Mercedes Benz Alignment Help

[Kal86]

Wonder if anyone is able to assist and point me in the right direction for alignment for my R170 SLK.

I had some suspension parts replaced by an independent Merc specialist on the front end due to wear and tear (Drag link, ball joints and such) and Speedy could not get my alignment right after 3 attempts, after that the car went to Tyre Mart who spent 4 hours trying and also could not get it 100% right.

So the best its been is what Tyre Mart managed to do, it pulls straight (Speedy's best effort made the car veer left) but the steering wheel is not 100% straight, its about 10 degrees to the left and due to this my steering angle sensor is throwing a fault code which makes my ESP light come on.

So the Independent Mercedes Specialist who did the work on the car for me suggested I take the car to MB to do alignment which is going to cost R1350 according to him. They have had a slew of problems with Merc's and alignment of late.

Does anyone know why these places cannot get the alignment right? Could someone point me in the direction of someone who could be capable of doing it?

 

[Masataka]

I've found that TWT do a solid job. The machines are up-to-scratch and the training that the guys get is pretty comprehensive and includes manufacture specific training (they also have profiles in the alignment machine from the manufacturers themselves).

 

[Kal86]

I've found that TWT do a solid job. The machines are up-to-scratch and the training that the guys get is pretty comprehensive and includes manufacture specific training (they also have profiles in the alignment machine from the manufacturers themselves).

TW&T have done the car for me in the past but also battled to get my steering wheel 100% straight. Might give them a shot again this afternoon

 

[Colin62]

I've had variable results on my mercs from TWT. I had to tell them that the camber was adjustable, and then I had to argue with the guy about whether or not it was worth doing. I think he was looking at the queue of cars he still had to get through, and wasn't too keen to fiddle.

Given that you're probably paying around R2000 - R2500 per tyre for the car, I'd say that R1350 for the agents to do it is a good price, it'll save you more than that in the long run. Get it right now, and then use TWT or Speedys or whoever to keep it right.

 

[Masataka]

TW&T have done the car for me in the past but also battled to get my steering wheel 100% straight. Might give them a shot again this afternoon

Worst case is I'd get the suspension rechecked again. I had similar issues when I put on new tyres, but it wasn't helped by the fact that Hi-Q couldn't align or balance to save their life.

I eventually discovered that the control arms were shot and the issue was being emphasised by the new tyres because of the additional tread. Once I replaced those, TWT did a spot-on alignment, and this was on a BMW with the sports suspension.

 

[Kal86]

Thanks Colin, I did infact put new tyres on at a cost of R2150 per tyre not too long ago. I just dont understand what the agents are able to do that all the other places cant.

 

[Kal86]

Worst case is I'd get the suspension rechecked again. I had similar issues when I put on new tyres, but it wasn't helped by the fact that Hi-Q couldn't align or balance to save their life.

I eventually discovered that the control arms were shot and the issue was being emphasised by the new tyres because of the additional tread. Once I replaced those, TWT did a spot-on alignment, and this was on a BMW with the sports suspension.

I had the entire suspension checked which resulted in the work carried out, everything else suspension wise is in spec at the moment.

 

[Colin62]

I don't know either, but the wheel alignment on Mercs seems to be a bit of a black art. Read the UK based Merc forums, and they battle to find reliable wheel alignment guys over there too. I suspect that because the agents are only doing Mercs, and they book the car in for the day, they know the cars better and take more time. The tyre places basically do toe-in and are a bit of a sausage machine, but having said that, if they have a guy who knows his stuff on the machine, they can do a great job. It's just that you never know who'll work on your car on the day.

 

[JackWhite]

Someone once told me that mercs alignment can only be done by merc themselves. Everyone else is just trying but can never get 100% consistently.

 

[Masataka]

Thanks Colin, I did infact put new tyres on at a cost of R2150 per tyre not too long ago. I just dont understand what the agents are able to do that all the other places cant.

I can't speak for Merc, but BMW sandbag the car in certain areas to mimic driving, braking and handling conditions, which then also accounts worn suspension.

Places like TWT won't do this but instead will have settings from the manufacturers that have been adjusted to mimic the conditions. Merc will probably also spend close to an hour doing the alignment as opposed to the typical 15min job at the tyre shops.

 

[Sinbad]

When my LCA bush was replaced, the alignment was done by MB. It's a specialist process, takes them a couple hours, and costs a fecking fortune. Specialised equipment needed afaik, since there are camber bolts that need to be adjusted etc.

 

[ProfA]

ah crap. Also inherited a merc recently. So TWT wont be able to help? :-(

 

[Sinbad]

ah crap. Also inherited a merc recently. So TWT wont be able to help? :-(

Depends what merc.
The R170 SLK definitely needs speshal treatment. Based on that I'd say the W202 C class does as well.

 

[Kal86]

When my LCA bush was replaced, the alignment was done by MB. It's a specialist process, takes them a couple hours, and costs a fecking fortune. Specialised equipment needed afaik, since there are camber bolts that need to be adjusted etc.

Thanks Sinbad, let me phone Grand Central and see how long the process will take out of interest and see what else they say.

 

[Sinbad]

Thanks Sinbad, let me phone Grand Central and see how long the process will take out of interest and see what else they say.

Sit down while you do so.

 

[Kal86]

Hahahaha for sure. Will let you know what they say

 

[Kal86]

Grand Central says its sounds as if I need caster/camber adjustment and told me not many places can do this at all. They will need the car to be dropped off at 07h00 and I should have her back by about 12h30. R2 050 to set her straight again

 

[Colin62]

For that price, it will need to be perfect when you get it back.

But if it is done well, it will be like driving a completely different car.

 

[Kal86]

I agree Colin, going to book it in for next week

 

[zizo911]

Wow! Mercs are costly