Alignment
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 262
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
Alignment
Car would move slightly right when driving and has for a while. Decided to get alignment at Mercedes dealership in Albuquerque and could swear they did nothing....still the same.
I don't think it's the crown in the road and the steering wheel still isn't perfectly straight. It's off just a touch.
Looking like I'll replace the tires to see if that helps as they are close to needing to be replaced and I'll adjust it afterwards myself.
I don't think it's the crown in the road and the steering wheel still isn't perfectly straight. It's off just a touch.
Looking like I'll replace the tires to see if that helps as they are close to needing to be replaced and I'll adjust it afterwards myself.
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Joined: Jun 2025
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From: USA
If the alignment didn’t fix the pull, check tire pressure first uneven wear or pressure can cause drifting. If tires are old and worn, replacing them might help, but if the issue persists, it could be a suspension or steering component like a worn control arm or tie rod. A second opinion from a trusted shop might be worth it before adjusting it yourself.
Thread Starter
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
Will take it to a trusted shop as well. I thought Mercedes would provide a before and after comparison but they didn't.
Easy enough to straighten the steering wheel and hopefully new tires will help.
It's not bad but it's also not perfect.
Easy enough to straighten the steering wheel and hopefully new tires will help.
It's not bad but it's also not perfect.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
OP a tire pull can make an alignment seem done wrong. That said; They should have presented you with a printout of measurements before and after adjustment. The alignment machine will have saved it as the techs get to plug in the VIN and often a work order number. I want to know what all the measurements were before and after. I know what I'm looking at. Too many techs and service advisors have no idea what the significance of the different angles are.
How many miles on your car? Mine got lower arms (the pair that support weight of the car) at 90,000 miles (worn out balljoints) and upper control arms at 120,000 or so. upper arms had noisy control arm bushings... no slop in suspension.
As far as I'm concerned if the tech didn't provide the printout of measurements that work didn't get done. Service advisor should agree.
How many miles on your car? Mine got lower arms (the pair that support weight of the car) at 90,000 miles (worn out balljoints) and upper control arms at 120,000 or so. upper arms had noisy control arm bushings... no slop in suspension.
As far as I'm concerned if the tech didn't provide the printout of measurements that work didn't get done. Service advisor should agree.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Did they adjust the steering angle sensor? If alignment was off more than a touch, this is a step that is supposed to be done. That adjustment alone takes more than an hour.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
I don't know. The top point of the emblem in the center of the steering wheel points at the 58 second mark on a clock when driving straight so it's not terrible, but it's not perfect either.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
The procedure at our dealership is the tech is to leave the alignment data sheet on the front passenger seat. It is better to do the alignment with the new tires on the car if the tires are being replaced. I have been buying my tires from the dealer so the alignment is always done at that time. Usually get a discount on the alignment then.
In the interim if the pulling right is bothersome, do what we used to call a poor man's alignment. Put about 3psi extra in the right front tire, it can be surprisingly effective if the issue is just misalignment.
In the interim if the pulling right is bothersome, do what we used to call a poor man's alignment. Put about 3psi extra in the right front tire, it can be surprisingly effective if the issue is just misalignment.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
I will be getting new tires soon and will keep that in mind. Hopefully it helps but if it doesn't, I'll take it to a local here that has a great reputation. At the very least, I'll adjust the steering wheel myself.
I spoke with the service advisor this morning about my disappointment and he offered a free tank of gas....
I spoke with the service advisor this morning about my disappointment and he offered a free tank of gas....
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
But the reality - (the often quoted reassuring) “Will carry out a Full Front & Rear ‘4’ Wheel alignment” is nothing more than adjusting basic Toe (directional) adjustment. Even performance AMG models. New Car Industry’s Best Kept Secret !
Front Camber and Caster along with Rear Camber (adjusting tire contact angles) has been deleted. All to do with cost cutting and ever increasing speed of “new car assembly lines”. Stopping to adjust Camber & Caster is no longer an option.
Now one fixed setting - to suit showroom height conditions.
