View Poll Results: Does your SL pull to the right?
Yes, done so since new, dealer tried to fix but couldn't
6
14.29%
Yes, it did, but dealer fixed it
0
0%
Yes, it does, but dealer says "nothing's wrong"
12
28.57%
No, it pulls a different way or not at all
24
57.14%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll
SL/R230: Does your SL pull to the right?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Ladera Ranch (i.e CaucAsia)
2005 SL600 Designo, Graphite Gray, Panorama Roof
Does your SL pull to the right?
Trying to compile data:
Does your SL pull to the right?
Simple test: on a flat road, let go of the steering wheel and see if your car drifts to one side. Brakes should not be applied during this test.
Be sure its safe to perform this test.
I've had my car to the dealer several times, each time the dealer says "vehicle drives as designed."
BS.
Does your SL pull to the right?
Simple test: on a flat road, let go of the steering wheel and see if your car drifts to one side. Brakes should not be applied during this test.
Be sure its safe to perform this test.
I've had my car to the dealer several times, each time the dealer says "vehicle drives as designed."
BS.
Last edited by craiglieberman; Feb 24, 2006 at 12:37 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
The crown of the road is such that my SL drifts to the right most of the time. The car does track straight in a flat parking lot. Perhaps the SL's steering components are too sensitive to real world road conditions. Or maybe it's the 255 size tires in front that is the problem? My Murcie has 245 size in front and it tracks straight on street roads.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: On a hill
2004 SL350
It's a safety feature - all Mercs do it, and all the 6 I have had did it. My service agent said it was a design point to allow the vehicle to drift off the road rather than across the center line if the steering wheel was 'unoccupied' for any reason.
Sounded weird to me, but it has been confirmed by several dealers since.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
Sounded weird to me, but it has been confirmed by several dealers since.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
SL55AMG, ML420CDI, E320TCDI
Originally Posted by Ken Silver
It's a safety feature - all Mercs do it, and all the 6 I have had did it. My service agent said it was a design point to allow the vehicle to drift off the road rather than across the center line if the steering wheel was 'unoccupied' for any reason.
Sounded weird to me, but it has been confirmed by several dealers since.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
Sounded weird to me, but it has been confirmed by several dealers since.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
We had that before, it a story, nothing but a convinient excuse not to do somthing about the problem. To my knowledge, MB does not allign the wheels for a Right pull. Find a dealer that is willing to show you a piece of paper, from MB USA or Germany, that proffes he ist right, or a wheel alignment scheme, that shows a different alignment for Left and Right, because that is what it takes to make the car pull.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: On a hill
2004 SL350
Originally Posted by SLcharger
Ken
We had that before, it a story, nothing but a convinient excuse not to do somthing about the problem....
We had that before, it a story, nothing but a convinient excuse not to do somthing about the problem....
Logically, why should this be specifically a MB 'problem'? Why have we not found this so-called fault in any other brand?
And playing the devil's advocate, if it is intentional, why on earth should this be a safety factor? Pulling to one side just makes driving more tiring.
I don't know. Perhaps this is one of those urban myths.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 12
From: South Florida
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S
Hi,
Just got a 2005 SL600 and it definately pulls to the right. The stering wheel is also a bit off center to the right. Very annoying. The same thing happened when I got my 2003 CL55. I brought it to the deal for an alignment and when it was done it felt the same. I insisted to speak with the alignment guy who actually was very nice and helpful. He took a ride with me and agreed that the wheel was a bit off center and the car pulled. I don't know what he did but when he was done my car drove as straight as an arrow. My stering wheel was perfect. I am going to do this with my SL600 but I am getting new rims soon so I'm waiting. I believe most of the right pull is due to the curvature of the street for drainage. I can actually tell that most streets are a but curved to the right (at least where I live) so the water goes into the sewer drains. I don't mind a slight pull due to the road but I hate that my stering wheel is off center. Drives me nuts.
