220 CDI steering left

[Zorro]

As a newcomer to the site I may be going over an old topic, but I couldn't find anything in a search.
My car is 2001 220 CDI estate , bought when it was a year old. The steering has a definite pull to the left , not markedly so but enough to mean that when travelling, say, on a motorway you always have to keep slight left hand pressure to maintain straight-line travelling. When I questioned a dealership about this, they said it was characteristic of this car.
Is this really so ? Do others find this ? It seems strange that Mercedees would sell a car with this oddity. Is it because the car is designed for the camber of roads of continental driving and hasn't been modified for the UK ? Is there a remedy ?

 

[Francois]

There are a few possibles:

1. The alignment is incorrectly set. Take the car to an alignment center to check this.(Check alignment, camber, castor)

2. If the alignment is corrent, then it could be the tires. Change the front tires around, but make sure to change the tires and not the wheels. Thus, keep the left rim on the left side of the vehicle and the same for the right one but change the tires around.

3. Accident damage. Even if the car was not in a big accident, the previous owner could have knocked a stone or pavement and in the process have bended a rod, etc. A bigger accident could have bend the chassis slightly.

4. Lower control arm bushing. Have a decent mechanic check the lower control arms for bushing wear.

That's my two p worth.

 

[Spike]

This *has* been covered many a time before and definately seems to be a characteristic of the cars.

Mercedes claim it is a safety feature of the car, designed so that you do not inadvertantly drift into the path of oncoming cars should you fall asleep or lose concentration.

My personal experience is that these cars are just very sensitive to road camber as when driving on the continent, mine pulled to the right.

 

[NormanB]

I agree with Spike and without any disrespect to Francois:

I would be circumspect about where you take the Merc for an alignment check.

The facility needs the right kit AND the right techs who understand the complexities of the Merc.

Otherwise you may do more harm than good.

A good clue to misalignment is the pattern of tyre wear

 

[Francois]

Agreed.

 

[Zorro]

Thank you all for your replies. Sounds as if I shall have to learn to love this feature of the car . The sensitivity to camber sounds right and it's interesting to learn that the problem is reversed on continental roads. I have my doubts about Mercedes claim that this is a safety feature - do all Mercedes cars now come with a deliberate tendency to veer built in ? I doubt it . More likely it's just a piece of PR spin.
Thanks again. At least I know now that it's not just my car with the problem.

 

[Andy]

Hi Zorro,

Firstly it is a characteristic of these cars that they pull or wonder to the left. Started way back in the introduction of the 123 model.

Over the years various modifications mainly to the steering alignment have been introduced with varying amounts of sucess.

It was interesting to note that 203's new C class have the same tenedency.

I would hazard a guess that the person who told you it was a safety feature was a salesman. If that is the case ENOUGH SAID.


This only becomes (in my experience) a problem when you let it become one by constantly observing this characteristic.

I doubt you would find any solace by having a wheel alignment done. But if your tyres have covered a few miles I would try swopping them from side to side.


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Spike]

Andy Wrote

But if your tyres have covered a few miles I would try swopping them from side to side.

Woah there.... dont rush out and do this before checking if you have directional tyres or not!

 

[dieselman]

Most MBs do exhibit wander on the road camber, try driving on the wrong side of the road to see if the pull is reversed.

This is due to MB cars having a light steering setup for precise handling so less straight ahead function.

My own car was deffinately pulling to the left, not just camber wander. Two MB dealers have looked at this and the tracking was set by the first and the second said no action necessary even though the o/s wheel had too much castor.

You can buy special wishbone bolts to correct castor and camber.
I have tackled mine myself and it is now much better, not only having stopped the pull but has also given the steering much more feel.

 

[Zorro]

Thanks for the further responses and information. It's good to be able to get real information from people who've 'been there, done that' and are prepared to take the time to write . Much appreciated.
Re. Andy's point about it only being a problem if you let it become one, I accept that but having driven various cars - some ordinary, some luxury -over a 30 year period you kind of get used to only needing the lightest of touches when travelling in a straight line on, say, an all but empty stretch of motorway. It's something you'd expect in a quality car.
I'll certainly look in to changing tyres around (noting if directional or not - thanks Spike)
Interesting to see that Dieselman has found a remedy with special parts. Were these actually Mercedes parts ? Is this something that Mercedes officially recognise as a problem and can/will do something about ?

 

[dieselman]

MB do recognise the problem and the bolts are readily available from the dealer.

You really need to have a full geometory check performed. MB dealer about £100-£150, optiflec £40. Any 4 wheel alighnment centre SHOULD be able to do this job.

My car was checked by the MB dealer and the print-out said too much castor. If you know how much you can easily do the maths.

A simple check is to measure the wheelbase both sides of the car on flat ground and the steering exactly centered.

MB dealers have a tech bulletin that advises compensating with the camber. Bad idea, this will wear the tyres heavily.

You can feel when it's set-up correctly as the steering gains more dead ahead feel and stops feeling springy.