Alignment in the North East

[AlexJReid]

I've got a 2012 SLK. From a few searches it appears that (for some reason I don't understand) aligning a Mercedes seems tricky.

The back end of the car felt like it was jumping sideways after a bump. So I had the alignment looked at - rear toe was incorrect, so this was adjusted and it appears to be much better.

Unfortunately the steering wheel was now noticeably to the right when steering straight ahead. I asked them to double check and they fiddled with the front toe and that made it better, but now it seems to be very inclined to go with the camber of the road and the wheel is now slightly to the left. It really does depend on the road, one some it's actually fine.

Before having it looked at, the wheel was straight.

Most people probably wouldn't notice and I'd probably live with it on an older car. However, who is best in the North East to take a look? NOT Revolution in Gateshead.

[GTRmad]

Im taking mine to North Eastern tyres middle engine lane next to silverlink wallsend, They have good kit there.

[AlexJReid]

GTRmad said:

Im taking mine to North Eastern tyres middle engine lane next to silverlink wallsend, They have good kit there.

Ah forgot to mention, I've been there too! Helpful enough and made it slightly better, but they had no data for my car as it's too new. So their kit can't be that great.

[b2hbm]

Given it's such a new car, isn't it something that a Mercedes dealership can sort out for you ? I'm not a Mercedes guy myself but I think I'd be reluctant to move outside the dealerships at that age just in case it turned out to be a warranty claim at some point.

The trouble with independents is that having the kit is only part of the deal, it's far more important to get someone who knows what they're doing. Clearly for someone to leave a car with a misaligned steering wheel makes me think they've adjusted only one side and the rack is no longer central. That's something that shouldn't happen with any car and would leave me with concerns about what they've actually done at the rear, for example if the car now has excessive toe-in ?

Brian

[Matt Seabrook]

My advise would be to take it to someone that specialises in wheel alignment tell them what has happened and been done so far and get them to make an assessment of the car. It sounds to me that the rear wheel alignment may have been set up with some thrust in it if the steering wheel was not straight after a rear toe adjustment. If the front axle has now been set up to match the rear thrust then the steering angle sensor may well be out if the steering is still not set correctly. I can't help with who you should use around your area but do try and get a recommendation for someone that can do the job to a high standard because wheel alignment on a modern car is not as straight forward as it used to be. Most Mercs need a special tool to spread the front wheels when alignment is being performed. Without checking up the specs for your car I could not say for sure but some special tools may be needed to perform a correct wheel alignment.