Just got a 2005 SL600 and it definately pulls to the right. The stering wheel is also a bit off center to the right. Very annoying. The same thing happened when I got my 2003 CL55. I brought it to the deal for an alignment and when it was done it felt the same. I insisted to speak with the alignment guy who actually was very nice and helpful. He took a ride with me and agreed that the wheel was a bit off center and the car pulled. I don't know what he did but when he was done my car drove as straight as an arrow. My stering wheel was perfect. I am going to do this with my SL600 but I am getting new rims soon so I'm waiting. I believe most of the right pull is due to the curvature of the street for drainage. I can actually tell that most streets are a but curved to the right (at least where I live) so the water goes into the sewer drains. I don't mind a slight pull due to the road but I hate that my stering wheel is off center. Drives me nuts.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Ladera Ranch (i.e CaucAsia)
2005 SL600 Designo, Graphite Gray, Panorama Roof
All;
Here's an update:
There is a fix...MB needs to install a bolt in the right side suspension which alters the caster.
I can appreciate road crowning and the slight tendency to wander a bit to the right. But when your car changes lanes in less than 3-4 seconds, your car is pulling.
Get over your denial folks...try this in a Lexus and I can assure you that they do NOT pull right.
How is pulling to the right (and possibly into a ditch, a guard rail or a cliff) a safety feature?
Here's an update:
There is a fix...MB needs to install a bolt in the right side suspension which alters the caster.
I can appreciate road crowning and the slight tendency to wander a bit to the right. But when your car changes lanes in less than 3-4 seconds, your car is pulling.
Get over your denial folks...try this in a Lexus and I can assure you that they do NOT pull right.
How is pulling to the right (and possibly into a ditch, a guard rail or a cliff) a safety feature?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Exeter, CA USA
2002 BMW 745Li Black/beige, 2006 SL600 Capri Blue/Black still on order
No pulling here yet.
Originally Posted by craiglieberman
All;
Here's an update:
There is a fix...MB needs to install a bolt in the right side suspension which alters the caster.
I can appreciate road crowning and the slight tendency to wander a bit to the right. But when your car changes lanes in less than 3-4 seconds, your car is pulling.
Get over your denial folks...try this in a Lexus and I can assure you that they do NOT pull right.
How is pulling to the right (and possibly into a ditch, a guard rail or a cliff) a safety feature?
Here's an update:
There is a fix...MB needs to install a bolt in the right side suspension which alters the caster.
I can appreciate road crowning and the slight tendency to wander a bit to the right. But when your car changes lanes in less than 3-4 seconds, your car is pulling.
Get over your denial folks...try this in a Lexus and I can assure you that they do NOT pull right.
How is pulling to the right (and possibly into a ditch, a guard rail or a cliff) a safety feature?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by craiglieberman
All;
Here's an update:
There is a fix...MB needs to install a bolt in the right side suspension which alters the caster.
I can appreciate road crowning and the slight tendency to wander a bit to the right. But when your car changes lanes in less than 3-4 seconds, your car is pulling.
Get over your denial folks...try this in a Lexus and I can assure you that they do NOT pull right.
How is pulling to the right (and possibly into a ditch, a guard rail or a cliff) a safety feature?
Here's an update:
There is a fix...MB needs to install a bolt in the right side suspension which alters the caster.
I can appreciate road crowning and the slight tendency to wander a bit to the right. But when your car changes lanes in less than 3-4 seconds, your car is pulling.
Get over your denial folks...try this in a Lexus and I can assure you that they do NOT pull right.
How is pulling to the right (and possibly into a ditch, a guard rail or a cliff) a safety feature?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 15
From: Boston and SWFlorida
2025 GLC300 white, 2023 Taycan RWD black
Pulling to the right
My new SL pulls to the right when I break for a stop. I have had other MB's and none did this. It tracks straight on but at a stop it nearly pulls the wheel from my hands. Only 2000 miles on the car- glad others have experienced the same. I'll let you know what my dealer says about it.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Colorado Mountains & Hilton Head Island
2022 GLE450, 2024 RAM 1500 Limited, 2014 E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Wagon (sold), 2021 GLE63S AMG (sold)
My SL600 has pulled to the right since I got it a couple of weeks ago and I've been putting off calling the service advisor to discuss it. It's very annoying.
Since I now know about the bolt fix, I just put in a call to him. Thanks!
Since I now know about the bolt fix, I just put in a call to him. Thanks!
Last edited by AnotherSL; May 26, 2006 at 05:26 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 15
From: Boston and SWFlorida
2025 GLC300 white, 2023 Taycan RWD black
pulling to the right
Just got the SL back from dealer today. Unfortunately didn't have a chance to speak to the service advisor, but note on statement reads "Performed complete inspection, no problem found. Customer may be feeling the tires following the grooves in the pavement and the crown of the road."
