Wheel alignment advice on W208 CLK 55

[i_york]

Just had 2 new rear tyres (GY Eagle F1 GSD3's) fitted and had my alignment checked at the same time. I've attached a couple of screen grabs of the alignment figures. The screen with the red boxes is the front axle.

Do you think I should get the alignment done? The guy at the tyre place said I should definitely get my front alignment done because the tyres are wearing unevenly (wearing on the edges). But, obviously, he had a vested interest in persuading me to part with some more cash! They want £130 do sort-out the front alignment, which involves fitting a special bolt. Seems pretty steep, so I'll only have it done if you guys think it'll make a significant difference to tyre wear and handling.

By the way, this was a local place that I've used before and it's a very nice place... take a look at the waiting area in the attached pics; very swish! Not only that, but their prices are the best in the town... I paid £120 ea. for my 245/40 ZR17 Eagle F1 GSD-3's fully-fitted.

Cheers,
Ian.

 

[fuzzer]

as far as i knew the fronts wear on the edges and the rears in the middle.

Because youve got the Clk 55 , it will have larger tyres on the rear than on the front , so the old trick of swaping them caping corner to even wear won't work.

Just one of lifes little annoyances , unless im picking you up wrong.

 

[Dieselman]

It would be worth getting the front end sorted out.
Your car is out of tolerance on camber and o/s toe adjustment. The camber will require a special bolt but they are cheap (£7).

Whilst you're at it have the rear toe set correctly as well. This will stop the car steering to one side.

 

[i_york]

It would be worth getting the front end sorted out.
Your car is out of tolerance on camber and o/s toe adjustment. The camber will require a special bolt but they are cheap (£7).

Whilst you're at it have the rear toe set correctly as well. This will stop the car steering to one side.

Cheers for the advice. Actually, the car steers straight, so that's not a problem.

How much labour is involved in resetting the front camber? For example, If the bolt is £7 and it takes 30 mins, I certainly shouldn't be paying £130 for the privilege!

When I get this done, should I just plump for the factory alignment specs, or should I request tweaks for a performance set-up (eg. more negative camber, etc)?

Cheers,
Ian.

 

[Dieselman]

I would've thought the £130 would cover fitting the bolt and any other labour required to set the geometry properly.
The bolt takes a few minutes to fit once the car is on the ramps and there is no adjustment, it either works or it doesn't, it gives a fixed 3mm adjustment.
I think the p/n will be A202 330 00 18 but maybe A208 at the start.

£130 is actually quite a steep charge for 4 wheel alignment, I know of a local centre that charges £45 (last time I knew) but there are NO facilities for customers.
http://www.tyresgalore.co.uk/alignment.htm

Don't bother with any other tweaks unless you are unhappy with the existing setup. If you find the car understers too much you could have the rear toe set a bit more neutural but be ready for oversteer.

 

[Rory]

http://www.tyresgalore.co.uk/alignment.htm

I hope no-one with dial-up clicks on that - one of the images is 4.6MB.

 

[bitonw]

There is only 1 guy on this Island who really knows what he is talking about and thats is Tony from http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk give him a call / email and is willing to help you... Before you spend all your £

And remember is's not the sort of machine they use but the knowledge of the guy who operates it...

 

[jay73]

basically to do the job properly it needs to be lined up on a 4 wheel alignment machine to ensure backs to fronts are correct also...
The rear suspension setup with its torque arms etc.. is all adjustable so you really need someone with 4 wheel alignment and who know what they are doing.
Even more so with the amg power going through the back wheels..

p.s. my stealership charges around £200 for 4 wheel alignment

 

[bitonw]

Thats what exactly Tony has and can... He's even an teacher...