Wheel Alignment
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2008 S550 AMG
Wheel Alignment
My 08 S550 4matic seems to be pulling to the right. I've always had good luck using the local Firestone service center for alignment/tire issues with my wife's Denali. Anything special about the S that I should only have the dealership perform the alignment or should I be OK taking it down the road to Firestone?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 24
From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
My 08 S550 4matic seems to be pulling to the right. I've always had good luck using the local Firestone service center for alignment/tire issues with my wife's Denali. Anything special about the S that I should only have the dealership perform the alignment or should I be OK taking it down the road to Firestone?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 24
From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
All f'stone r not the same. Make sure they have somebody good who can wk on the car. Their lifetime align is under 150 only. Good luck
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Hebron, KY
mercedes
biggest difference between firestone and the mb dealership is that the dealership has all the tools required to measure ride height. firestone has no way to measure this. also if a bolt kit is required to adjust the front camber or caster, firestone has to order it--mb dealer has it in stock.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 24
From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
biggest difference between firestone and the mb dealership is that the dealership has all the tools required to measure ride height. firestone has no way to measure this. also if a bolt kit is required to adjust the front camber or caster, firestone has to order it--mb dealer has it in stock.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 17
'08 CL600 with 152k km; '01 E430 4Matic with 433k km; '17 Porsche Cayenne with 130k km
When performing an alignment on the newer MB's, they often check for the spec height in addition to the traditional alignment. I asked why they do this and they explained that the air suspension could be a contributing factor to any potential alignment issues.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Hebron, KY
mercedes
its very hard to explain but the ride height has a huge effect on the alignment of all cars. hence the reason when someone lowers/lifts a car the alignment is thrown off drastically. so ride height has a huge role in the alignment of a vehicle.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Alignment Issues
My S550 has factory issued Continentals specifically for the vehicle. I had a strong pull to the right (politics aside). The alignment done shows things are straight. It still veered strongly. I suggested putting the right front wheel/tire on the left and vice-versa. Guess what? Teddy Kennedy lives. It pulls strongly to the left now.
I had a rear tire moved to the left front and put the "puller" on the rear and the car trails like a string. Advice--check to insure the tire hasn't had a belt shift or similar. Simple test. It may save some time, money and headache. Maybe not your solution, but satisfied my issue. Good luck.
I had a rear tire moved to the left front and put the "puller" on the rear and the car trails like a string. Advice--check to insure the tire hasn't had a belt shift or similar. Simple test. It may save some time, money and headache. Maybe not your solution, but satisfied my issue. Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 2
C350 Elegance
My family doctor is very good, however when I got my nose hit in an accident he sent me to an otolaryngology specialist. Why? The Specialist sees ten times more cases than he does, so he keeps more up to date.
The same with wheels and tires: the specialty shops (Firestone, Yokohama, Tire Rack, or Mom 'n Pop's) are so much the best that tires are not covered by the automobile warranty, but by the tire manufacturer's warranty. Now, the same difference that exists among car repair shops also are found among wheel and tire stores and service. So select carefully, by equipment, cleanliness, personnel, and references, to determine who is more convenient for your balancing and alignment needs. And if they further specialize in axle and suspension service, so much the better.
Balancing should be done in a machine that does static balancing and dynamic balancing (simulating the car in motion at different speeds and road conditions).
Alignment should be done with the tires pressurized to standard speed and road conditions expected in coming use, and the gas tank full. All considerations will follow manufacturer's specifications, unless corrections are requested by the customer beforehand.
The same with wheels and tires: the specialty shops (Firestone, Yokohama, Tire Rack, or Mom 'n Pop's) are so much the best that tires are not covered by the automobile warranty, but by the tire manufacturer's warranty. Now, the same difference that exists among car repair shops also are found among wheel and tire stores and service. So select carefully, by equipment, cleanliness, personnel, and references, to determine who is more convenient for your balancing and alignment needs. And if they further specialize in axle and suspension service, so much the better.
Balancing should be done in a machine that does static balancing and dynamic balancing (simulating the car in motion at different speeds and road conditions).
Alignment should be done with the tires pressurized to standard speed and road conditions expected in coming use, and the gas tank full. All considerations will follow manufacturer's specifications, unless corrections are requested by the customer beforehand.
