W124 Tracking

[5131paul]

Hi there,

When I recently bought my 1995 E300D (24 valve) - the front nearside tyre was scrubbed almost bald on the outside. I suspected the tracking was way off - it also had a bit of a 'tramline' feel to it when the steering was dead centre.

Went to my local tyre fitter for a couple of new front tyres and for the tracking to be sorted out - but their chart was a bit ambiguous about what the settings should be. Can anyone help with what the correct toe in etc settings should be?

Many thanks

Paul

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Look on here for a Local Indy Garage

 

[tjamesbo]

I had problems getting tyre places to check my 124 estate after the missus spun it after hitting some diesel on a roundabout. Some places mumble about loading it and ballast etc. If you live in the midlands i can reccomend Tyres R us at aston They use a 4 wheel laser setup and will check and adjust for £20 they have done my 220TE and my C240 now and my E wears its tyres beautifully even all round nearly 2yrs later.

 

[5131paul]

I'm based in the North East - but thanks anyway.

Cheers

Paul

 

[hirsty]

My new-to-me-yesterday W124 Estate has the same tracking problem with a bald outside edge on the nearside front tyre.

I've just made an appointment with Q Motors, Addlestone (spoke to Douglas) who are listed in the Indy Workshops thread & they reckon it's cheaper to replace the rods both sides than to spend an hours labour freeing-off rusted originals.

They do this a lot seemingly, so have a 'fixed price' for the job of £172+VAT which includes two new rods at £28 (ish) each and 2-hours labour at £56. Whilst they're under there they're happy to check what's what in the general area too & I can have a free courtesy car too apparently. Will feedback next week.

 

[Bolide]

I wouldn't attempt any tracking changes on a W124 except at a specialist with a laser tracking setup. These systems read everything, front & rear, and an experienced operator can see what is going on. Just tracking the front of the car is no guarantee that it will drive straight

The front track rod ends do tend to freeze on W124s but they can normally be eased by talking the whole track rod off and loosening the end with the or in a vice

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[hirsty]

Had the track rods replaced today & front wheel alignment done - the "before & after" printouts from their machine 'look' quite sophisticated.

Car drives a lot straighter now, and the steering wheel is happy to sit centred without pulling to the left now at speeds up to & over the legal limit (you have to try briefly on the way home officer).

Two-hours labour, £59 parts + VAT = £201. Quite happy with that, including loan of characterful '88 190E for the day ...