Do I need a geometry and alignment check?

[C240Sport97]

On Saturday, the following things were replaced on my 240k miles E230 210 estate:

1. Lower front arms (this is because the bushes were knackered)

2. Front ball joints

3. Front shock absorbers

4. Rear subframe mounts (2 in front and 2 in back)

The steering wheels is now slightly off center.

The car does not seem to be pulling to any side, and is driving straight and true.

I am about to set off on a 3000 mile roundtrip to the Algarve.

Would you recommend or do I need a geometry or alignment check?

 

[Rob77]

Yes

(Edit: I should add that I'm no expert and so feel free to wait for someone else to confirm or otherwise)

 

[lynall]

Well if its never had an alignment before i would say its now back to factory spec.

But and theres always a but, my front tyres wore the inside edges down to the canvas in 1600 miles whilst tromping around france, so for piece of mind i would get it checked, the tyres where fine before i left i had just recently bought the car.

Wheels in motion is highly recomended by everyone including me, my front tyres are still fine approx 6/7k later.

Not cheap approx £150 including the two new bolts you may need.

It runs straight and true at any speed no pulling etc.

You know the old saying about a halfpenny worth of tar?



Lynall

 

[C240Sport97]

car now booked in at Wheels in Motion first thing Weds morning.

 

[C240Sport97]

Car done at WIM this morning.

Rear was slightly off centre, but toe and camber all OK.

After rear fixed, front right toe went out.

Left front toe was quite a bit out.

All done.

Car feels right.

And the guys at WIM are very good and pleasant. Plus they made me a cup of tea

 

[AllanE]

"After rear fixed, front right toe went out" ???
How can changing something at the rear affect the front toe, which is the relationship between the two front wheels?

 

[wheels-inmotion]

"After rear fixed, front right toe went out" ???
How can changing something at the rear affect the front toe, which is the relationship between the two front wheels?

The reference point for the front toe is the rear thrust angle, once this is moved the front centre point moves so the wheels need adjusting to that new exact centre.