epasc

I've just had a set of 17" P-Zero Neros put on my completely stock 2004 E500. The tire shop did an alignment. I was not happy with the alignment and have been back three times. And there still seems to be a problem.

What I have noticed is that the car is very sensitive to the crown in the road and has to be gently coaxed to keep a straight line. Basically the car falls off the road in a way that I am not accustomed to - it drifts right on the right side of the road and left on the left side. I do not remember the 211 doing this before the new tires/alignment and all of my previous Benzes have tracked arrow straight.

The tire shop (a fairly reputable one in Santa Monica) says it's partially the new tires (I say BS) and that they've found that many Mercedes do this (I have not - and I have driven many for many, many miles).

I've attached my alignment report and would appreciate any 211 suspension geometry experts to tell me what they think. Are these target specs correct?

Any tips that I can pass along to them when I return again? Any recommendations for a SoCal Alignment shop?

Thanks.

Dvinn

I would like to know this too. Mine is suffering the same problem after the dealer aligned it.

SushDawg

Had this issue with my P Zero's along with a vibration that went away with switching them to Michelins PS2's after and another realignment at the dealer.

The tire place was good enough to take my tires back after 1500 miles.

DWP

Many threads in the past about the W211 pulling/drifting to one side or another, usually the right, for instance:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/163662-03-e320-pulling-right.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/26745-alignment-veers-right.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/19689-anybody-s-car-still-pulling-right.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/96136-03-e-320-still-pulling-right.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/74080-pulling-balancing-steering.html

Don't recall a definite answer to the problem, but then I may not have read the threads carefullly enough - my '03 doesn't do it.

konigstiger

This may help. I had the same problem with my 03 e320 and it was corrected while under warranty by my dealer after presenting this copy of another member’s invoice from Fletcher Jones. Note the specs.

epasc

Thanks, Konigstiger.

My E500 has 39k miles on it so getting it on warranty will be a fight, but it looks like that Fletcher Jones invoice shows an asymmetrical caster setting. Strange, but it it works, it works. I will show it to the dealer and see what they say.

Flash Gordon

Your front caster is out of spec from the dealer alignment report.

skymast

Funny you brought this up. I have a similar issue: right lane no problem; left lane, i am always fighting to keep it from going left. This is independent of tires in that it happened before I replaced them and after.

blk350c

you need bolt kits for the car. you can put the machine and adjust the alignment all day long, but until the bolt kits are installed(up to 4), there are some adjustments that cannot be made. Also, if your vehicle is following road
crown more than before, it could be the tires. Especially if it is not pulling to one particular side!

epasc

Flash,

I did notice that the caster was under spec, but it seemed like a small amount. Certainly more caster will make the car more resistant to drifting, but does anyone know:

1) are the taget specs listed on my report correct?

2) is the amount under spec (>.6°) enough to make the car noticeably looser on the straightaway?

Thanks.

evdok

This is normal believe it or not!!

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30470