Veer to left

[BlackC55]

Before you do anything, check there is nothing worn out on the suspension. Check tyres and inflation. Mb's don't like pointy tread patterns. It makes them camber sensitive.

 

[Oldchap]

Had a similar problem with my C250 CDI, wandered to the left in the UK and to the right in Europe, vibration at speeds above 70. Been chasing this for nearly 18 months, cut a long storey short, booked it in at WIM pretty much everything out, 2hrs later sorted, moral of story should have taken it there in the first place even though it was a 2 hour drive each way.

 

[bhartv]

Hi everyone. OK here's the latest update. Went to see Tony and Joe at WIM today and I have to say they have an amazing bit of kit down there with A1 service so highly recommended!

They did some proper diagnostics with the alignment, setting it perfectly, swapping the tyres over on the front and even swapping out my tyres with new ones. In the middle of all of this, I even nipped over to the Merc specialist to have my suspension re-checked with Star and have the latest coding updates to Airmatic applied from the Mercedes on-line server and the levels re-calibrated to eliminate any problems being caused from suspension.

However, despite all of the above, I am sorry to report that the steering wheel is still veering to the left unfortunately by itself when you let go of it - arrrrgghhh !!!! When you hold the steering wheel straight the car drives straight!

If it was like this since I first drove the car then I wouldn't even think twice but something is definitely wrong and we all just can't figure it out so far !!! Tony is thinking about it overnight as I am sure if anyone can get to the bottom of it then it's him but all ideas welcome!

Many tx. We need to get to the bottom of this as it's driving us all crazy!

 

[Rory]

However, despite all of the above, I am sorry to report that the steering wheel is still veering to the left unfortunately by itself when you let go of it - arrrrgghhh !!!! When you hold the steering wheel straight the car drives straight!

Almost completely different car, but mine still does that after 10 years of ownership.

Tony looked at it some years ago and more recently after a new set of tyres I took it to a recommended local place in Liverpool and they couldn't understand with the angles why the car doesn't run to the right. But it doesn't, it sort of rolls on left lock as the car runs left.

One thing I noticed recently (maybe it's always done this) is that if I hold the wheel straight as the car comes to a halt and then let go it, it springs a bit to the left. I don't know - maybe that's to be expected if holding it against the drift.

 

[Tim203]

These problems are always infuriating, years ago when cars were more straight forward it was only ever gonna be a bottom ball joint/ arm bush, or scrubbed tyre due to that or compensated tracking when all the other stuff had been put right! I think Black C55 is right with the suspension. My car had a front lower( described as upper) control ball joint worn and it translated into a scary step out of the back over pot holes at speed or certainly felt like it. Sometimes the wear in ball joints is end float but translates into huge movement when loaded and unless checked on a pit or 4 poster cannot always be easily detected.

 

[LudoCLS]

And when you cross the chanel car pulls right...right?
They should rid off all that bloody cambers!

 

[Rory]

And when you cross the chanel car pulls right...right?
They should rid off all that bloody cambers!

It's infuriating that my daughters' cheap superminis run straight as a die on the dead straight main road into town, whereas mine is doing its best to jump onto the pavement!

 

[bhartv]

Thx all for your comments ... I think the real mystery is why the steering wheel was not noticeably veering to the left some weeks ago of its own accord when let go of and now definitely appears to be doing so. It's even weirder though that a suspension calibration on Star, a perfect alignment from the lads at WIM, a swapping over of the tyres AND a changeout to new front tyres ALL do not stop the effect of the steering wheel veering! How annoying can that be ... so any ideas on what else we could try? Tx

 

[LudoCLS]

It's infuriating that my daughters' cheap superminis run straight as a die on the dead straight main road into town, whereas mine is doing its best to jump onto the pavement!

Same here with my wifes golf. Bigger cars pulls more though.
Took both my MBs to WIM and it was much better after...
Im poor now and driving old transit...hmm and it runs straight as nothing else

 

[Wheelsnuts]

I had a C class for three years and, no matter what I tried, it always had that tendency to veer slightly to the left. I just got to live with it.

 

[bhartv]

Did the car veer to the left or did the steering wheel itself turn to the left a bit when you let go of it? It's the latter I have a problem with ... tx

 

[Tim203]

Just Googled " Mercedes steering to the left" and brings an interesting page from Drury lane services.com. It might not give a solution for everyone but does indicate that Benz's unusual geometry makes the cars sensitive to changes. Perhaps someone knows why they do this. Is it to ensure better tyre wear, the possibility of a better steering lock or reduced kick back through the wheel. I think a stronger self centering ( or complete self centering!) would be good to have as well.

 

[bhartv]

Have just read the article and not entirel sure what the solution was at Drury Lane other than swapping all 4x wheels with another Mercedes they had? Dont understand how thst can help my situation? Tx

 

[Wheelsnuts]

Did the car veer to the left or did the steering wheel itself turn to the left a bit when you let go of it? It's the latter I have a problem with ... tx

Veered slightly when I took my hands off the wheel but the steering wheel movement was hardly noticable.

 

[Rory]

Did the car veer to the left or did the steering wheel itself turn to the left a bit when you let go of it? It's the latter I have a problem with ... tx

Mine turns itself a bit to the left and keeps rolling on more lock.

Some years ago Olly (BlackC55) posted up a TSB which covers some models - a few posts down here: Suspension and steering help please - MBClub UK - Bringing together Mercedes Enthusiasts .

...but I could never get the Mercedes dealer I use to agree there was a problem.

 

[c63amg88]

Try using nitrogen in the tyres instead of air

 

[bhartv]

Ok Tony at WIM having another closer look on Tuesday so will keep you all posted after that. He's determined to find the cause. What a great guy and have total confidence he will get to the bottom of it! Tx

 

[bhartv]

OK problem fixed after a LOT of help from Tony & Jo at WIM who felt that the ride height of the car just didn't look right to them. So they worked relentlessly hand in hand with the great service team at MB Colindale not to give up and finally got to the bottom of it. Turns out that the car needed:

(1) Suspension systems check
(2) Vehicle Ride height at front and rear axles check
(3) Additional operation for vehicle levelling on both axles using a Star Diagnosis to check all discovering that we needed ...
(4) replacement of the front and rear right body acceleration sensors due to 2x broken rods with part numbers: 2213202589 and 2213202489 followed by final
(5) additional operation for vehicle level on both axles using the Star to calibrate

So folks, car now drives perfectly straight and steering does not tilt or rotate or veer to the left anymore. Phew! What a complex one to find and fix ... but well done lads for persevering!