I've got to follow up on this one...
I've got to follow up on this one...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Ladera Ranch (i.e CaucAsia)
2005 SL600 Designo, Graphite Gray, Panorama Roof
Originally Posted by boylston
Just got the SL back from dealer today. Unfortunately didn't have a chance to speak to the service advisor, but note on statement reads "Performed complete inspection, no problem found. Customer may be feeling the tires following the grooves in the pavement and the crown of the road."
I've got to follow up on this one...
I've got to follow up on this one...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
My CLK55 has pulled to the right since day 1. I was fed the same bull about the crown in the road. I just sucked it up because its kinda hard to fight a battle like that. It just ends up being a "its broken"......"no its not" kinda fight.
I think I've gotten used to the pulling now. I guess I've been conditioned!
I think I've gotten used to the pulling now. I guess I've been conditioned!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 3
From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
For those of you with this problem, how severe is the problem? I'm sure it adds stress to your drive having to keep correcting.
As for anyone telling you about a crown on the road, thats bull. I just rented a Ford Taurus for 2 weeks while my old car has its engine rebuilt, and it drives straight as an arrow all over SoCal.
As for anyone telling you about a crown on the road, thats bull. I just rented a Ford Taurus for 2 weeks while my old car has its engine rebuilt, and it drives straight as an arrow all over SoCal.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: UK
Originally Posted by Vik888
For those of you with this problem, how severe is the problem? I'm sure it adds stress to your drive having to keep correcting.
As for anyone telling you about a crown on the road, thats bull. I just rented a Ford Taurus for 2 weeks while my old car has its engine rebuilt, and it drives straight as an arrow all over SoCal.
As for anyone telling you about a crown on the road, thats bull. I just rented a Ford Taurus for 2 weeks while my old car has its engine rebuilt, and it drives straight as an arrow all over SoCal.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Allen (Dallas) Tx.
2005 C230K SS
My 2005 C230K pulls to the right and has so since I first got the car (new) a year ago.
I've had it in to the dealership on at least 2 occasions to address this, the first time they added the caster/camber bolt and did an alignment on it, but it continued to pull to the right even afterwards.
My SA told me the same crown in the road, following the groves in the road BS so I stood my ground and had the service tech ride in the car with me and he gave me the line about drifting to the right as a saftey feature in case you fall asleap at the wheel so you don't drift into oncoming traffic.
I bought it, but have since become to suspect that it's the tires not the car that's the problem.
The C230K has staggered front/rear wheels (different sizes) so you can't rotate the tires and to give the car better grip, etc.
The tires are super soft, Z rated Michelian Pilots ($1000 for a set of 4) that only last about 12k miles, so I'm guessing when I replace them, probably with something a bit harder/longer lifespan that the probelm will go away.
We'll see...
I've had it in to the dealership on at least 2 occasions to address this, the first time they added the caster/camber bolt and did an alignment on it, but it continued to pull to the right even afterwards.
My SA told me the same crown in the road, following the groves in the road BS so I stood my ground and had the service tech ride in the car with me and he gave me the line about drifting to the right as a saftey feature in case you fall asleap at the wheel so you don't drift into oncoming traffic.
I bought it, but have since become to suspect that it's the tires not the car that's the problem.
The C230K has staggered front/rear wheels (different sizes) so you can't rotate the tires and to give the car better grip, etc.
The tires are super soft, Z rated Michelian Pilots ($1000 for a set of 4) that only last about 12k miles, so I'm guessing when I replace them, probably with something a bit harder/longer lifespan that the probelm will go away.
We'll see...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
My almost new (7 month old, 6000 mile) SL pulled with the Staggered AMG sport rims and tires and now pulls less with 20's and Toyo T1R's...no dealer wants to fix it, especially since now they cant put in on the alignment machine since the stock rims apparently have little holes that are used during this process?
It has been pulling since I drove it off the lot.
It has been pulling since I drove it off the lot.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Athens, GREECE
2003 SL500, 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Originally Posted by lorinserbenz
umm must be that hidden option RIGHT-TRONIC! 
L O L !!!!!!!!
Anyhow, mine goes as straight as an arrow - no pulling whatsoever!
George
++
