Pulling to the right!! HELP!!
02-08-2005, 05:05 PM
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Pulling to the right!! HELP!!
My '84 500SEL started pulling to the right a few days ago and the steering seems a bit vague (loose). I have to keep the steering wheel cranked to the left about 2" from the usual center position to keep the car travelling straight. I checked the air pressure in all tires and pumped them up to spec and I also crawled underneath the car while my girlfriend was wiggling the steering wheel back and forth to see if it might be a loose/worn balljoint or a loose or bent tie-rod end but no luck. I detect no play in any of the ball joints. Also I haven't hit any pothole or curb or anything that could possibly bend a tie rod and indeed all the tie rods are straight so I'm all out of ideas. Any thoughts as to what it might be?
02-10-2005, 08:07 AM
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1989 560SEL, 1999 S600, 2005 S600, 2008 S550 4Matic
My 500SEL is also like that... but only at speeds exceeding 60mph. I know it needs an alignment though. Are your tires showing any unusual wear?
02-10-2005, 08:37 PM
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My car does the pulling at all speeds, although at a crawl it is less noticeable. I thought my front tires were pretty good but on my way to work I drove past an import garage and the mechanic there is a pretty easy-going guy and told him what was happening. He came and had a quick look at the car and did notice that the outside corner of my driver's side tire was somewhat worn, while the passenger side tire was perfect. So he definitely thinks an alignment is in order. He also suggested that since my balljoints are nice and tight, my steering box might need some adjustment since I told him that the steering feels a little loose with less road feel than before.
What gets me though is that the pulling happened overnight. I had the car parked for about 2 weeks and then when I resumed driving it I noticed the pulling. I just don't get it.
What gets me though is that the pulling happened overnight. I had the car parked for about 2 weeks and then when I resumed driving it I noticed the pulling. I just don't get it.
02-11-2005, 02:03 AM
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1989 560SEL, 1999 S600, 2005 S600, 2008 S550 4Matic
Yeah things like that happen sometimes in mysterious ways. While not directly related, I went through a similarly strange experience today. Yesterday I finished using my laptop as I always do, closed it and left it on my work desk and went to bed. Woke up this morning and started it, but the screen just wouldn't show anything. I took it to the place from which I purchased it and their technicians looked at it and said the screen just died. Just like that!! It was replaced under warranty right away but I was shocked because I finished using the laptop last night, shut it down properly with no problems, then a few hours later I'm told it died? 
When exactly did the death occur? Oh well.
I was suspecting you'd need an alignment as well, that was why I asked you about the condition of the tires, as that would determine if you need an alignment or not.
When exactly did the death occur? Oh well.I was suspecting you'd need an alignment as well, that was why I asked you about the condition of the tires, as that would determine if you need an alignment or not.
