W203 - track rod end MOT failure

[timk]

Had my track rod ends replaced on the C55 today by MB as part of the MOT (under warranty thankfully). My steering wheel is ever so slightly off centre as a result - should they perform a geometry check and wheel alignment after fitting new track rod ends!?! I don't think they have done, although that is separate from the alignment of the steering wheel itself I think

 

[misfire84]

they should of redone the alignment when they changed the rod ends , the stering wheel alignment is done at the same time as the tracking

 

[timk]

they should of redone the alignment when they changed the rod ends , the stering wheel alignment is done at the same time as the tracking

none too impressed with MB on this, called up the service manager who I dealt with to check whether they did the tracking and was met with a lengthy silence and then a promise to check the job sheet and call me back. No call back...

The response I got when I asked him whether it was routine to do the tracking after replacing track rod ends was 'not neccessarily'. This doesn't sound quite right. My steering wheel should be centred at the very least even if they refuse to do the tracking I would have thought.

 

[misfire84]

the tracking should always be redone or at least checked if any thing is replaced on the steering as the rod joints have to be removed and replaced in doing this the adjustment has to be disturbed ... I have herd of people claiming that if the threads are measured then there is no need to adjust , but they were cowboys .. any engineer would tell you the tracking MUST be redone. that is why your sterring wheel is ofset the tracking IS out . and if left then you will start to see abnormal tyre wear ,then try claiming a new tyre from the dealer !

 

[siomalair]

re track rod ends Hows your tyre wear?

The wheel alignment (tracking) is very important and if it's not right poor steering control and tyre wear will definately take place MB should realign your steering wheel using the track rod end threading. And. your steering wheel should be straight after it is done, Take your car back and don't stop pestering them until you are satisfied that it's correct

 

[nigel cross]

The response I got when I asked him whether it was routine to do the tracking after replacing track rod ends was 'not neccessarily'. This doesn't sound quite right.
He's talking b*ll*cks, any change of steering parts the tracking has to be checked,or you get excessive tyre wear, and the steering will probably feel different.

 

[timk]

He's talking b*ll*cks, any change of steering parts the tracking has to be checked,or you get excessive tyre wear, and the steering will probably feel different.

I was pretty sure he wasn't right when he said that - annoyingly the steering does feel different - slightly vague. As the car has brand new Dunlops all round so I'm not really wanting any excessive tyre wear!

Irritating - you would really expect better from an MB UK owned franchised dealership, I'll be making a big noise when the friendly lady from MB customer service calls to ask for my feedback on the experience...

 

[Niks]

Im having the track rod ends changed on my car tomorrow by my indi, and the last thing he said to me was "and you must get the wheel alignment done again after this".

 

[timk]

Im having the track rod ends changed on my car tomorrow by my indi, and the last thing he said to me was "and you must get the wheel alignment done again after this".

Phoned MB UK and their line was the same as the dealer - i.e. they do not automatically check the tracking after doing the rod ends. They only do it if the car displays symptoms of the tracking being out.

Seems like cr*p to me, I have a car that does not feel like it did before it went in, and the steering wheel isn't centred. Great service, thanks MB

Not only that, the dealer is not returning my phone calls.

 

[Niks]

Basically, 2 months ago I had the steering damper and steering rod replaced at the same time. I did the wheel alignment again and clearly it was off. The only problem I faced was that the nearside track rod was seized up so they had to use a blow torch to free it up to progress with the alignment. They managed to get it to a decent level, but after the track rod cooled down, it went slightly off again sending my steering wheel being off centre.

So since then ive been driving with the steering wheel turned slightly to the left while the car is going straight. Its a strange sensation as it feels your driving the car at an angle!

Hence after I get my car back, with new track rods, bushes and ball joints, im going in for a full on alignment again and have my steering position corrected.

 

[SAFC]

Your Tracking is Definitely Out !!

Had my track rod ends replaced on the C55 today by MB as part of the MOT (under warranty thankfully). My steering wheel is ever so slightly off centre as a result - should they perform a geometry check and wheel alignment after fitting new track rod ends!?! I don't think they have done, although that is separate from the alignment of the steering wheel itself I think

I've just been getting onto tracking and the latest devices they use because my wife's car (Toyota Corolla) was vibrating at speed.

