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I recently brought my 2020 GLC 300 4MATIC to Christian Brothers Automotive for wheel alignment. After the work, they gave me the before and after shot as attached in the post.
As you can see, even after the alignment all four cambers for each tire are still in red. I asked them why and they said those were not adjustable and I would need to go to the dealership to ask them.
I recently got a chance to bring my car to the dealership for some warranty work and asked this question. The advisor told me that it is by design and I would need to pay like $500 to install optional adjustable bolts if I want to make them green. He said he would check with the mechanic to see if the current condition is just okay or needs some attention.
So I naturally had two questions.
1. Why MB made this strange design choice. Do they really want to sell the customers those $500 bolts after the car purchase? Or is this only reserved for some car enthusiasts, etc.?
2. Is it worth to pay $500 to install the camber adjustable bolts for later alignment needs?
I wonder if anyone knows answers to these questions.
I have the same model/year with 18,000 miles on the original tires, and tread wear is consistent across the width of all four tires. I do rotate them front to rear each 5,000 miles. Never had the suspension alignment checked.
Would not incorrect camber cause irregular tire tread wear? What has been your experience in this regard?
I have the same model/year with 18,000 miles on the original tires, and tread wear is consistent across the width of all four tires. I do rotate them front to rear each 5,000 miles. Never had the suspension alignment checked.
Would not incorrect camber cause irregular tire tread wear? What has been your experience in this regard?
I can answer this question. CBA (the alignment shop) told me that this has nothing to do with irregular tire wear. It may only affect some performance I think. I think your tires are nearing the end of their lifecycles, though.
In my case, when I replace tires, sometimes I'm told that I need to check the wheel alignment due to uneven wear. Sometimes that happens only in 6 months after the last alignment correction. So I think it's worth checking alignment every once in a while. Plus, the alignment cost is not too bad in my case. It's cheaper than filling up the tank with premium gasoline, ha.
Yes majority today's autos the often quoted re assuring "Full Front & Rear '4' Wheel Alignment" is in fact only Toe (directional) adjustment. New car industries best kept secret.
It is all to do with cost cutting and the ever increasing speed of Auto assembly lines!
No longer Camber or Caster essential to adjust tire contact angles, spread load more evenly to resolve costly, premature edge tire wear. Excess edge load can also lead to higher impact, ruptured side walls and rim damage.
We saw the need to therefore re instate from the 90's once again full adjustment.
To cater for other then "showroom height" conditions. - Day to day commuting encountering high cambered roads, wheel squat through load carrying or lowering, fitting wide profile tires along with having "ongoing adjustment" capability for curb knock damage.
C253/X GLC incl. AMG FRONT CAMBER Adjustment Kit * #503416-1i $345 (Less cost then one hi performance tire). #503416K $480 (Camber and also Caster adjustable)
Replacing lower arm inner bushes (retaining clearance top of tire to outer fender). *Fit without need for arm removal. Precise single wrench adjustment - accurately (under load - direct on alignment rack).
AUDI to VOLVO. Experience of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings Since 1964!
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
