Drifting
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Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 115
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E550 2010
Drifting
My car drifts to the right on flat even roads when I let go of the steering wheel.
I just had the car aligned and recently replaced the tires. My alignment guy said it was the front tires since the drift changed directions when he rotated the tires.
So, I got a new set of front tires (went from the pzeros to the Conti DWS).
My guy put the new tires on, rechecked the alignment which was still good, but the car still drifts to the right!
Any ideas? My second B-service is coming up soon and I'll have them look at this if it doesn't magically resolve or if my alignment guy doesn't have any other ideas.
I just had the car aligned and recently replaced the tires. My alignment guy said it was the front tires since the drift changed directions when he rotated the tires.
So, I got a new set of front tires (went from the pzeros to the Conti DWS).
My guy put the new tires on, rechecked the alignment which was still good, but the car still drifts to the right!
Any ideas? My second B-service is coming up soon and I'll have them look at this if it doesn't magically resolve or if my alignment guy doesn't have any other ideas.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I had a slight drift due to uneven tire wear......turns out one of the tires wore differently due to having a tad less air.....last time I rotated at 10K miles was when it came up.....it has mellowed a bit since then, hopefully due to the rotation.....
I'm going in soon to get another 15K rotation, will hopefully get a clearer idea then as to the concern...
this probab;y doesn't help much....
good luck
I'm going in soon to get another 15K rotation, will hopefully get a clearer idea then as to the concern...
this probab;y doesn't help much....
good luck
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
I had a similar issue but a tad to the left, I mentioned it to my SA, when I got the car back (camber adjustment?), now it pulled WAAAAAAAAY right, I mean it made a full lane change within 1/2 a block, WTF, anyway, went back, took several rides with a tech, made the proper steering wheel adjustments (twice), drives fine now.
You will need to drive with a tech and tell him what's wrong.
You will need to drive with a tech and tell him what's wrong.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I felt like my '11 E drifts to the right a little bit as well. All M-B's drift with even the littlest crown in the road, and being that crowns are usually right, I figured that was the case. Took it to the Dealer, they explained the "crown" thing themselves, then said they had a tech check it and that everything was fine. It's minimal enough to where I can't tell if it's normal or not.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
Have the alignment checked first. It could be out just a bit. If the Alignment is ok, then have them swap the LF tire with the RF tire. If the car now drifts to the left, it is the tires. If it still drifts to the right, have them recheck the alignment, or, better yet, take it to an independent front end shop. It is not uncommon for Alignment machines to go out of calibration. Also, it is possible to have the Alignment come back "within spec" but have a bias to one side or another. In this case having them get the measurements as close to dead on or leaning on the opposite bias of your pull will correct it. Another consideration is a slight deformation in the wheel itself. If possible, take your car to a shop that offers Road-force balancing. This will actually correct the effects of most imperfections.
Last edited by ImInPA; Aug 6, 2011 at 02:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
E550 2010
Have the alignment checked first. It could be out just a bit. If the Alignment is ok, then have them swap the LF tire with the RF tire. If the car now drifts to the left, it is the tires. If it still drifts to the right, have them recheck the alignment, or, better yet, take it to an independent front end shop. It is not uncommon for Alignment machines to go out of calibration. Also, it is possible to have the Alignment come back "within spec" but have a bias to one side or another. In this case having them get the measurements as close to dead on or leaning on the opposite bias of your pull will correct it. Another consideration is a slight deformation in the wheel itself. If possible, take your car to a shop that offers Road-force balancing. This will actually correct the effects of most imperfections.
I temporarily rotated the LR withe the RR and I was convinced it still drifted to the right.
I then I temporarily rotatated the LF with the RF and I was convinced it still drifted to the right.
A note of interest at both front wheels -- I spun the brake disc by hand and I it spun freely for 3/4 the way but would slow down with accompanied caliper friction noise at the same point with every revolustion. I suspect the caliper is rubbing on a portion of the disc. But this would suggest warped rotors, right? I just got new front rotors 5000 miles ago!
