new tyres and alignment

[Anil]

I'm having new tyres fitted today and having the alignment done. The place where I'm having this done has a computerised camera-based 4-wheel alignment system.
Would the W203 need to have the 4-wheel alignment or would it just need the 2-wheel?

Is there any adjustment that can be made to the rears?

 

[GrahamC230K]

Why does it need it at all? Have you a problem? Otherwise, save your money.

 

[Anil]

I had the lower torsion bar bushes replaced recently, and the garage advised me to get the tracking done once things had settled in.
Also, I had noticed uneven wear on the front tyres on the outside tread.

 

[Flash]

If getting the aligment then get all four wheels front/rear done together (I doubt that any decent garage would do just the front aligment on a vehilce with four wheel alignment front/rear. On the W126 S Class only the front could be aligned and not the rear. Most places offer full four wheel alignment anyway and may still charge u the same just for doing the front and not rear depending on the outlet. Trouble that I had with my former W126 was that most wheel alignment specialists would not touch the car due to the previous older generation of Mercs being renowned to have bolts/components seize up (but mine were ok). All it would have meant was applying abit fo heat to help unseize them components.

 

[jgevers]

Hi,

I would advise a full 4 wheel alignment. This will get you a print out and will provide you with a base line. With a lot of roads in a dreadful state and the many speed bumps, I find that alignment will alter relatively quickly.

Having the print out also makes claiming from the local council for suspension damage due to poor roads an easier proposition.

regards,

Job

 

[niva441]

I believe W203's require 4 wheel laser alignment.

 

[Anil]

The car had the 4-wheel alignment, and as you said Job, I have a print out of the setup. With the tyre wear I had experienced on the front, I thought I’d have it done.
What a difference a new set of tyres makes to the ride – not to mention the handling.
I went for Conti Sport Contact 2’s in the end after reading many of the tyre threads on here.
It has been raining this morning, so I might go for a spin to see how they fair in the wet.

Thanks for the advice from all.

 

[splang]

So, what equipment is needed to perform a 4 wheel alignment service?

I heard that MB dealers need to do it (according to the guy at Kwik-Fit (yeah - I know!!))

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[jgevers]

So, what equipment is needed to perform a 4 wheel alignment service?

I heard that MB dealers need to do it (according to the guy at Kwik-Fit (yeah - I know!!))

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Any garage that has invested in a good digital imaging/infra red based alignment machine as well as knowledge will be able to set your MB up properly. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS LASER ALIGNMENT!!!!

The machines to look for are made by John Bean, Beisbarth or Hunter/pro-align. These will most likely have the right software to do a full geometry set-up on a MB and give a print-out with before and after settings.

The difference between dealer and independent should be price only.

regards,

Job

 

[splang]

Many thanks!
Have a rep point!

Steve

 

[Anil]

The guys that did mine have a Beisbarth setup.
I wanted to get a reality check on the pricing, so called Kwik-Fit to see if they could do this. Not all Kwik-Fit centres can do this, and the basic cost is from £60, and then a cost of about £20-£30 for each wheels adjustment.

 

[C43AMG]

Alignment Centre in Greenford (Middx) Alan Tel No 020 89987486. Was recomended, i have not used them myself.