CLK 209 handling

[Simon_M]

We have a late 2009 CLK (W209) 280 Sport cab, without the speed sensitive parameter steering.

I find the steering pretty heavy at low speeds and very light around centre at high speed. It definitely feels 'weird' to drive with a very detached feeling while driving straight at high speed (60mph+).

Does anyone else with this setup (Sport suspension but regular steering) on a 209 CLK feel the same?

I have checked/played around with tyre pressures and all seem fine.

One thing is that for the car to drive straight the steering wheel has to be at a slight angle. It has been like this since new and when I raised it with the dealer they wanted me to pay for an alignment check out of my own pocket which I refused.

Simon

 

[steve333]

We have a late 2009 CLK (W209) 280 Sport cab, without the speed sensitive parameter steering.

I find the steering pretty heavy at low speeds and very light around centre at high speed. It definitely feels 'weird' to drive with a very detached feeling while driving straight at high speed (60mph+).

Does anyone else with this setup (Sport suspension but regular steering) on a 209 CLK feel the same?

I have checked/played around with tyre pressures and all seem fine.

One thing is that for the car to drive straight the steering wheel has to be at a slight angle. It has been like this since new and when I raised it with the dealer they wanted me to pay for an alignment check out of my own pocket which I refused.

Simon

Doesn't sound right to me simon,have you tried contacting wheels in motion(they offer a discount to all forum members)for an alignment check/adjustment?As an after thought have you checked the power steering fluid level?

 

[Simon_M]

Cheers, think I will.

Fluid level is fine.....

 

[moonloops]

CLK suspension is what I call "fussy". Absolutely get it aligned and checked for worn bushes. You can get funny tyre wear if suspension is not set up right. This leads to other strangeness..hope that makes sense

 

[Simon_M]

Thanks guys, car is only 18 months old with 8000miles on it. So far the tyres are wearing pretty evenly as I looked at them to see any tell-tale signs.

S

 

[wheels-inmotion]

Something reads wrong here for three reasons...

1: If this has been like this from day one, the cure is down to the dealer
2: If the problem is geometric "why"
3: The steering angle sensor needs to be re-set.

All reads like not your problem, do you want me to talk to the dealer on your behalf?

 

[Simon_M]

That would be pretty good, maybe we can talk offline. I did stress that it has been like this from day one and the dealers attitued was "we would have to do a full alignment check which we will have to charge you for".

I shall PM you later.

Simon

 

[wheels-inmotion]

That would be pretty good, maybe we can talk offline. I did stress that it has been like this from day one and the dealers attitued was "we would have to do a full alignment check which we will have to charge you for".

I shall PM you later.

Simon

PM replied..... In the event you do have to use us the evidence and written report "if needed" should help if you need to claim costs back.

If i can help you get them to resolve the complaint that would be better for you since we would be deemed as an interested party as soon as money changes hands between us.

 

[johnpidge]

my 208 CLK55 shows odd handling traits - odd road cambers seem to get it hunting one way then the other (and have checked/replaced everything inc drag link etc etc!!) and will be visiting Wheels in Motion to get the camber set up correctly - everyone I speak to says these guys know how to do it!

 

[wheels-inmotion]

my 208 CLK55 shows odd handling traits - odd road cambers seem to get it hunting one way then the other (and have checked/replaced everything inc drag link etc etc!!) and will be visiting Wheels in Motion to get the camber set up correctly - everyone I speak to says these guys know how to do it!

There's always a reason for these problems, it's simply a case of methodically tuning the approach to keep the owners cost down.

Just so everyone is clear about our operation, we do not charge anything to inspect the car for mechanical or worn defects, we only charge once the criminal is found and the owner wants us to correct the problem. The same can be said with the Geometry, we do not have a fixed fee, you only pay for what needs correcting.