4-wheel alignment

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4-wheel alignment; Help needed
Topic Started: Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:50 pm (279 Views)
Gaz2N	Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:50 pm Post #1
Old Merc fan Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #2,012 Joined: December 6, 2007 Colour / Year / Engine Avantgarde Rosso Red/1993/2.0 Auto	Hi there, I posted on here a few months back regarding uneven tyre wear on the near side rear. I have since taken the car to a merc specialist who informed me that all the bushings are fine with no play. He suggeseted 4-wheel alignment at a well know tyre fitting company about 10 miles away. I went this morning and they advised me that the ner side rear was well out on the camber. The 4-wheel alignment was done but as soon as I got back on the open road I felt the car was pulling quite strongly to the right. I went back and it was re-checked. I set off again, same problem! Went back again and same again! At this point I had no other option but to drive home (I was already running late). However I did stop at another garage who I asked to quickly check the tracking. They said it was fine too! If I hold the steering wheel exactly level the car runs straight and true but if I release the steering wheel, it settles just off to the right and the car turns right. Enough to end up in the wrong lane in 2 or 3 seconds. It seems to me that the centre of the actual system is not lined up with the central point of the wheels. It is really worrying me that there is something seriously wrong here, and to be honest I don't really want to drive it. There are no other local places that will do this job for me. I have phoned round. I am completely stuck now and wondered if any of you more technical minded fellows would have any ideas. Any help greatly appreciated Thanks Gary



aemt	Sat Nov 7, 2009 5:18 pm Post #2
Member Posts: 3,620 Group: Members Member #3,171 Joined: September 1, 2008	I have the same problem on one of our cars. The alignment has all been checked and is all fine. Mine pulls to the left; sometimes quite strongly. Steering damper has been done. I blame the tyre/wheel set up I currently have on. I have a set of 16valve wheels on the way which I am going to put on and see if that is the issue.



alogaparaloga	Sat Nov 7, 2009 5:48 pm Post #3
crazy mind Posts: 898 Group: Members Member #2,419 Joined: March 14, 2008 Colour / Year / Engine Black/1993/1800cc	Have you got any printouts of your setup, a before and after printout could help to advice you on what to look for. For example I know that my car had a steer ahead angle problem, increased toe and camber due to lowering. I had all the bushings check at the dealership for free and they found no problem with that. I would say try a 4 wheel alignment laser system or even pay the dealership but that cost a bit more. One more thing: When you apply the brakes does the car keep straight or you fight with the steering wheel to keep it straight???



Johnboy Mac	Sat Nov 7, 2009 6:11 pm Post #4
Member Posts: 1,883 Group: Members Member #2,771 Joined: June 12, 2008	had a similar problem, wh.alignment carried out, perfect as per MB specifications but once out driving steering pulled, traced fault worn front strut top mounts.



aemt	Sat Nov 7, 2009 6:32 pm Post #5
Member Posts: 3,620 Group: Members Member #3,171 Joined: September 1, 2008	I had new top mounts springs shocks lower arms bushes and ball joints and full four wheel alignment together with steering damper to boot. Thats what makes me think it has to be either the wheels or tyres



Gaz2N	Sat Nov 7, 2009 8:44 pm Post #6
Old Merc fan Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #2,012 Joined: December 6, 2007 Colour / Year / Engine Avantgarde Rosso Red/1993/2.0 Auto	Hi there and thanks to you all for your time. Much appreciated as I am at a loss here! I only took it to have the alignment as the near side rear tyre was wearing unevenly. The tracking was perfect! It was only once the wheel alignment was carried out that this problem has arisen! I wish I'd left it alone now If I keep the wheels straight I can feel the steering wheel trying to pull right. I do have the print-out before and after the alignment was carried out. Before (front only): Left Caster + 10o48', Camber -1o26', Partial Toe -4.40 Right Caster +9o14', Camber -1o28', Partial Toe -9.00 Total Toe +4.60 After Left Caster +10o24', Camber -0o41', Partial Toe 0o10' Right Caster +10o14', Camber -0o39', Partial Toe 0o10' Total Toe 0o19' Although I do pretty much understand what these readings mean, I don't really understand why there should be a problem as they all seem fine. Go the the tyre place at 8.30AM and finally go home at 2pm. Then rushed to cut my lawn before going to watch my football team play. The mower siezed and went up in smoke and we lost 3-1! To make matters worse my push bikes gears have jammed tonight! not been the best of days Thanks again. Gary



Gaz2N	Sat Nov 7, 2009 9:29 pm Post #7
Old Merc fan Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #2,012 Joined: December 6, 2007 Colour / Year / Engine Avantgarde Rosso Red/1993/2.0 Auto	Just had a thought! I also had 2 new tyres fitted today. The old rears are now on the front so the tyre which had wear on the inside shoulder is now on the front. Could this have any effect? Thanks Gary



Ukmerctechie	Sat Nov 7, 2009 10:39 pm Post #8
I only answer to Carlos Spicyweiner! Posts: 2,492 Group: Members Member #454 Joined: August 12, 2006	Wheres the figures for the back end Gaz?



Gaz2N	Sun Nov 8, 2009 6:44 am Post #9
Old Merc fan Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #2,012 Joined: December 6, 2007 Colour / Year / Engine Avantgarde Rosso Red/1993/2.0 Auto	Hi there UKMerctechie, Thanks very much for your reply. Rear details as follows:- Before Left Camber +0o22', Partial Toe -5.60 Right Camber +0o00', Partial toe +1.90 After Left Camber +0o15', Partial Toe 0o12' Right Camber -1o19', Partial Toe 0o14' Total Toe 0o26' Thrust Angle -0o01' Also forgot to add the front Steer Ahead is 0o00' The rear left camber is the only parameter outside the recommended guide. This was the tyre which was wearing oddly. I may try changing the two front tyres round next weekend to see if that has any effect. If it does I will get some new ones put on as they are cheap rubbish anyway. I didn't realise there was so much to the wheel alignment. I would have had the job done at my local Merc dealer but their apparatus is not working and they have no idea when it will be repaired. The company I used boast the most advanced system in the UK and came highly recommended from several sources. Thanks again. Gary



bolide	Sun Nov 8, 2009 10:10 am Post #10
Bolide Posts: 306 Group: Members Member #3,828 Joined: February 11, 2009	One a tyres is worn into a conical shape the car will pull to one side because of that tyre The only really effective way to stop a car pulling is to check the wheels are the correct size & offset and are running true, fit four new tyres then have a 4-wheel alignment Once everything's within spec it should track straight on a flat road (should you ever find one) but it will follow camber - all MBs from this period do Nick Froome



Gaz2N	Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:19 pm Post #11
Old Merc fan Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #2,012 Joined: December 6, 2007 Colour / Year / Engine Avantgarde Rosso Red/1993/2.0 Auto	Hi Nick, Your advise is much appreciated. I was thinking today about the problem. I figured that the left rear being run for 2 years at nearly 6o toe-in must have worn to a certain shape. This tyre which now sits at the left fron will no-doubt be trying again to run at 6o toe. Therefore the steering will pull to the right! You have just confirmed that and comming from someone of your experience I am fairly confident now that a new set of front tyres will cure the problem. I will not be using the car until next weekend now so weather permitting I will put the new spare on the left front and see what happens next Saturday. I will of course provide an update. Thanks very much Nick and keep up the good work on the W124 website. Best regards and thanks to all who have assisted. Gary Edited by Gaz2N, Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:20 pm.



Gaz2N	Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:33 pm Post #12
Old Merc fan Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #2,012 Joined: December 6, 2007 Colour / Year / Engine Avantgarde Rosso Red/1993/2.0 Auto	Well just thought I would update this thread. Got the two old rear tyres (which had been moved to the front) replaced. Nick was completely correct as the minute I drove the car away it tracked perfectly straight! Good result in the end and with no more budget tyres the car feels much more shore-footed. Thanks guys. Gary



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