jt-hifi

Hi Folks,

MB dealers refused to do alignment for my 2010 S550 4Matic as their easy clamps don't fit on my brand new Vossen staggered wheels (Front: 9x20x255 +32mm offset and Rear: 10.5x20x285 +42mm offset, deviating from my stock square 8.5x18x255 +43mm offset while keeping very close to original overall diameter dimension. New tires are all Michelin Pilot Sport 3+ tires).

Another reason for the alignment is my recent replacement of the front left tie rod (with the Lemforder one).

So, I took it to Sears today and they completed the alignment using the Hunter machine. Attached is the results. The car drives fine and the steering is pointing straight, though it slowly drifts to the left on left most lane on highway, and drifts slowly to the right on mostly middle and right lanes. I'm hoping this is normal as the wheels are tracking to the road crown. I do notice a very slight steering vibration at around 65 mph, not sure if this is due to the tires needing the precise Roadforce balancing vs the wheel alignment precision.

Notice the front left toe was adjusted from -0.07° to +0.09° as expected from my tie rod replacement. But, the front right toe was also adjusted +0.23° to +0.16°. I asked the tech why the front left and right don't have the same exact toe-in value. He explained that both need to work in unison to achieve the balance even though their tie rods are adjusted independently. The reason seems to make sense but I wanted to get the second opinion from the forum. I suppose the same reason applies to why the left and right camber and caster values are not exactly the same as well.

The specs from my STAR Diagnostics WIS for front toe is 0°14' (±0.6'). I interpret it as +0.14° within +0.08° and +0.20° range. If my interpretation is correct, the Sears adjustment is within specs with FL: +0.09° and FR: +0.16°. I'm also assuming my staggered wheels deviating from stock don't need spec compensations.

I just noticed the Turning Angle Diff. is left blank. Why is that?

I would appreciate a look see of the results and let me know what you think. This may help our fellow forum members if Sears alignment is a good alternative now that they have the Hunter machines that are compatible with MB vehicles.

Thanks,
John

Plutoe

NO---it means toe =13.4' to 14.6'

alx

your right front toe needs a bit of work. the rest varies from spot on to acceptable.

but since the car is good on the road (what you describe is good) i wouldnt bother. leave it as it is.

your tire vibration around 60 is a tire balance issue or you have a bent rim, or two, or three. most aftermarket large diameter rims bend very quickly and easily and they dont necessary show visually. find a place with a hunter dsp roadforce balancer and have them balance all fours. it will show if a wheel is bent too (it will show as "too much road force")

bmwcrocop

How much was the alignment?

jt-hifi

Thanks Alx. I get unlimited alignments with the Sears lifetime plan ($189+tax), so I don't mind getting it tweaked. What would be the spot on value for the FR toe, 0.09° to 0.12°? If I ask them to adjust to say 0.09° on the right, will the FL toe value change?

I'll find a local Roadforce provider to get the wheels checked. Bummer, those wheels were installed this past summer, we drove it probably less than a dozen times and didn't notice hitting big potholes. Hopefully, the bend is minor. Any advice on unbending those alloy wheels?

Unrelated to this thread, I have to say the Michelin PS3+ 285 tire & 10.5" wheel combo makes a big difference in handling corners and bends. I always felt the shimmy with stock Continental touring tires but the shimmy is gone now.

jt-hifi

Our threads crossed, it's $189 plus tax for unlimited alignments with no mileage restriction for as long as one owns the vehicle. They also have $89 for 6-month plan, $114 for 1-year.

steveb9771

Your interpretation is incorrect. 0°14' means 0 degrees and 14 minutes which is the same as 0 degrees + 14/60 degrees or 0.233 degrees ± 0.01 degrees.

Are you sure about the tolerance of ±0.6', this is extremely tight. If this is correct you front toe is completely out of tolerance since it should be between 0.223 and 0.243 degrees.