have them investigate the frame specifications.
Good luck.
luckily it wasn't this - I just got back from service, and they realigned the car back to spec - the issue was that they forgot to set it in dyno mode and didnt factor in the rear steer which botched the alignment. car's good now, steering is straight. got worried about potential accident damage, but i had a bodyshop look into it, and there's no evidence of an accident which is a great relief
9236812]Did your service advisor also tell you all will be good, just keep making right turns,lol?
honestly the dude didn’t pay attention at all and kept rushing me; very frustrating. Luckily the second time I got the attention of the shop’s foreman and just told him the issue directly.
honestly the dude didn’t pay attention at all and kept rushing me; very frustrating. Luckily the second time I got the attention of the shop’s foreman and just told him the issue directly.
No doubt the regular ‘Alignment guy’ was given your car to perform the job, and didn’t have the knowledge base to do so. The SA that told you just to drive the car and let the new tyres wear in should be fired. 🤦♂️🤦♂️
