Does All Mercedes Benz's Pull to the Right??
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 12
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2003 E320
Does All Mercedes Benz's Pull to the Right??
Well, I dropped off my E for service the other day. It has a list of problems, the biggest being that the car stopped producing heat?
Good thing I live in Florida and it's 85 degrees!!
Anyway, another problem is that the car always pulls to the right. When I mentioned this to my service associate, he told me that all Benz's pull to the Right. He said I could take out a new S550 and it will do it.
He then went on to tell me that it also has someting to do with Florida roads.
Does anyone else have this problem. I am starting to think that they don't want to fix the problem if there is a problem. It is a CPO, so I think I would be covered. I was thinking of having it looked at by another dealer or one of those private MB servicing centers.
Thanks for the responses.
Joe
Good thing I live in Florida and it's 85 degrees!!Anyway, another problem is that the car always pulls to the right. When I mentioned this to my service associate, he told me that all Benz's pull to the Right. He said I could take out a new S550 and it will do it.
He then went on to tell me that it also has someting to do with Florida roads. Does anyone else have this problem. I am starting to think that they don't want to fix the problem if there is a problem. It is a CPO, so I think I would be covered. I was thinking of having it looked at by another dealer or one of those private MB servicing centers.
Thanks for the responses.
Joe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
My '07 never pulled to the right untill it was almost a year old, (11,000 gentle MI) then it pulled so hard to the right that I had to hold my steering wheel to the left to travel in a straight line. (face of a clock-about 2 hours to the left). If I took my hands off the wheel It would run off the right side of the lane within 300 feet.
They checked all the usual things first, then installed a Camber(?) Bolt Kit & did an Alignment & it tracks perfectly again. $329.00 incld tax. Had I brought it in a Month earlier (still only had 11,500 miles on the clock, but over the 12th Month) it would have been covered by the warranty, but I just couldn't fit it into my schedule... Whatever. They have a "Kit" to fix the pull & Its fixed & I'm loving the ride again.
Bottom line is MBUSA wouldn't have a known cure for the situation unless a statistically significant nummber of 211 E's did have a pulling to the right issue.
They checked all the usual things first, then installed a Camber(?) Bolt Kit & did an Alignment & it tracks perfectly again. $329.00 incld tax. Had I brought it in a Month earlier (still only had 11,500 miles on the clock, but over the 12th Month) it would have been covered by the warranty, but I just couldn't fit it into my schedule... Whatever. They have a "Kit" to fix the pull & Its fixed & I'm loving the ride again.
Bottom line is MBUSA wouldn't have a known cure for the situation unless a statistically significant nummber of 211 E's did have a pulling to the right issue.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 27, 2008 at 06:24 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
That is nonsense. It would have to be the road, tires or an alignment. Of course a Mercedes doesn't pull to the right, when in optimal condition they track straight and true. Must be the road, tires or something else is off, pulling to the right isn't the default.
M
M
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
My guess is alignment with caster being within specs but not enough +caster on the right wheel. This will show in the cross caster numbers. Typically the shops will set the #'s to the center of the range. But if your car pulls right you can add some + caster on the right wheel to help this problem. The problem comes in when the wheel won't adjust. This is when you have to install the Factory parts (camber kit) to allow for this adjustment.
If you have a really good shop you can discuss this with them and they can cover the options. Too many times the shop has a "average" person doing the alignment that just sets it to middle of the range spec. The reason you have a range is to allow for some deviations in car, road tires etc. The + caster adjustment can be made and still in range,, just not the center of the range.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Norfolk VA
2018 GLE350 4matic
Pulling to the Right?
My 07 E350 with 14K miles doesn't pull to the right here in VA it tracks straight, I can take my hands off the wheel and car stays where pointed.
I think I would go for an alignment.
I think I would go for an alignment.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, Pa
2011 350 4Matic EClass Sport Edition and 2003 500SL & 2010 Range Rover Sport
Bull!
The Mercedes is one of the finest cars in the world. It DOES NOT by nature pull to the right. If it does....you have a problem, and if a Dealer says it should pull to the right....that Dealer is wrong.
