W204 wheel alignment woes at Kw**fit

[OneForTheRoad]

several people have been kind enough to tell me that, but that's not what we're talking about here is it? Never mind the fact that after getting them fitted it didn't pull, that started after alignment! and never mind the fact various garages and mechanics have told me it's not a big deal.

Nevermind eh.

 

[hebdenwill]

Nevermind eh.

I appreciate your contribution and assume you weren't trying to derail the convo, but I've actually had this tyre combo on in snow recently, and it drove beautifully. Couldn't make it slide unless I really tried (on a safe, quiet business estate where I work) and even then that was at worse angle + speed than I'd expected. In addition to this I've done about 1.5k miles on this setup, some of it in heavy rain on the motorway, and apart from pulling left I couldn't have faulted it once.

Still, it didn't cling anywhere near as well in the snow as the Renault Trafic I used to drive in Morzine with winter tyres all round...up to Avoriaz in thick snow with no chains, squeaky bum time indeed!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I appreciate your contribution and assume you weren't trying to derail the convo, but I've actually had this tyre combo on in snow recently, and it drove beautifully. Couldn't make it slide unless I really tried (on a safe, quiet business estate where I work) and even then that was at worse angle + speed than I'd expected. In addition to this I've done about 1.5k miles on this setup, some of it in heavy rain on the motorway, and apart from pulling left I couldn't have faulted it once.

Still, it didn't cling anywhere near as well in the snow as the Renault Trafic I used to drive in Morzine with winter tyres all round...up to Avoriaz in thick snow with no chains, squeaky bum time indeed!

All I can say is you are the author of your own misfortune by using Kwik fit. I once went to tyre spot with hunter equipment and tbh the operator was simply moving things to get from red to green. When I mentioned camber bolts , he didn't have a fkn clue what I was on about. From now on I'd pay over the odds and use a mb dealer for any suspension/ alignment work.

Id also inform your insurance that your running on mixed tyres . It's a modification from standard .

 

[hebdenwill]

All I can say is you are the author of your own misfortune by using Kwik fit. I once went to tyre spot with hunter equipment and tbh the operator was simply moving things to get from red to green. When I mentioned camber bolts , he didn't have a fkn clue what I was on about. From now on I'd pay over the odds and use a mb dealer for any suspension/ alignment work.

Id also inform your insurance that your running on mixed tyres . It's a modification from standard .

yeah, fair point, I won't be using them again. I was hoping the pros would get it back to how it was first time, but I'll give them another chance and update the thread if I get some good news.

Re mixed tyres and insurance I'll take the risk, not that I see it as such. Many threads online discussing this point

 

[Smiley]

What brand are the tyres?
I bought an MB years ago and that pulled to the left to an annoying degree. I had the alignment done twice; no joy. After I replaced the cheap (but hardly worn) tyres that the car came with for some Michelins it was fixed - drove perfectly straight. .

 

[hebdenwill]

What brand are the tyres?
I bought an MB years ago and that pulled to the left to an annoying degree. I had the alignment done twice; no joy. After I replaced the cheap (but hardly worn) tyres that the car came with for some Michelins it was fixed - drove perfectly straight. .

The fronts are called RoadX, but I did have the Falken all seasons on there at first as the fronts needed replacing second. However the pull didn't start after replacing the tyres, it reared its head after alignment. It drove fine with old worn bridgestones as well

 

[zipdip]

Well I have never used Kwik fit ,but in defence of this type outfit,I used Formula 1 for a tracking issue they have Hunter equipment and did a great job.

 

[BlackC55]

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linked is a very poorly filmed video showing how much it pulls without steering input.

That drift is not too bad. It could just be the camber of the road but its difficult to tell. Have you had all your suspension checked front and rear for wear and play? What make tyres do you have? The make and tread pattern play a part in how the car feels and the drifting. Get it checked by someone that knows these cars well.