CLK Wheel Grinding + Pull to the left

[Rose Chap]

Morning chaps,

This is my first proper post here so please excuse any etiquette mishaps!

I’ve got a 2001 CLK 230Kompressor Avantgarde with 17” AMG wheels (225/45 17s on the front and 245/40 17s on the back – both sets will need replacing in about 6000 miles) and there are two niggling issues bothering me.

1. The car pulls to the left, especially soon after startup. It definitely feels more pronounced than just a drift to the left as I understand all modern MBs do, and is definitely more noticeable just after startup. I’ve read lots of posts about 3D alignment checks and all that malarkey, however the trader I bought it from (not an MB dealer) insisted this has been done. Part of me wonders if it’s related to my second question!

2. During low speed manoeuvring, such as pulling into a parking space, occasionally with light braking pressure, like you do whilst parking, there is a grinding noise I can feel from the front wheels. It almost feels like the discs are fouling the wheels somehow. It’s fairly subtle, and doesn’t always do it. Like I said usually at low speed manoeuvres using quite a bit of steering lock. I suppose its possible it would do it at higher speeds and I’m not noticing it, but I can’t be sure. Could it be PAS fluid or something daft like that?

Anyway guys, any ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received!

Andy

 

[Flash]

Problem 1: Have tracking/aligment and wheel balancing checked/

Problem number 2: Could possibly be a suspension related issue i.e. dry ball joint, rubber mounts, bushing etc. Has the car been i an accident at all?

Flash

 

[Rose Chap]

Problem 1: Have tracking/aligment and wheel balancing checked/

Problem number 2: Could possibly be a suspension related issue i.e. dry ball joint, rubber mounts, bushing etc. Has the car been i an accident at all?

Flash

Thanks for the response Flash!

Agreed about point 1, but since this 'apparently' has been done, I don't want to do it again unless I really need to.

Good suggestions about suspension compenents. I don't think its been involved in an accident, the HPi report didn't say it had, but I suppose it could have had a minor knock. It all looks clean and straight so hard to tell.

Andy

 

[GRAV888]

Sounds like worn brake pads to me, or a sticking calliper.

 

[Rose Chap]

Do you think the pulling to the left is related to any sticking calipers and/or worn suspension componentry or am I really facing two issues here?

 

[Tbmeech]

Easy way to check if the caliper is sticking, is to jack the front off the ground, and spin the wheel manually, the wheel should spin with relative ease.

If the wheel makes dubious noises when spinning, give it a wobble just to elminate worn wheel bearings too.

 

[Dieselman]

The noise could well be a worn balljoint.

If the tyres are wearing well then the geometory is probably Ok but it could well be worth having it all set as pulling to the left is really annoying.

The pulling could also be down to the wear on the tyres or a bias on one front tyre. Try swapping them over.

Why would the dealer pay for a full four wheel alaignment to be done on the car unless there was a problem?

Look for a good inde tyre centre that perform four wheel alignment. It should cost about £45 but the feel of the car afterwards is worth the money.

 

[Rose Chap]

All good tips thanks Dieselman! I can't be doing with any ball grinding, joints or otherwise, so I'll try to get it looked at sooner rather than later.

If it was just £45 for a wheel alignment I'd go for it, however I've heard the 3D wheel alignment needed is more like £250 from a stealer. Anyone know any indies in the Reading area who can do it for less?

Also, swapping wheels is out as they are wider on the back than the front and tyres are directional.

Thanks