Definative explination.... Pull left

[trapperjohn]

Well done and congratulations. Great ethics. Hats off to you.

On a selfish note - I thank my lucky stars you are coming to Manchester too.

Best of Luck in the venture.

 

[John]

All due respect to you Tony. Great to hear of a successful and expanding business in these testing times. Your chaps sorted my W211 over a year ago with the help of a couple bolts and it tracks beautifully still.

Ditto.

...and I have to say the difference in handling on mine is like night and day compared to before - and I assumed I wouldn't even notice.

Mine wasn't even that much out but it is so precise now on roundabouts...

Unbelievable.

 

[Dieselman]

Mine wasn't even that much out but it is so precise now on roundabouts...

but left hand turns are now ditch finders...

 

[John]

but left hand turns are now ditch finders...

Which direction do you turn when you take the 'straight over' turn off a roundabout which joins two dual carriageways together at 60/70mph?

 

[Dieselman]

Which direction do you turn when you take the 'straight over' turn off a roundabout which joins two dual carriageways together at 60/70mph?

Why turn at all...

 

[bolide]

One other point on this: Even with perfect alignment a car will tend to pull if the tyres are worn conically or assymetrically. Fitting new tyres is an extreme approach to solving the problem but a logical step if the problem is bad

It also follows that the car should be aligned when new tyres are fitted to make the car handle properly and to prevent future tyre wear

Nick Froome

 

[markjay]

One other point on this: Even with perfect alignment a car will tend to pull if the tyres are worn conically or assymetrically. Fitting new tyres is an extreme approach to solving the problem but a logical step if the problem is bad

It also follows that the car should be aligned when new tyres are fitted to make the car handle properly and to prevent future tyre wear

Nick Froome

Rotating the wheels around (e.g. crossing over the two front ones) to see if this affects the problem is one way of knowing if the pull is tyres-related before deciding to invest in new set of tyres.

 

[John]

Why turn at all...

On the roundabout I am thinking of, I will be doing a 'General Lee' over it...

 

[itsjiggy]

Has anybody had this issue when they change the adjuster bolts and the anti roll bar bolts crack in this process? I am due to go in a couple of days to get this done, but am worried about if this cracking occurs then could turn into a big job which I was told could be 'unlimited labour' charge. I have posted on a similar forum, but haven't had much luck in finding someone who has been through this...

 

[kamalpatel12448]

Has anybody had this issue when they change the adjuster bolts and the anti roll bar bolts crack in this process? I am due to go in a couple of days to get this done, but am worried about if this cracking occurs then could turn into a big job which I was told could be 'unlimited labour' charge. I have posted on a similar forum, but haven't had much luck in finding someone who has been through this...

I had to have one adjuster bolt and it was not a big job. Really don't see why other bolts would crack in the process and have not heard of this. Do let everyone know how you get on.
Kamal

 

[c63chris]

Just found this thread and really useful as my C63 has a definite pull left. Does anyone know of a good wheel alignment centre in the Sussex area or will someone with a Hunter machine suffice?

 

[BlackC55]

Has anybody had this issue when they change the adjuster bolts and the anti roll bar bolts crack in this process? I am due to go in a couple of days to get this done, but am worried about if this cracking occurs then could turn into a big job which I was told could be 'unlimited labour' charge. I have posted on a similar forum, but haven't had much luck in finding someone who has been through this...

The bolts don't crack they snap. It is also a very common occurrence. To drill them out does take time but no longer than 45 mins per bolt. There are 4 of them.

 

[crockers]

Rotating the wheels around (e.g. crossing over the two front ones) to see if this affects the problem is one way of knowing if the pull is tyres-related before deciding to invest in new set of tyres.

Surely this depend on your tyres? Some are "directional " therefore doing what you've said would have them revolving the wrong way.

 

[John]

Surely this depend on your tyres? Some are "directional " therefore doing what you've said would have them revolving the wrong way.

Directional tyres can be swapped because they will be rotating in the same direction.

It's asymmetrics that might be an issue...

 

[Dieselman]

Directional tyres can be swapped because they will be rotating in the same direction.

It's asymmetrics that might be an issue...

Other way round.

 

[C30077]

+++1

 

[dno64]

Pulling Left

Hi, Just read the sticky about this. on 1st Sept took delivery of a C63 Coupe. This appears to have the same symptom, pulling slightly left. What seems to make it appear worse is that it then pulls the steering wheel slightly off centre. Is this a 'normal' characteristic due to our roads or something I should expect my supplying dealer to rectify.
Thanks

 

[jayzee]

I have a E320 CDI (2003) - and driving in Denmark (where we drive in the "right" side of the road!)
It is pulling/drifting to the right!
I have a lot of confidence in the German engineers that designed this car and I'm sure that it is not drifting because of the road. Why should BMW or Audi engineers be any better at solving this "problem"?
My car is drifting no matter what road I drive. And it is genrally difficult to keep it on a straight line!
I have looked at some German forums and I guess the problem is very well known among MB owners.
The solution is a VERY precise adjusting of the wheels alingnment! "VERY precise" is not only within the limitations given in the MB Service Manual, but much less.
Last time it was done on my car the garage also managed to get the steering wheel "offset" so it is not centered anymore (it is not pointing straight ahead when the wheels are :-() So I'm going to get the guys to do a REAL GOOD job next time and guess that will fix the issue.

 

[Rupert44]

A very interesting article.
I am new to this list and have a 1997 SLK with no pull to left or right however crossing the white line at over 60 requires great concentration as it wanders wildly. on the motorway no problem.
Lookin at it from the front there looks like a lot of neg camber on the fronts.

The car has Brabus wheels and fat tyres on it.

What is the correct camber angle and is it an easy job to adjust.

Rup

 

[wheels-inmotion]

Historically stock ( center point ) camber positions would work fine. Odd handling like you describe doesn't fit an imbalance in cross camber or castor positions, it reads more like a toe issue which if wrong allows lateral deflection, in this event you the driver needs to correct the deflection.

Imbalance in camber or castor would offer a constant complaint rather than a variant due to road perturbations.