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Hey guys,
When I got the car last year, it had brand new tires. 6-8 Months down the line, the rear tires outside wall was GONE.. flat. and the back side was brand new... So I went and bought 2 new tires for the back, and paid 180 dollars for life-time alignment plan at Big 10 Tire. They said they aligned it, showed me the before, and after on the computer and that its within range after alignment... 6 months down the line, I noticed the tires outside wall wearing out very quickly.. So I took it back for another alignment and they did it again, this time is was barely off.. didnt make sense. 2 months later ( Now ) The tires are ****ed, worn out from one side, I took it back again, the guy told me its aligned.. and it might be the rear struts..????? I looked at the struts, they look just fine.. WTF should I do? Take it to dealer? I dont want to pay 100 dollars just for them to tell me I need new tires again before they even align it.. Could the shop have done it wrong? Is there a problem with ML's in regards to rear tire wear? anything I can do on my own?
Any input would be great.
Thanks
W163 ML500 w/Kleeman headers (gone but not forgotten); R63
Originally Posted by EMR2004
Hey guys,
When I got the car last year, it had brand new tires. 6-8 Months down the line, the rear tires outside wall was GONE.. flat. and the back side was brand new... So I went and bought 2 new tires for the back, and paid 180 dollars for life-time alignment plan at Big 10 Tire. They said they aligned it, showed me the before, and after on the computer and that its within range after alignment... 6 months down the line, I noticed the tires outside wall wearing out very quickly.. So I took it back for another alignment and they did it again, this time is was barely off.. didnt make sense. 2 months later ( Now ) The tires are ****ed, worn out from one side, I took it back again, the guy told me its aligned.. and it might be the rear struts..????? I looked at the struts, they look just fine.. WTF should I do? Take it to dealer? I dont want to pay 100 dollars just for them to tell me I need new tires again before they even align it.. Could the shop have done it wrong? Is there a problem with ML's in regards to rear tire wear? anything I can do on my own?
Any input would be great.
Thanks
How about posting the alignment specs? I would guess a search should reveal the proper specs and then you can compare.
Outside tire wear is usually too much camber, or too much toe in. Rear tires should have almost no toe in, not sure what the camber spec is, I will take a SWAG and say around -.3 to -.5 degrees. But you need the correct specs and then have a good alignment shop do it.
Even with a "lifetime" alignment, it might pay to invest $100 and take it to a specialty shop and see what they say. They will also give you a before and after spec as long as you ask for it before they start.
Took mine to Firestone for alingment. They didn't have the software to do the job. MB won't release it, I was told. Asked a friend who owns a Sunoco service station. He can do the alignment, however alignment rack uses aftermarket software. It does not have the wheel tracking crap that OE MB has in it's alingment system. But aftermarket does a good enough job. Ended up going to MB Dealer.... $99.00 for alingment. It doesn't seem any different than before. Probably didn't need alignment. The problem you have doesn't sound normal. Are both rear tires showing same wear? Maybe a bent rim? I'd take it to MB for alignment, see waht they say.
Alignment should be done at a dealers. They have all the required specs and the correct equipment. Any aftermarket shop is questionable and usually does not have good results.
My sidewalls are fine but the rear tires, both treads are almost bald. I had all 4 tires replaced maybe 20,000 miles ago at the same time. Front tire tread is totally fine, only the rears are worn. And the worn part is toward the outside. the inside tread is fine
Does the AWD system favor the rear tires? To be fair I never rotate so that could be the issue but wondering if an alignment could help
Last edited by wonderbrah; 04-23-2021 at 05:32 AM.
My sidewalls are fine but the rear tires, both treads are almost bald. I had all 4 tires replaced maybe 20,000 miles ago at the same time. Front tire tread is totally fine, only the rears are worn. And the worn part is toward the outside. the inside tread is fine
Does the AWD system favor the rear tires? To be fair I never rotate so that could be the issue but wondering if an alignment could help
In the W163 power is delivered to ALL four wheels at ALL times, with the option to activate a lower ratio gearing known as 'low range' (button on the dash)
Full-time with a 48/52 F/R split.
Your side walls (if they are worn or have road rash) have no bearing on your treads.
If your rears are worn bald or whatever, that's due to your own lack of basic minimal maintenance, tire inflation, rotation, driving habits, monitoring.
If they are worn on the outside more than the inside, could be suspension issues and alignment too.
In the W163 power is delivered to ALL four wheels at ALL times, with the option to activate a lower ratio gearing known as 'low range' (button on the dash)
Full-time with a 48/52 F/R split.
Your side walls (if they are worn or have road rash) have no bearing on your treads.
If your rears are worn bald or whatever, that's due to your own lack of basic minimal maintenance, tire inflation, rotation, driving habits, monitoring.
If they are worn on the outside more than the inside, could be suspension issues and alignment too.
Okay, so an alignment might help. I do go offroading at the beach and am frequently airing down my tires and airing up. I aim for 32 psi on all 4 tires for driving but sometimes go a little over to 33 or 34. When I get new tires I will start doing rotations every 2000 miles.
For the W163 (in fact all SUV’s) we manufacture both front and rear kits that double the existing adjustment range of Camber to resolve costly, premature edge tire wear (full / ongoing adjustment for less then the cost of one high performance tire).
“Precise single wrench adjustable” (accurately under load - direct on alignment rack).
Kits also simply replace at the same time the front and rear highest wearing bushes. Can be fitted without the need for arm removal.
W163 Front kit #503916G $295
Rear kit #503926i $345
(Rear is Camber and also extra Toe).
Delivery worldwide $40 one kit $60 Front & Rear.
KMAC the experience of resolving OEM suspension shortcomings since 1964 !
03-03-2011, 08:48 AM
I looked at the struts, they look just fine.. WTF should I do? Take it to dealer? I dont want to pay 100 dollars just for them to tell me I need new tires again before they even align it.. Could the shop have done it wrong? Is there a problem with ML's in regards to rear tire wear? anything I can do on my own? 
