Wandering steering

[swithin]

Hi all, just had new discs and tyres rotated. Driving back car was all over the place. Took 99 SL500 back and they changed the knackered steering damper. Steering better but nothing like it was before I had any work done, any thoughts by anyone before I take it back to the specialist again?
When braking car pulls sharply left, tramlines dangerously, doesn't steer straight without constant slight corrections, no confidence in my baby anymore.

Cheers

Gary

 

[kid-jensen]

Maybe ther broke/damaged something on the steering or suspension when walloping the disk off?

 

[renault12ts]

Try putting the tyres back as they were.

 

[Flyinspanner]

New discs -and I assume new pads? Maybe it's just bedding in the pads.
If you didn't do pads too - that could be the issue.
It could possibly be a sticky calliper making it pull to one side.
Hopefully the mating faces for the replacement discs were clean.

Rotate the tyres back, does it improve things? Could just be the slight differing wear you have noticed.

If steering twitchy, check your tie rod ends, and steering rack security, rack mounting bushes.

Did you have 4 wheel geometry check? Go to somewhere which has a "Hunter geometry checking system". - much better than 'wheel alignment'.

 

[swithin]

Do you think putting wheels back as they were will make that much difference? I'll give it a go.

 

[renault12ts]

Do you think putting wheels back as they were will make that much difference? I'll give it a go.

Who knows, but, as you say, give it a go.

You can't lose by doing this...and it might work. After all it is one of the fundamental things that has changed since you put the car into the garage.

Do you have a staggered set up?

Maybe the tyres are directional?

 

[RichardF]

Somethings dangerously wrong. If your car pulls sharply to the left it, shouldn't have been given back to you like this. I would hope they change pads and discs, discs only is asking for trouble. Re the twitchy feel, have you checked the tyre pressures, some numpty may have over inflated them.

No doubt the steering damper needed changing anyway, but it wouldn't cure/cause those symptoms. Any specialist worth there salt would know that.

Worth a read of this, although I doubt it's your immediate problem if it only started after new brakes.

Rear Suspension Refresh (R129) Mercedes SL & (W124)

 

[swithin]

Thanks to all for the replies. I've just rotated the tyres again and gone for a blast, and once again it was a blast not a nightmare. Can't believe that rotating the tyres caused the steering to go that far off kilter, the rear tyres weren't bad when I put them on the front.
Next job, get neighbour to help take off panoramic roof, summers here

 

[RichardF]

Thanks to all for the replies. I've just rotated the tyres again and gone for a blast, and once again it was a blast not a nightmare. Can't believe that rotating the tyres caused the steering to go that far off kilter, the rear tyres weren't bad when I put them on the front.
Next job, get neighbour to help take off panoramic roof, summers here

I'm pleased you're sorted.

I wonder if the tyre pressures were re-set when the wheels were rotated. Mines quite sensitive to front tyre pressures, I keep them on the minimum.

 

[Bellow]

It's a struggle to believe people still rotate tyres.
The theory is that it spreads the wear but within that is recognition that tyres bed to their particular 'corner'. Obviously, rotating them sets them on the path of a new bedding in process during which contact with the road is compromised.

 

[renault12ts]

I am glad it solved your issue. As above, I didn't think people rotated tyres anymore.

 

[rorf]

Rotating tyres is absolute nonsense maybe it worked with the old crossplys, but radials is a no no. .

 

[kid-jensen]

Another problem with rotating tyres is that they all wear out at the same time,which means a big bill.

Half that bill is more managable.