Guys, I changed front struts a month ago, 08 4 matic.
Do I need an alignment after that? The shop said there is no need.
I feel like the steering wheel is off center 1-2 degrees when going straight. Its such a minor detail that Im not sure if it was there before or not.
Car tracks straight. No issues there.

Im just wondering, if they removed the upper control arms to get the struts out and if there is a need for alignment after that.

Thanks

 

Always good habit to! However, whoever you take it to needs to calibrate the air suspension first, with the Romess calibration tool. Not many shops have it due to high cost, but our shop recently acquired one and we were able to get an S550 into perfect spec due to the calibration, where it was struggling prior.

 

Thank you. Calibration was done and I mentioned it to him and he was on board with it.

Im just wondering if any of the suspension parts were removed to change front struts on a 4 matic car. Shop said that even if they remove upper control arms, the mounting bolts are not eccentric anyhow and wouldn't affect the alignment which was done only 7 k miles ago at the same shop when I did the front control arms.
This is a MB indy shop.

I just cant remember if the steering wheel was lightly off before.

I have to be honest. Half the time the steering wheel is straight, but other times I have to hold it slightly to the right to go straight especially in a left lane where there road is a bit tilted.


I have an appointment at the MB dealer for alignment in 2 weeks. Figured $200 should cover alignment and it will be done properly if something is off.

 

if you undo anything on the suspension arms - then there is enough slop in the mounting points that it will change - as mentioned the correct method is to always do alignment
another reason, the way modern cars are with some many links and bushings (let alone the mess roads are in), 6 months wear and tear will create a new set up

 

Changing the strut requires taking the upper wish-bone control arm loose at the ball joint. This is the only part that has to do anything with the alignment other than the car level. When this ball joint connection is put back together it goes in exactly the same way as it was before taking it loose so there is no need for alignment.

But, if doing this job they somehow mess up with the level sensor it could make the car level from side-to-side different and this will effect the alignment or how the car tracks.

If no harm is done to the level sensors there is no need for calibrating the level either. Level comes from the sensors and if nothing changed with them then there is no change in car level, i.e. no need for calibration.

 

Just thought I’d share, this is only true on RWD W221,w216 models...4matic models don’t need to separate upper control arm from steering knuckle.

 

Thanks.

So on my 4 matic then nothing was changed alignment wise.

I think Ill have it done anyhow because the wheels slightly off sometimes bothers me. And I need an oil change anyhow.

 

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