E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Alignment fixed or not or that's how it is?

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Old Apr 30, 2003 | 01:01 PM
  #1  
bmw2mb's Avatar
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From: Raleigh
530
Alignment fixed or not or that's how it is?

there are several post about alignment issues...however

i don't know too much about camber adjustments but for those that have had adjustments to stop the right drift, did the tech adjust it OFF spec to get the car straight or was it on spec?

my tech tells me that my car's alignment is in spec however it stills drifts right because of the road's crown. he also told me that they can adjust the alignment off alittle to counter the right drift.

i've never had a car do this...it is defective or possibly the tires. i have the cont tires.

thanks.
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Old Apr 30, 2003 | 01:17 PM
  #2  
principle's Avatar
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Not the way it is

How much does the car drift? If you find it drifting at low speeds in a parking lot, it is probably a bad tire. Many posts suggest dealers are unlikely to suggest this for whatever reason. After replacing my tires, the right drift went away.

As far as the camber adjustment you mention, this feels off. You are probably in for longer term problems with this kind of adjustment. This feels similar to the overinflate tires by 14PSI on the right side solution - ie doing something to correct the problem when they clearly have no understanding of the root cause.
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Old Apr 30, 2003 | 02:26 PM
  #3  
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From: Raleigh
530
drifts a little in city and more and more at higher speeds. i'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow...i'll talk to them about switching the front tires or get replacements.

i also notice a slight bounce ride on some roads. could be a tire out of balance as i hope not a more serious issue.

i drove a bmw for 3 years that had a hard but very smooth ride on smooth roads. maybe i'm not use to the softer ride yet.
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Old Apr 30, 2003 | 02:34 PM
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andydna's Avatar
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From: Temple City, CA
2003 Mercedes E500 Sport
Hello all,

Newly registered to this forum, but have been browsing it a lot before getting my car.

Picked up the car a month ago, an E500 Sport with ContiSport 2 tires, and it does pull to the right. I took it in to the dealer, checked twice, went to road test with the mechanic, and it seemed like it was the road more than the car that was causing the problem.

Keyless was defected, amplifier changed the second day of delivery. A month later (today) it stops working again. Will take it in again tomorrow to check the following and will update the results with all of you:

-Keyless Go,
-A/C smell,
-A/C dim readability in day time.

Thanks to all for the helpful tips!

Andy
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Old May 1, 2003 | 03:25 AM
  #5  
Juanjo's Avatar
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From: Spain
'03 E320 CDI Avantgarde '00 Renault Mégane Coupé 1.6 16v (wife).
My car pulls to the right, ¿or is it the road?. There are roads where it pulls to the left, or even goes straight. At high speed is less noticeble than at low speeds. Think the auto-centering effect is small, maybe camber adjustement vary this. But I will leave as it is for the moment.
Never before had a car to do this.
My ride has Continental 245/45/17 W95.
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 11:38 AM
  #6  
Benzo1999's Avatar
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2003 E500 Sport, 1999 ML430 & Regal 402 Commodore
My car used to pull also. First I had it aligned and balanced; it still pulled. I looked at my old tires and they looked fine, no weird wear or cupping. It didn't stop until I replaced the tires. Now...straight as an arrow. Even better at 110mph!!!
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 01:30 PM
  #7  
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Well known problem, tey need to install camber/caster kits that 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.

https://mbworld.org/forums/2003982-post20.html

New tires, make certain they road force balance each wheel with GSP9700 system http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/ba...159T/index.htm

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 (certified pre-owned) should cover the correction.

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.
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 07:16 PM
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From: Chicago, IL
2003 E500 Sport, 1999 ML430 & Regal 402 Commodore
Do the adjustable camber bolts allow enough adjustment for a lowered set up?
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 09:57 AM
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brought my car in 3 times for the alignment problem and they always blame road crown i gave up since it's a lease anyway. Funny how I got a 08 c class loaner and it drove straight as an arrow

Last edited by cleankutazn; Dec 5, 2008 at 11:12 AM.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 10:39 AM
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My car didn't pull at all until just after 12,000 miles on the odometer, & then it started pulling to the right noticably. Adding this kit to my '07 eliminated the problem completely... Drives straight as an arrow.
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Old Dec 8, 2008 | 07:48 AM
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03 E500 and Corvette
Originally Posted by cleankutazn
brought my car in 3 times for the alignment problem and they always blame road crown i gave up since it's a lease anyway. Funny how I got a 08 c class loaner and it drove straight as an arrow

Correct. I believe that one. However perhaps the one you drive should have the Cross Camber set to compensate for the pull/drift. IF you use the camber adjust bolts you can set the cross camber with right wheel leading and compensate for the dift and still be within specs. When MB states it is within specs and it still drifts that can be correct. But specs have upper and lower limits. Not all cars will drive straight with the numbers at exactly center of the spec.

Example for discussion only not valid numbers.. If the spec is +/- 2.0 degrees this would be from 0 to 2.0. Not all cars will steer straight at 1.0. Some might need 1.8 or .2. This would be still in spec but not exactly center of the spec range. So you can be in spec and drift. or in spec and drive straight. You need someone who can set the cross camber to adjust lead/lag wheel.
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Old Dec 9, 2008 | 06:10 PM
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My car started pulling left after I took a steep right turn with 5 ppl in the car at a considerable speed. I adjusted air pressures (30 front, 34 rear) with a digital guage ... it decreased the pull a little bit but its still there

Is it safe to take it in for alignment to Firestone ? They have a lifetime alignment plan
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Old Dec 9, 2008 | 08:13 PM
  #13  
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They're not gonna know about the caster/camber kit.
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