Alignment question
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 4
From: So Cal
2000 S430, 1999 E 320, 2 K5 blazers,
Alignment question
Hey everyone,
I have a question regarding my alignment. I just bought new tires about 2 months ago and the inside of my front passenger side tire is wearing out bad. But my car drives straight as can be.
Is this a alignment problem or something else?
I have a question regarding my alignment. I just bought new tires about 2 months ago and the inside of my front passenger side tire is wearing out bad. But my car drives straight as can be.
Is this a alignment problem or something else?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 4
From: So Cal
2000 S430, 1999 E 320, 2 K5 blazers,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Negative camber just means your wheel is tucked in at the bottom more than it should be. Camber is one of the alignment specifications.
That diagnosis is based on your symptom. It may be right or not (only an alignment readout will tell). But whether that's the parameter that's off (or perhaps one of several), there's no way to tell whether your front-end geometry is out of whack because of a misadjustment, a bent part or parts, a worn part or parts, an Airmatic problem or something else, without having a competent shop measure it and inspect.
The only thing you can know for sure now is that you have a front end problem.
That diagnosis is based on your symptom. It may be right or not (only an alignment readout will tell). But whether that's the parameter that's off (or perhaps one of several), there's no way to tell whether your front-end geometry is out of whack because of a misadjustment, a bent part or parts, a worn part or parts, an Airmatic problem or something else, without having a competent shop measure it and inspect.
The only thing you can know for sure now is that you have a front end problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
The dealer can usually determine if something is wrong or broken, or if your car is simply lowered, they can provide camber bolts to help the issue, but not entirely fix it.
Speaking of which, I could really use some camber bolts because my S is slammed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
BTW, alignment must be done with the Airmatic at a specified height. This requires the Mercedes diagnostic computer system. It's the reason that most independent shops can't get the alignment right on these cars. Never let anyone other than a competent MB dealer do alignement or suspension work on a W220 unless you're sure they truly specialize in Airmatic.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
BTW, alignment must be done with the Airmatic at a specified height. This requires the Mercedes diagnostic computer system. It's the reason that most independent shops can't get the alignment right on these cars. Never let anyone other than a competent MB dealer do alignement or suspension work on a W220 unless you're sure they truly specialize in Airmatic.
Oh well, a waste of $69.95.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 1
From: OC
AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats
You could have some bent wheels in the front. Take them off and have them checked. I had the same problem with some AMG 19's I had about 4 years ago.. I was wearing on the the front inside really quick and thought, out of line ? but found out later that the front wheels were very badly bent.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 4
From: So Cal
2000 S430, 1999 E 320, 2 K5 blazers,
You could have some bent wheels in the front. Take them off and have them checked. I had the same problem with some AMG 19's I had about 4 years ago.. I was wearing on the the front inside really quick and thought, out of line ? but found out later that the front wheels were very badly bent.
By the way since you car is lowered how much did they charge you for a alingment?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
If you like the height, leave it. It's not gonna change anything if they find the washers (you have to pay for the alignment service anyways right?). Everytime you change the ride height, camber changes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 4
From: So Cal
2000 S430, 1999 E 320, 2 K5 blazers,
well i got the call and sure enough my bill is at 1900. they said i need motor mounts, and a control arm bushing. These people are like the mafia you can never win with them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
Tell them no. and get a second opinion. Motor mounts are not that expensive and have nothing to do with tire wear at ALL. Control bushing are not that expensive either. a couple hundred for the 4 wheel alignment, and a few hundred for parts and the rest of this Raping is inflated labor!! Sorry you have a sick dealer there...
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
W220
I had the alignment done today at the dealership and when I came home, I've tried to use the level meter just to check if it is straight but it is not, if I hold the level meter straight , the top part is about 3/4" away from wheel . is that normal ? can any one check it on their cars ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
I had the alignment done today at the dealership and when I came home, I've tried to use the level meter just to check if it is straight but it is not, if I hold the level meter straight , the top part is about 3/4" away from wheel . is that normal ? can any one check it on their cars ?
Actually the camber is always negative on the S class per spec.. I don;t know why that is, but there is an actual measurement that put's it within specs.. I've seen the chart but I can't remember the range for camber.
Simply using a straight level won't cut it though... Are you having pulling issues? is your car lowered?
There is however a physical trick for toe that I've found but that's another thread...
I do know there is a substantial change in camber when the car lowers itself 3/4 inch after 80 mph.. So depending on how you drive, you can wear your tires to the inside and it will look like theres an alignment issue and its really not. But since the car constantly goes up and down, wear will depend on your driving style.
