maxwerks

Ok guys, need help here...I first posted a question regarding the softness I have been feeling with the steering wheel, changing the damper isnt the solution since our cars dont have a separate steering damper like the older Benzes. This how I would describe it besides being soft..if I let go of the steering wheel, any slight imperfection in the road, will cause the car to steer one way or the other.. I know that to a certain degree this is normal, specially with the 245 front tires, but it does seem to be more amplified now. Control arm bushings were changed 1K miles ago, Alignment was done same time, so I know thats not it. Suspension seem fine, tires basically new....any ideas??

maxwerks

Ok guys, no responses yet ..I guess I am stumped. The last thing left which I havent checked...wheel bearings...would they cause the steering to feel a little too soft? In the next day or so I will put the car up on the lift and check, if someone has had any similar experience specially needing new wheels bearing , would you please let me know.
Thanks,
Max

nick 55

Wheel bearings can cause an instability, I actually had a right front fail catastrophically going 80 MPH. I had performed a service about 1000 miles before that and checked the suspension thoroughly. It caused me to replace both front bearings(well, one for obvious reasons, along with a hub, and a spindle) out of extreme caution. I am still surprised that it happened, since I checked the bearings. All this was at about 60000 miles.

Nick

MARK CUMMINS

Is the car lowered?

How old are the shocks? Correct Type for lowered car if Lowered ? Sticky shocks can cause this

Who did the alignment? do you have the print out before and after?



Bumpsteer might be a cause if lowered

maxwerks

Thank you Mark, the car is lowered, via H&R, ( I dont think they are staying , next week the eibachs are going on ) the Springs & the shocks ( Bilsteins Sports ) were done about 1K miles ago. The alignment was done at my Indie, and the car was aligned perfectly, we at the time also changed the control arm bushings...Except for the H&R ride which I didnt really care for that much the car was perfect...thats why I am thinking it is the bearings...wheels are Iforged staggerd 19s, 245-35-19 Pirelli P zero brand new..
Regards,
Max

maxwerks

Thank you Nick, my suspicions exactly, I just ordered both bearings kit just in case. Regards,
Max

MARK CUMMINS

Was the Ride Height inspected when the car was aligned?

I Have seen this when I Did Alignments... Most shops do not check this..
This can be corrected via different spring pads.

maxwerks

YEs everything was checked, I had no rubbing what so ever, I actually changed the spring pads also at the time and went with #2 for the front and #3 for the rear, I didnt want to push the envelope , and I never wanted slammed anyway. Although I am not sure what do yo mean by ride height inspected WHEN the car was aligned...The car was dropped, wee took it out for a spin ,loaded up the rear seat, checked and checked again, no rubbing THEN the car was aligned, I hope I didnt miss anything. The thing is the car was riding fine, ( just a bit harsher because of the H&Rs ) only till very recently.
Thanks for your help Mark. Regard,
Max

MARK CUMMINS

Did The alignment shop add weight to the drivers seat/floor 150lbs ?
Also was the fuel tank full?

Please remeasure the car L/R sides basic measurement use a tape measure from a Level area..Alignment Rack is level..Ground to wheel well arch

Also when the front end was raised off the ground to install the front alignment
device either laser or mirror did the shop allow the front end to resettle?
As that will cause a false reading


Interested in the cause of this ....


Also Please inspect the balljoints as a binding/sticky balljoint can cause this as well

maxwerks

Wow Mark...way above my paygrade!!! if you know what I mean !!! Thank you for all the pointers. The car is going in soon ( As soon as I get the adjustable arms from Lensolo ) to swap the springs, Eibachs Pro instead of the H&R , I really wanted the KW but I had to save some $ for the new brakes. I will make sure that the alignment is done according to your pointers, I really appreciate all the insight and help. Will report the results hopefully sooner than later.
Regards,
Max

H35

What ever happened with this? I am having the same problem, especially in the snow. My car acts like I'm driving on a sheet of fresh ice when it snows.

RRD

I too am having this problem. Any ideas?

maxwerks

Sorry guys when I was in NY I never took my car in the snow...I did once only and I think I drove for a block and came right back to the garage... I am not sure what tires are you running but you would need some serious snow tires for this car to drive in the snow.... if your car is running fine on dry pavement , then I seriously doubt if it has anything to do with steering or bearings...it is the tires. Mark Cummings alerted me to an issue with the differential ... but again ... I think thats vibration which would be dry or wet.. thats my 2c , keep us posted.