2019 SL63 wheel alignment

[kcsun]

I decided to take the wheels off my car to clean the insides and noticed a bad cut on the inside edge of one of the rear tyres. I have ordered a replacement pair of tyres but also noticed slight wearing of the inside edge of the tyres. I think the car may need a 4 wheel alignment (unless this wear is considered normal). I contacted a local firm who said they would not check the car due to the air suspension. Do I have to take the car to Mercedes for alignment or do "normal" garages do this work with Hunter type equipment?

kc

 

[23 Romeo Tango]

Going by my last 2 AMG’s, that wear is the AMG norm for the fronts, but it looks like these are your rears so I can’t really advise.
It could be something to do with the R231 set-up or as you suspect an alignment issue.

I’ve just done a quick search, this may help

Alignment - camber and toe issue - MBWorld.org Forums

SL-Class (R231) - Alignment - camber and toe issue - I looked at my tires the other day (I have a 2015 SL550 w/ about 22K miles on them) and fronts are showing a lot of wear towards the inside of the tires. I brought the car into a german auto repair shop in orlando and asked them.... when I get...

mbworld.org

 

[ToeKnee]

I thought the R231 had a hydraulic oil suspension not air suspension? If so I'd go somewhere else that knew what they were talking about.

 

[Teego]

My CLS55 with airmatic chewed the inner rears to the carcass. Derby Tyre Services did a 4 wheel alignment and cured the problem. Never suffered any of those so-called AMG type wear patterns.

 

[kcsun]

Seems like lots of R231's have this issue, probably designed like that from factory. Will find a local alignment centre and see if they can check it

kc

 

[Petrol Pete]

Most places with a hunter machine will check it for you but some (kwikFit) might be reluctant to actually adjust it . For example I know my local KF will check the alignment on a BMW i3 but do nothing about it if its out.

I know this because I overheard a conversation with an i3 owner and the KF guy recently . Apparently the KF website says 'yes' but KF branch manager say's 'no' .

For example to adjust the rear alignment on my C55 requires removal of the long undertrays which then exposes impossible to adjust (corrosion) eccentric bolts that requite a T55 and a lot of work to replace - I did take the car along with new everything and the undertrays removed as well as my cut down T55 fitted to a pivoting wrench head......You get the picture.

I am lucky because one of the guys at my quick fit is a bit OCD about wheel alignment (his words) and was happy to get involved after seeing all the 'new stuff' under my car .

But you can understand why KwikFit type places don't really want the hassle of cars like ours.

Not suggesting whatever rear adjusting mechanism your car has is corroded solid , but finding out it is when the car is up in the air of the Hunter machine is not the best time.

 

[ricky s]

I decided to take the wheels off my car to clean the insides and noticed a bad cut on the inside edge of one of the rear tyres. I have ordered a replacement pair of tyres but also noticed slight wearing of the inside edge of the tyres. I think the car may need a 4 wheel alignment (unless this wear is considered normal). I contacted a local firm who said they would not check the car due to the air suspension. Do I have to take the car to Mercedes for alignment or do "normal" garages do this work with Hunter type equipment?

kc

My wife's car, R231 SL has suffered the same fate, was in at local Mercedes only last Thursday, service and MOT and a couple of warranty things, tyres all condemned, f/o/s down to belt, f/n/s badly worn, both on inner, the rears as per the fronts, 4 new tyres and 4 wheel alinement, not overly sure I trust the alinement by MB, will probably get that checked again, by the indie I go to. As per the responses to OP, seems this is an ongoing issue, that just need to live with.