I've had more than several Mercedes over the years, and they don't pull to the left or right. They track straight and true unless the road is pitched badly in one direction or the other.
Stan
The Mercedes is one of the finest cars in the world. It DOES NOT by nature pull to the right. If it does....you have a problem, and if a Dealer says it should pull to the right....that Dealer is wrong.
I've had more than several Mercedes over the years, and they don't pull to the left or right. They track straight and true unless the road is pitched badly in one direction or the other.
Stan
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 14
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From: Chicago IL
2014 S550 4Matic
Hi,
I have had similar issues in the past. From what I can tell, I have good enough setup when:
(1) Driving in the left lane, the car has a slight left pull
(2) Driving in the right lane, the car has a slight right pull
The above two show that the car is following the natural grade of the road.
Having chased "pull" issues in the past (my previous car, a M3), another factor that dictates pull are the tires themselves--rotating tires left to right and vice versa can get rid of the problem, although I had a set that basically did the pull to the very end.
The most obvious culprit is obviously alignment and camber/castor adjustment...
My 2 cents...
ttsidd
2006 E350 4Matic
I have had similar issues in the past. From what I can tell, I have good enough setup when:
(1) Driving in the left lane, the car has a slight left pull
(2) Driving in the right lane, the car has a slight right pull
The above two show that the car is following the natural grade of the road.
Having chased "pull" issues in the past (my previous car, a M3), another factor that dictates pull are the tires themselves--rotating tires left to right and vice versa can get rid of the problem, although I had a set that basically did the pull to the very end.
The most obvious culprit is obviously alignment and camber/castor adjustment...
My 2 cents...
ttsidd
2006 E350 4Matic
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2008 E350
Well, I dropped off my E for service the other day. It has a list of problems, the biggest being that the car stopped producing heat? Good thing I live in Florida and it's 85 degrees!!
Anyway, another problem is that the car always pulls to the right. When I mentioned this to my service associate, he told me that all Benz's pull to the Right. He said I could take out a new S550 and it will do it. He then went on to tell me that it also has someting to do with Florida roads.
Does anyone else have this problem. I am starting to think that they don't want to fix the problem if there is a problem. It is a CPO, so I think I would be covered. I was thinking of having it looked at by another dealer or one of those private MB servicing centers.
Thanks for the responses.
Joe
Good thing I live in Florida and it's 85 degrees!!Anyway, another problem is that the car always pulls to the right. When I mentioned this to my service associate, he told me that all Benz's pull to the Right. He said I could take out a new S550 and it will do it.
He then went on to tell me that it also has someting to do with Florida roads. Does anyone else have this problem. I am starting to think that they don't want to fix the problem if there is a problem. It is a CPO, so I think I would be covered. I was thinking of having it looked at by another dealer or one of those private MB servicing centers.
Thanks for the responses.
Joe
Hope this helps.
Last edited by GGM; Apr 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Exit 16E
07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1
is yanking your chain, so find another one.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Rockville, MD
You got a snow job in FL
Seriously, the only time either of the 2 Benzes I have had pulled was due to improper tire pressure inflation or the pot hole that I hit in February, and that bent 2 wheels.
Does the car vibrate at any speed? You may have an out of round tire, but that would cause a vibration and not necessarily pulling.
I know that FL roads do not have pot holes from the old freeze thaw. So, either your tire pressure is off or you have something bent...or you may have gotten snow.
Does the car vibrate at any speed? You may have an out of round tire, but that would cause a vibration and not necessarily pulling.
I know that FL roads do not have pot holes from the old freeze thaw. So, either your tire pressure is off or you have something bent...or you may have gotten snow.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
None of the MB's I have ever owned pulled to the right unless I was driving on a crowned road. My current 05 E 4M tracks like its on rails. Do not buy that explanation and find another SA at the dealership.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 16
From: NY
2014 E550; 2003 E500
Hi,
I have had similar issues in the past. From what I can tell, I have good enough setup when:
(1) Driving in the left lane, the car has a slight left pull
(2) Driving in the right lane, the car has a slight right pull
The above two show that the car is following the natural grade of the road.
