Couple of questions about my W202

[sagalout]

Well, 3 really

W202 1997 C200 ELEGANCE

1. Is it normal for the return steering to be very, well, weak? If I go around a 90 degree corner and then let the wheel slip through my hands, in most cars its quite a strong and instant return, but in the W202 is weak to the point where i feel more comfortable actually steering the wheel back again. Other than that the steering itself is fine. Very light and precise.

2. Air conditioning - According to the manual aircon is on all the time unless you press the EC button, which kind of seems opposite to what I woud expect. It hasnt been warm enough for me to really tell if its on or not so just thought one of you knowledgeable people could set my mind at rest.

3. Motorway Driving. I get ever such a slight vibration through the steering wheel at 80mph. Vibration is almost too strong a word, but it is noticeable. Is this normal - ie just a result of the PAS not cosseting my hands from the road as the speed increases or should I check the tracking etc? I could be just being hyper sensitive as its my first new car for 7 years so I'm almost looking for things to go wrong!

Many thanks in advance

 

[JonLittlechild]

It's possible that 1 and 3 are related. It's generally the geometry of the front tracking that makes the steering return to centre (a car that is more toe-out will have a weaker return than a car that is more toe-in I believe). If the geometry is mis-aligned, this could be causing or contributing to a vibration. Obviously, the other thing to do is get the balance of the front wheels checked.

 

[grasmere]

Hi Sagalout, you've got a pm

 

[nickmann]

1- Yes. It will seem doubly so if you are used to front wheel drive, but yes they are very slow to self centre. A four-wheel check at a dealer is V V expensive, but will make a world of difference if your alignment is off.

2- EC means "Economy" which means no air-con. Light on=air-con off.

3- Not normal. Suggest inspect tyres and/or get a balance check.

 

[sagalout]

Cheers guys,

Grasmere - will give you a call some time

Nickmann - When you say V V expensive, how much would you estimate?

Looking at the tyres the NS front does look to be slightly more worn on the outside, so maybe thats a sign that things arent aligned properly?

And yes, I am coming from an FWD car. It seems more pronounced nearer full lock - in fact at completely full lock it pretty much sits there at slow speeds unless I steer back.

I took it for a 40 mile run the other day and it does seem to track straight - there was no pulling on the motorway, just a very very slight 'wobble' to the steering wheel above 80.

 

[gaz_l]

I took it for a 40 mile run the other day and it does seem to track straight - there was no pulling on the motorway, just a very very slight 'wobble' to the steering wheel above 80.

Sounds like wheel balance then, I had the same thing after I picked up my C43. Got the front wheels balanced (only cost £10 as I took it in for 2 new rear tyres and got them to do the balance while it was up on blocks anyway), hey presto it's back to a silky smooth ride .

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[lotusmark2]

To increase the centreing you need to increase the castor angle, worth getting the front end double checked to be on the safe side

 

[nickmann]

Cheers guys,

Nickmann - When you say V V expensive, how much would you estimate?

QUOTE]

I had mine done twice, the first time was £290 including corrective action for camber on two corners, and some replacement bushes.

Then I kerbed it, and had it checked again which cost £100.

Bear in mind I am talking about full 4-wheel geometry check, not a half-a-job tracking check. The 202 is very reliant on rear geometry, so I'd recommend a full check.

I'd suggest you don't try and cut corners by getting the balljoints/tierods etc checked first. These are part of the full geo check which includes every linkage and every balljoint.

It is a very handy way of walking away knowing that everything is spot on, not just your tracking, and personally I find it very satisfying to drive a car that goes in a straight line, and responds properly to the steering wheel.