The onus now put back on owners to fund costly premature tire replacement !
Yet ongoing adjustment capability is essential - Day to day commuting encountering high cambered roads with excess passenger side edge wear. Altered height or extra loads and excess inner edge wear both sides. Spirited driving and excess outer edge wear. No adjustment to counter curb knock damage. Along with no Caster adjustment to resolve steering pull, improve directional control or compensate for Camber change.
WE SAW THE NEED THEREFORE - to reinstate Front and Rear adjustment. Specially designed “BOLT-ON” kits - requiring no special tools or time consuming need for control arm removal to install (K-MAC we have the experience of specializing in resolving OEM suspension shortcomings now for over 60 years).
Unique patented design allows easily accessible precise single wrench adjustment. Ultimate - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD.
SEE SPOILER
AUDI to VOLVO - K-MAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and Costs) Since 1964 !
Front Camber and Caster along with Rear Camber (adjusting tire contact angles) has been deleted. All to do with cost cutting and ever increasing speed of “new car assembly lines”. Stopping to adjust Camber & Caster is no longer an option.
Now one fixed setting - to suit showroom height conditions.
The onus now put back on owners to fund costly premature tire replacement !
Yet ongoing adjustment capability is essential - Day to day commuting encountering high cambered roads with excess passenger side edge wear. Altered height or extra loads and excess inner edge wear both sides. Spirited driving and excess outer edge wear. No adjustment to counter curb knock damage. Along with no Caster adjustment to resolve steering pull, improve directional control or compensate for Camber change.
WE SAW THE NEED THEREFORE - to reinstate Front and Rear adjustment. Specially designed “BOLT-ON” kits - requiring no special tools or time consuming need for control arm removal to install (K-MAC we have the experience of specializing in resolving OEM suspension shortcomings now for over 60 years).
Unique patented design allows easily accessible precise single wrench adjustment. Ultimate - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD.
SEE SPOILER
Spoiler
AUDI to VOLVO - K-MAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and Costs) Since 1964 !
Last edited by K-Mac; Aug 14, 2025 at 04:31 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 477
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2016 S550
Make the dealer do it again. This is exactly what happened to mine at Mercedes of Sacramento.
Took it in with steering wheel very slightly turned to right, car drifts to right. They had it the whole day, said they were busy. Next day when I picked it up, it was as if they didn’t do anything. The next day I took it back and complained that the steering wheel was still crooked right. They then aligned it and all was good. So, I would make them do it again. The very least they can do is get the steering wheel straight.
Took it in with steering wheel very slightly turned to right, car drifts to right. They had it the whole day, said they were busy. Next day when I picked it up, it was as if they didn’t do anything. The next day I took it back and complained that the steering wheel was still crooked right. They then aligned it and all was good. So, I would make them do it again. The very least they can do is get the steering wheel straight.
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S600
I took a look at the alignment numbers, and
a) they did adjust things
b) if you are still having issues then it is NOT the suspension "alignment" that is at fault.
Things that could contribute::
a) Doing the alignment without drivers weight in drivers seat during the procedure
b) worn suspension component
c) incorrect corner weights
d) incorrect cross axis weighting
My 2015 S600 is giving tire wear as if the corner weights are incorrect. I have my race car (Ferrari) shop researching how to properly corner weight the S-600 once it needs new tires. This will entail some aftermarket suspension parts, and about $1000 of time on the scales, and cutting of shims to get the CW correct.
a) they did adjust things
b) if you are still having issues then it is NOT the suspension "alignment" that is at fault.
Things that could contribute::
a) Doing the alignment without drivers weight in drivers seat during the procedure
b) worn suspension component
c) incorrect corner weights
d) incorrect cross axis weighting
My 2015 S600 is giving tire wear as if the corner weights are incorrect. I have my race car (Ferrari) shop researching how to properly corner weight the S-600 once it needs new tires. This will entail some aftermarket suspension parts, and about $1000 of time on the scales, and cutting of shims to get the CW correct.
