c-class coupe pulling to the left

[Jez]

Hi Folks, Ive got the opportunity to buy my friends company car, a mint 2004 c-class coupe, at about 4 grand less than book price. It appears to be a great car all round, except....it pulls to the left, a lot. So much so my friend has told me not to bother buying it. He reports problems with the MB dealer, just not taking it seriously, and explaining it away as a vehicle characteristic. I ask your advice, is this a common condition, and can it be fixed? I guess it is a little more serious than the tracking, and I would especially like to hear if anyone else has had this problem...

Many thanks - Jez

 

[nigel cross]

You should see from the tyre wear, if its tracking or not, could well be that or worn ball joints.

 

[Dieselman]

Just about every MB pulls to either one side or the other and dealers have varying attitudes and degrees of success fixing it.

Almost certainly a proper 4 wheel alignment will fix this problem as the car is probably steering from the rear due to incorrect adjustments.

This assumes the car hasn't been in a major crash, which I presume your friend would tell you about.

Firstly check that it is actually pulling to the left as opposed to following ht eroad camber. Drive it on either a flat car park or the wrong side of the road and see if it stops pulling and even goees to the right. MB are sensitive to road camber due to the lighter setup of the front geometry.

What model car is it?

 

[Rory]

Do a search for drift left, or tracking or alignment and you'll find lots of threads about this.

 

[bolide]

Assuming it's not been in a crash I wouldn't pass up a good car because of this

To a greater or lesser extent it's fixable. The cars, by nature, tend to follow camber and, as we have lots of road camber in the UK, they will pull left

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Jez]

Thanks folks, it hasnt been in a smash, has otherwise been well maintained and has about 30,000 miles, and is definately pulling - Its the 180 sport (I think). I will read the other threads - great advice from you all thanks.

Jez

 

[Chris_J]

My Coupe pulls to the left too. I had it 4 wheel aligned but it is still camber sensitive. Be warned the 4 wheel alignment costs just over £200.

The outside edge of my left tyre was worn quite bad, while the inside of the tyre had lots of tread left. Next job is to change the front tyres and have the ball joints checked.

 

[cheshirecat]

My Coupe pulls to the left too. I had it 4 wheel aligned but it is still camber sensitive. Be warned the 4 wheel alignment costs just over £200.

The outside edge of my left tyre was worn quite bad, while the inside of the tyre had lots of tread left. Next job is to change the front tyres and have the ball joints checked.

my four wheel allignment cost approx £40 at quick fit of all places!! go to www.alignmycar.co.uk first:bannana: