HELP - Car drifts to the right after repair

[TheGrocer]

8 weeks ago my 2004 W211 had a collison with another car on the drivers side which forced me to hit the kerb at about 20 MPH wrecking the passenger side wheel and tyre. The damage to the drivers side front wing and headlight has been repaired by the MB bodyshop in Maidstone.

2 weeks ago I was informed the car was repaired however it was drifting to the left during the test drive so they sent it to be inspected by the MB workshop. The MB workshop said that the front drivers side tye should be replaced as it was 80% worn which has been done. The information I have was that it was driving within acceptable tolernaces and the car came back today.

I took it for a test drive and the car drifts to the left and does not drive they way it did before the accident ie in a straight line!.
Do you think the steering has been damaged? what else may have been damaged to cause this?

I assume the chasis was checked however athe impact was more of a glancing blow but the main inpact was me being forced into a high kerb and wrecking the passengers side wheel.

Tomorrow I send the car back as its not driving properly and Im well chumed off that my pride and joy has been damaged like this.

Your thoughts as allways greatfully recieved. John

 

[LTD]

Probably needs the wheels properly aligned.

 

[wemorgan]

Ask MB for the print out from the 3D geometry check they did.

 

[TheGrocer]

Ask MB for the print out from the 3D geometry check they did.

The bodyshop tells me the 3D check came back fine? And the wheels have been fully alighned...still pulls to the left???

 

[wemorgan]

The bodyshop tells me the 3D check came back fine? And the wheels have been fully alighned...still pulls to the left???

But they should be able to provide you with a print out of the values.
With that you can then check at another specialist:

1. the values MB measured are the actual values
2. whether those values are within the given tolerances.

Did you also ask them whether they checked that the car body was straight before taking those measurements?

You're after something like this:

 

[saorbust]

Sounds like a daft suggestion - but is the right side tyre as worn as the left was prior to replacement ? Tyre pressures ? I know - sometimes simple things make a lot of difference.....

 

[TheGrocer]

But they should be able to provide you with a print out of the values.
With that you can then check at another specialist:

1. the values MB measured are the actual values
2. whether those values are within the given tolerances.

Did you also ask them whether they checked that the car body was straight before taking those measurements?

You're after something like this:

Wow - Thanks for taking the trouble to provide this detailed info. I will ask them to provide this info as they have said its has a Laser Check? The two tyres are brand new as replaced by the body shop. Tyre pressured spot on. Will keep you posted thanks again

 

[TheGrocer]

Wow - Thanks for taking the trouble to provide this detailed info. I will ask them to provide this info as they have said its has a Laser Check? The two tyres are brand new as replaced by the body shop. Tyre pressured spot on. Will keep you posted thanks again

Now I find out that the check completed on the steering and frame was NOT a geometery check specific to MB but a general check!!

Car goes into the MB workshop for a FULL check on Monday, will keep you posted.

Thanks again for your help

 

[Dave Richardson]

My 220 CdI drifted to the left, had the wheels aligned twice (in 2 different tyre depot & 1 did a 4 wheel alignment) & it still drifted; recently a "Star" reading indicated a fault in the steering idle sensor when corrected the problem was sorted

Dave