R129 Steering Idler bush replacement

[Pcn1]

I've had a problem with the steering pulling slightly to the left for a long time now. (1998 model, almost 89K on the clock running AMG wheels)
Had the car computer tracked last summer, all in spec, and it still did it. Just fitted a new set of tire's last few weeks, tracked again and it still pulls a little bit to left. Its only very minor but these things annoy me.
Guy at tire shop said the "bits" they touch, track rod ends etc. are all in good condition, so the problem must be somewhere else.

So as a first option, I've bought a new steering Idle bush from MB at £123. I've not read anywhere how many miles these things are good for, but after 24 years and 90K there must be some wear and deterioration ? Wonder if those wide alloys put extra wear on the rubber bushes as well ?

Has anyone done this job and got any advice to offer ? I've read the 6 cylinder cars offer more room to work, and the bold is re-tightened to 180Nm.

Thanks

 

[ray_hennig]

Has anyone done this job

I had this job done when the car was pulling to the right here in France and to the left in UK.

Does yours pull to the right if you're on the other side of the road?

The new idler solved it for me.

Good luck.

RayH

 

[Pcn1]

I've not tried that.
I've bought the Idler so will install anyway, as part of a long term suspension. steering refresh.
Be nice if this cures it first time !

 

[Co121]

I've not tried that.
I've bought the Idler so will install anyway, as part of a long term suspension. steering refresh.
Be nice if this cures it first time !

Hi did you fix your steering problem and was it the Idler because I am having the same problem mine is pulling to the left and I’ve had it all tracked up at Kwickfit

 

[ray_hennig]

I’ve had it all tracked up at Kwickfit

Hmmm. A mistake?

Others will know better than I but I would NOT use generic tyre places for my 124 unless they had solid expertise with a Hawkeye machine.

Others?

RayH

 

[Pcn1]

Hi did you fix your steering problem and was it the Idler because I am having the same problem mine is pulling to the left and I’ve had it all tracked up at Kwickfit

Hi,

Only got around to fitting it over the weekend, and sadly no it didn't cure the pull to the left, but did seem to take a little "play" out of the steering.
I had mine tracked at a performance tire specialist called Pro tire in Slough. They use a laser system with a screen you can see and when its all in the green your done, and they give you a print out.
Yet it still pulled after 2 attempts. So now the car is going to a friend of mine who runs a Porsche indie garage, and has a lot of experience of setting up the steering on race cars.
I'll report back after he's had a look.

 

[DrNick]

When I used protyre (they are a chain) and had laser tracking done they measured it as so far out of alignment that they had no idea how to adjust it back in. Turned out they had selected the wrong car details from the “library” and so were thinking it was a van. Fortunately they didn’t interfere with anything and didn’t charge me. From the printout of actual measurements they gave me I was able to identify that the measurements were ok and the car was in spec.
They didn’t figure it out at all - that was me reading the small print on the printout.
Probably your protyre is more competent than mine, but they are only as good as the tech doing it.

 

[millo777]

Have you read the thread in the stickies section about the pulling left problem?

 

[Pcn1]

Have you read the thread in the stickies section about the pulling left problem?

Only just noticed that ! Lots of good reading there.

My spanner man finally did a check. Firstly he found the adjusters where sized solid, and needed freeing off with penetrating fluid over night and a little heat the next day, so god knows what Pro-tyre did to adjust the alignment.
He straighten up the steering wheel, and did the alignment as per specs.
Result... it still drifts to the left, but not as quickly, takes less force pulling down on the steering wheel to the right to keep it straight and the steering wheel is centered as I go down the road.
Now.... I have a nice duel carriageway near by with a very distinct camber, and if I drive on the right lane (or the fast lane if you prefer) it gentle drifts to the right !

So I'm going with the conclusion its the road surface that effects the car, and I'll make the assumption the wide alloys amplify this condition.

Do I want to see a alignment specialist and have eccentric bolts fitted to compensate, not sure at the moment. I have a few other jobs to take care of first.

Lastly... if you do have alignment problems go see a specialist, or at least someone you trust to do a decent job. I think these Tyre fitters just want the money (Pro-tyre its £40 per axle ?) and make the minimal effort to do the job and get you out the door asap. These computerized machines are only as good as the guy operating it.
That's my conclusion anyway.