Car pulling to left (worse) after wheel alignment - report attached

JohnCleary · 17-11-2014 02:21PM #1

Hi All,
Car is a 2008 W204 C220 CDI Saloon, 5 speed auto.

I got new tyres last week and the dealer replaced the 'diff balancer' under warranty (just looks like a mount behind the rear subframe (which the diff bushes are mounted to)) - stiff component but the bushes were worn so they replaced it.

Noticed an ever so slight pull to the left on my way home, so I decided to get the wheel alignment done locally.

Now since getting it done, when the wheel is straight (at say 100kph) the car is driving slightly to the right. But when I let go of the wheel, within about 100m the car is pulling to the left, so much so that when i'm on the motorway i'd be in the left lane (when initially i'd be in the right lane)

I wonder could someone take a look at the report attached and let me know if things are in spec? Car drove perfectly straight when I bought it 10 months ago and I didn't hit anything since purchasing.

Thanks folks

Chimaera · 17-11-2014 03:02PM

Thrust angle on the rear is out of spec. Not 100 % sure how this will affect the behaviour on the road, but it's definitely something to get rechecked. Looking at everything else, all the settings are in spec, though there is variation between left and right on most of them. Ideally, they should be balanced left to right, regardless of where they sit within the specification limits.

They also haven't checked caster, which could certainly affect performance in turns.

mickdw · 17-11-2014 03:45PM

You front right camber is just over the allowable. I doubt it would cause your problems though.
I dont know the merc setup but on some cars, there is more to alignment than just the static measurement on all 4 wheels. Some Audi and Vw for example need to be measured at raised suspension height also and adjustments made in addition to the track rod adjustment.

Id take that car to a dealer for alignment and explain the issues at start.

What does the wheel base difference refer to. It is listed at -10mm. If that was a difference between the wheels from side to side, well that would be a major issue.

H3llR4iser · 17-11-2014 03:46PM

Going on a wild goose chase here, but the front right camber seems out of spec - slightly, just -0 02' (min -0 56' max -0 07', and it's -0 58'). Other than that, as Chimaera said, the caster angle wasn't checked - as it affects the self-centering properties of the steering axis, it might be a significant contributor to your issue.

JohnCleary · 17-11-2014 06:30PM

I rang the garage back advising of my concerns. They said the alignment was out by very little so they adjusted that.

They said they weren't able to adjust camber or check caster because of the bolts needed from MB.

I'm going to just write off the money I spent (wasted) this morning and go to a dealer.

As a last resort they suggested swapping over the front wheels eventhough they're new. I'll do that anyway but still go to the dealer to get it done properly

visual · 18-11-2014 01:26AM

Sounds like a bogus repair and alignment in one of the big name tyre and exhauste centres.

monkey see monkey do
next they tell you potholes and worn bushings

Car pulling to left (worse) after wheel alignment - report attached

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