2009 C300 wheel alignment problem
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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2009 C300 4Matic Sport...2012 C350 4Matic
2009 C300 wheel alignment problem
Hello, my new 09 C300 wheel alignment was out of spec when I took delivery. It went back to the dealer yesterday. After they re-aligned it and adjusted the toes, the condition improved but not eliminated. The MB service guy told me that it was caused by the wider tires (my 2006 C280 has zero alignment after 3 years of driving) and the crown of the road. But I don't buy his argument because on perfectly flat pavement, the car will still pull to the right. Anyway, I want to hear what the experts says. I have also report my problem here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ew-c300-2.html
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
[QUOTE=woofwoofz;3448297].... on perfectly flat pavement, the car will still pull to the right. ...QUOTE]
You don't need to be an expert to say the answer you were given for the car pulling to the right is
Don't let them tell you that it's OK for a car to pull to either side on a flat road.
You don't need to be an expert to say the answer you were given for the car pulling to the right is
Don't let them tell you that it's OK for a car to pull to either side on a flat road.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Typically if it is aligned to the numbers and pulls right the caster can be adjusted.
Given you have moved tires left to right to confirm it isn't a tire issue.
If the caster has a range of 1 - 3 and is set on 2 you will be on the numbers and the cross caster will be 0. However you might need a different cross caster. You will need the right wheel to lead the caster by possibly 1 degree. This would mean you might need a caster of L 2 R3 and a cross caster of 1 to make it drive straight. This will not cause tire wear if the toe in and camber are set correctly.
The problem today is too many shops set to the numbers and don't fully understand the impact of cross caster.
If you can't adjust caster enough to correct there might be a MB part you need to purchase. I don't know about your model but my E500 has optional caster adjustment bolts installed to allow this adjustment. I paid about $35.00 each for 2 to make this adjustment on our E500.
But the car DOES NOT HAVE TO PULL if it is aligned correctly.
Given you have moved tires left to right to confirm it isn't a tire issue.
If the caster has a range of 1 - 3 and is set on 2 you will be on the numbers and the cross caster will be 0. However you might need a different cross caster. You will need the right wheel to lead the caster by possibly 1 degree. This would mean you might need a caster of L 2 R3 and a cross caster of 1 to make it drive straight. This will not cause tire wear if the toe in and camber are set correctly.
The problem today is too many shops set to the numbers and don't fully understand the impact of cross caster.
If you can't adjust caster enough to correct there might be a MB part you need to purchase. I don't know about your model but my E500 has optional caster adjustment bolts installed to allow this adjustment. I paid about $35.00 each for 2 to make this adjustment on our E500.
But the car DOES NOT HAVE TO PULL if it is aligned correctly.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 55
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2009 C300 4Matic Sport...2012 C350 4Matic
I took the car to a different dealership and got the service manager involved. He told me that caster should not be changed on the W204 unless it was involved in an accident. Instead, he adjusting the steering. The car now pointing straight.
Thanks for all your suggestions
Thanks for all your suggestions