Having chased "pull" issues in the past (my previous car, a M3), another factor that dictates pull are the tires themselves--rotating tires left to right and vice versa can get rid of the problem, although I had a set that basically did the pull to the very end.
The most obvious culprit is obviously alignment and camber/castor adjustment...
My 2 cents...
ttsidd
2006 E350 4Matic
I have had similar issues in the past. From what I can tell, I have good enough setup when:
(1) Driving in the left lane, the car has a slight left pull
(2) Driving in the right lane, the car has a slight right pull
The above two show that the car is following the natural grade of the road.
Having chased "pull" issues in the past (my previous car, a M3), another factor that dictates pull are the tires themselves--rotating tires left to right and vice versa can get rid of the problem, although I had a set that basically did the pull to the very end.
The most obvious culprit is obviously alignment and camber/castor adjustment...
My 2 cents...
ttsidd
2006 E350 4Matic
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Well known problem, camber/caster kits have been used on all w211 models since inception to correct pulling in either direction – most often right. Camber adjustment corrects drifting however, does not affect tire wear.
To those with new vehicles wheel alignment, “road force” balancing, and brake squeal are all covered, no questions asked, by MBUSA for the first 12,000 miles/12 months whichever comes first so I would suggest taking advantage (for lack of a better term) during this period.
Extended warranty coverage depends on how the warranty reads however, given the available kit and its purpose I would not entirely rule out coverage or a goodwill alignment depending on the dealership and your relationship with them – the problem is well known.
CPO should cover the correction, request to speak with the service manager and shop foreman who both should be well aware of the camber/caster kit and its purpose. BTW, take them up on their offer to test drive the S550!!
To those with new vehicles wheel alignment, “road force” balancing, and brake squeal are all covered, no questions asked, by MBUSA for the first 12,000 miles/12 months whichever comes first so I would suggest taking advantage (for lack of a better term) during this period.
Extended warranty coverage depends on how the warranty reads however, given the available kit and its purpose I would not entirely rule out coverage or a goodwill alignment depending on the dealership and your relationship with them – the problem is well known.
CPO should cover the correction, request to speak with the service manager and shop foreman who both should be well aware of the camber/caster kit and its purpose. BTW, take them up on their offer to test drive the S550!!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
2014 S550 4Matic
Do you have Airmatic? I read previous posts that follow your observance of "road crown". My 03 e500 wasn't that bad, but after 10k of changing the lower ball joints, it went bad. I never had it aligned yet because it doesn't bother me that much (yet) and my tires seem to have normal wear (except more so in the inner part of the tire on the driver side front - probably from driver weight driving it 90% alone).
Nice
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
It'd be helpful if the SAs used more precise language. A properly aligned car will track straight on a level road, pulling neither right nor left, but will drift left or right on a crowned road.
To say that a car "pulls" because of the crown on the road isn't correct and just confuses things.
To say that a car "pulls" because of the crown on the road isn't correct and just confuses things.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
They are setting alignment for center of range and not compensating for the pull with caster. But then they may never know and you might need to find someone else that can do the work. ASK for a printed copy of the initial and final alignment numbers then check for center of range.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 2
From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Well, I dropped off my E for service the other day. It has a list of problems, the biggest being that the car stopped producing heat? Good thing I live in Florida and it's 85 degrees!!
Anyway, another problem is that the car always pulls to the right. When I mentioned this to my service associate, he told me that all Benz's pull to the Right. He said I could take out a new S550 and it will do it. He then went on to tell me that it also has someting to do with Florida roads.
Thanks for the responses.
Joe
Good thing I live in Florida and it's 85 degrees!!Anyway, another problem is that the car always pulls to the right. When I mentioned this to my service associate, he told me that all Benz's pull to the Right. He said I could take out a new S550 and it will do it.
He then went on to tell me that it also has someting to do with Florida roads. Thanks for the responses.
Joe
You can refute both claims. Do your other cars pull? If not, then its not the road. And tell them u're going to call MBUSA, and state that this dealer is saying "all MB's pull to the right".....
BTW, where are you?????
