misaligned steering wheel
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,093
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
misaligned steering wheel
We got a 2010 ML350 back in November, and ever since new I've noticed while going straight, the steering wheel is always slightly turned to the left...has anyone else noticed that??
The WEIRD thing is..we also have a 2010 E350 and a 2008 C300, and BOTH of these also came from the factory with mis-aligned (to the left) steering wheels... I feel like Mercedes should NOT be coming from the factory like this. All three of these cars were built at different plants as well.
The WEIRD thing is..we also have a 2010 E350 and a 2008 C300, and BOTH of these also came from the factory with mis-aligned (to the left) steering wheels... I feel like Mercedes should NOT be coming from the factory like this. All three of these cars were built at different plants as well.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
We got a 2010 ML350 back in November, and ever since new I've noticed while going straight, the steering wheel is always slightly turned to the left...has anyone else noticed that??
The WEIRD thing is..we also have a 2010 E350 and a 2008 C300, and BOTH of these also came from the factory with mis-aligned (to the left) steering wheels... I feel like Mercedes should NOT be coming from the factory like this. All three of these cars were built at different plants as well.
The WEIRD thing is..we also have a 2010 E350 and a 2008 C300, and BOTH of these also came from the factory with mis-aligned (to the left) steering wheels... I feel like Mercedes should NOT be coming from the factory like this. All three of these cars were built at different plants as well.
If this makes the wheel offset to the right, you will need to have the dealer do an alignment.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
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From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
That new I would have it repaired under warranty.
Are you sure its not the road crown or drainage slope that you are compensating for?
I visited the factory and the technicians and laser robots spend a lot of time inspecting these vehicles during assembly. Hard to imagine them missing that. Not saying its not possible, but this factory even uses lasers to measure the thickness of the silicone adhesive applied to the windshield...
Are you sure its not the road crown or drainage slope that you are compensating for?
I visited the factory and the technicians and laser robots spend a lot of time inspecting these vehicles during assembly. Hard to imagine them missing that. Not saying its not possible, but this factory even uses lasers to measure the thickness of the silicone adhesive applied to the windshield...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Nut holding steering wheel on is assembled with thread lock compound for obvious reasons. Loosening it is usually a big job maybe requiring heating it with a torch. Also the number of splines on the column is low so shifting the steering wheel one spline makes a big difference in the steering wheel position. Correct way to get it centered is to get an alignment and tell dealer it is not centered.
A more plausible explanation is that most roadways are crowned to shed water. With a perfectly aligned car and properly inflated tires it may be necessary to steer slightly to the left to compensate for the car wanting to drift to the right. This results in the steering wheel being slightly off center.
Good luck.
A more plausible explanation is that most roadways are crowned to shed water. With a perfectly aligned car and properly inflated tires it may be necessary to steer slightly to the left to compensate for the car wanting to drift to the right. This results in the steering wheel being slightly off center.
Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
Nut holding steering wheel on is assembled with thread lock compound for obvious reasons. Loosening it is usually a big job maybe requiring heating it with a torch. Also the number of splines on the column is low so shifting the steering wheel one spline makes a big difference in the steering wheel position. Correct way to get it centered is to get an alignment and tell dealer it is not centered.
A more plausible explanation is that most roadways are crowned to shed water. With a perfectly aligned car and properly inflated tires it may be necessary to steer slightly to the left to compensate for the car wanting to drift to the right. This results in the steering wheel being slightly off center.
Good luck.
A more plausible explanation is that most roadways are crowned to shed water. With a perfectly aligned car and properly inflated tires it may be necessary to steer slightly to the left to compensate for the car wanting to drift to the right. This results in the steering wheel being slightly off center.
Good luck.
I don't argue that the problem could well be an alignment, although the OP didn't complain of pulling to one side which is typically what happens with mis-alignment, but for the sake of a simple five-minute procedure, it seems to me worth trying my fix before going to all the trouble of taking the vehicle in, leaving it, picking it up, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: the ML/GL/R assembly line
2005 C230 Kompressor
Just take it back to the dealer to check the alignment. Shouldnt take the wheel off and move it. If you have had the airbag off and the bolt out of the steering wheel you will see two notches in the steering shaft that the wheel slips onto. They are there for proper alignment of the shaft and wheel. Also, if its moved it can damage the column. The toe settings on the alignment can me adjusted to straighten the steering the wheel. Steering wheel installation is one of my jobs on the assembly line and I am also ASE certified in suspension and steering.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 73
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R350
We got a 2010 ML350 back in November, and ever since new I've noticed while going straight, the steering wheel is always slightly turned to the left...has anyone else noticed that??
The WEIRD thing is..we also have a 2010 E350 and a 2008 C300, and BOTH of these also came from the factory with mis-aligned (to the left) steering wheels... I feel like Mercedes should NOT be coming from the factory like this. All three of these cars were built at different plants as well.
The WEIRD thing is..we also have a 2010 E350 and a 2008 C300, and BOTH of these also came from the factory with mis-aligned (to the left) steering wheels... I feel like Mercedes should NOT be coming from the factory like this. All three of these cars were built at different plants as well.
I may also tire pull problem. My 99 Lexus RX300 has tire pull problem and got replaced under warranty. My 06 R350 CPO also developed tire pull after tire rotation. Too bad, it's too long for them to admit it's tire pull. I had to spend $$ for alignment, but finally got fixed just by switch tires from left to right.
2010, correcting, difficulty, fixing, holds, jetta, mercedes, misaligned, missaligned, nut, position, removing, steering, vw, wheel, wheels
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