Centralisation of the steering wheel is the place to start and the wheel is usually locked while the tracking is set against ALL FOUR road wheels.

Once aligned at the track rod ends the wheel will remain centralised.

I'm afraid whoever's done your tracking - if they've done it at all - have not done it properly.

John.

 

[SAFC]

Had my track rod ends replaced on the C55 today by MB as part of the MOT (under warranty thankfully). My steering wheel is ever so slightly off centre as a result - should they perform a geometry check and wheel alignment after fitting new track rod ends!?! I don't think they have done, although that is separate from the alignment of the steering wheel itself I think

... Hi. Me again.

The centralisation of the steering wheel is NOT unconnected with the setting up of the road wheel alignment.

I suggest you take your car to the nearest decent Tyre Services (make sure thay have the mirror and beam type four-wheel based equipment) and get them to do the tracking properly for you.

Probably they'll charge you around £25. A rip-off but the car will be right.

John.

 

[nigel cross]

If the steering wheel position has changed, and they have only changed 1 track rod end. it must indicate that the tracking has changed as you have to move the wheel off centre to drive it in a straight line.

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
With the steering wheel off centre the traction control system may not operate correctly, as it thinks the car is turning allbeit only slightly.
What ever you do not allow them to remove/replace the wheel to straighten it.
Even without traction control cars with a steering box the steering wheel position relative to the steering box arm is important as it can cause increased/decreased steering full lock and problems and an unwillingness to straighten up from lock.

 

[JOEY]

In a nut shell all that is off is there will be more threads showing on one of the track rods than the other i.e. where the track rods and ends screw together. Whoever did the tracking may not have counted the threads to make sure that they are even. Also normaly you use a spring loaded gizmo to keep the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. And lastly, don`t be fobbed off, it should be all spot on and be strong but firm and you should get a result.

 

[nigel cross]

Counting the threads is probably the cause of the problem. It should only be used as a starting point and the tracking should be correctly checked afterwards

 

[timk]

I've just been getting onto tracking and the latest devices they use because my wife's car (Toyota Corolla) was vibrating at speed.

Centralisation of the steering wheel is the place to start and the wheel is usually locked while the tracking is set against ALL FOUR road wheels.

Once aligned at the track rod ends the wheel will remain centralised.

I'm afraid whoever's done your tracking - if they've done it at all - have not done it properly.

John.

MB said that they only check the tracking if the car displays symptoms of problems - hence they appear to be saying they haven't checked it, despite the fact that it clearly isn;t right. Steering feels crap, and I'm getting fed up of driving it when it feels like this - still waiting for MB UK to come back to me as they had to contact MB dealer on my behalf as the dealer didn't return my calls. To have to get an independent outfit to do something MB should have done is poor IMO, but is probabky what I will have to do. I won't take my car back to this particular MB dealer again. The steering felt absolutely fine before the rod ends were changed, so MB have actually introduced the problem - the whole thing is just really really poor customer service.

 

[JOEY]

What I was trying to say was that the amount of threads was uneven on either sides, I did n`t mean simply do it the same as it was before.

 

[timk]

So Merc UK contacted the dealer and I have had an apology - the car was looked at today and they were supposed to be doing the tracking. When I turned up to pick the car up, they tell me the tracking couldn't be done properly because the bottom steering arm needs replacement meaning they couldn't get the tracking milimetre perfect. Odd they didn't pick up on this steering arm problem when they did the MOT.... They are meeting the cost of this, apparently not covered under my Tier 1 warranty - which I thought surprising. A semi-result I guess - but tbh, I shouldn't have needed to escalate to MBUK in the first place. Now have a '10' reg C200 Cdi to keep for the weekend - nice and smooth but boy do I miss the V8!!

 

[Rory]

MB said that they only check the tracking if the car displays symptoms of problems...

......

To have to get an independent outfit to do something MB should have done is poor IMO,

That's the position I was in with the "drift left" and stability issues on my car. The dealer test drove it and said it was fine so they wouldn't check the alignment. The outside edge wear on the tyres (noted on 2 MOTs) was explained away as "they all do that, sir".

Eventually had the opportunity to take it to WIM and the tracking was miles out, but equal - as if it had been set wrong on purpose. Complained to dealer and they ignored it. Service Manager told me I should buy a new car as mine is old now! I might do, but I'm not sure it'll be a Mercedes.