2009 E220 Cdi Sport - Pulling to the Left

[Empi5]

I wonder if someone could shed some light on something that I think is a problem, yet the Dealer doesnt agree.

I drove a 2006 E 220 Elegance for over 2 years, the drive was perfect as you would expect from a Mercedes.

I upgraded to a 2009 Blue Efficiency E220 Sport, and after getting it back from the Dealer due to the dreaded Injector failure, i remember just how uncomfortable this car is to drive.

Problem that i think, is that the car struggles to stay in a straight line during normal driving conditions, and after careful analysis , i realise that Im always adjusting the steering to a point where its actually giving me pain in my left arm. I understand that every car has a slight pull to the left, but I have taken it to a independent garage to have the wheels aligned and all appears to be in order. MB have also had the car in and confirmed that all is in order. !

So my question, is this normal for this model, (18" Alloys) and has anyone else experienced this problem.

I do over 20,000 miles a year, no other car gives me this amount of discomfort, hence the reason why Im sure something is wrong.

 

[wemorgan]

What type of wheel alignment checking did the garage do? They come in several flavours.

A garage with a good reputation for knowing what they're doing is Wheels in Motion in Chasham.

Here's a specific page on Mercedes with pulling issues:

Mercedes Pulling Problems | Car Tyres Fitting and Wheel Alignment Specialists

 

[Empi5]

Thanks for that link, very informative

I believe the Independent just used a Lazer Alignment, and the Dealership were adamant that there was not a problem. They even stated that 3 different technicians took the car out and all concluded all was in order.

There is definitly something amiss, and Im reluctant to pay for anything as the car is only two months old. I might try another dealer.

 

[wemorgan]

I believe the Independent just used a Lazer Alignment, and the Dealership were adamant that there was not a problem. They even stated that 3 different technicians took the car out and all concluded all was in order.

Laser, lights; as far as I know that's not the critical aspect.
Some more information on the different kinds.

Wheels Alignment Systems | Technical Theory | Car Tyres Fitting and Wheel Alignment Specialists

Now you can go back to the MB dealers and ask specific questions on what they use.

Equally, 1 technician or 10. If they all use the same equipment and trained in the same way it's not so suprising they came to the same conclusion.

Good luck.

 

[wheels-inmotion]

The MB steer angles need to be staggered.... The positions being green means nothing, it's the collective forces generated within those figures -V- the UK road crown.

Dealers go by the book, seemingly blissfully unaware of the real problem!

 

[jpwilliams]

Might be nothing to do with the steering set up and everythnig to do with the nearside front tyre. Certainly was in my case.
Have a good tyre fitter remove it and examine it or fit your spare wheel and see if it makes any difference.
Happy Motoring
Regards
John

 

[Empi5]

Might be nothing to do with the steering set up and everythnig to do with the nearside front tyre. Certainly was in my case.
Have a good tyre fitter remove it and examine it or fit your spare wheel and see if it makes any difference.
Happy Motoring
Regards
John

Thanks guys, John what was the problem with the tyre ?

 

[jpwilliams]

Thanks guys, John what was the problem with the tyre ?

It was a Michelin Premacy which had done 55,000 miles and still had plenty of tread left, but when it was removed from the Alloy Rim
you could see that the left hand side of the tread pattern was ever so slightly higher than the right.The new replacement cured the problem (I replaced both tyres in case the other one went similarly as it had covered the same mileage!)

I hope your problem can be cured too.

Regards
John.)

 

[Empi5]

It was a Michelin Premacy which had done 55,000 miles and still had plenty of tread left, but when it was removed from the Alloy Rim
you could see that the left hand side of the tread pattern was ever so slightly higher than the right.The new replacement cured the problem (I replaced both tyres in case the other one went similarly as it had covered the same mileage!)

I hope your problem can be cured too.

Regards
John.)

Think I have a space saver, so thats not an option, Wonder if i change front to back, that will reduce the pull. ( if that is the problem). Only done 4500 miles from new,

 

[jpwilliams]

Think I have a space saver, so thats not an option, Wonder if i change front to back, that will reduce the pull. ( if that is the problem). Only done 4500 miles from new,

Try it and see. My point is.... do not overlook the possibility that the problem could be caused by the tyre not the steering geometry.
Good Luck and do let us all know when and how the problem is solved,
Regards
John

 

[Empi5]

Well after another miserable commute to work, I chucked the keys to my MD and asked him for his opinion.

He drives a 350 E Coupe,

His opinion is like mine , something is not right, but he feels its more to do with the suspension set up. He describes it as very un nerving, almost "wallowy", and the fight with the steering is indeed to keep it straight. He pushed it into a few bends, and accepts its never going to be a great handling car, but was surprised at the characteristics it showed.

 

[matt17081]

I have exactly the same problem with a Mitsubishi Pajero in that whenever i try to pass a fuel station the vehicle will pull violently to the left !