A C270 CDI estate that wonders

[290Gee]

Can somebody help or put some light to the steering problem on my C270 Cdi 2003 estate with the 225/50/16 tyre and wheel option and lowered “sport suspension. I find the car doesn’t wonder to the left, which I would expect with the camber but pulls, enough to be annoying. I have changed the front tyres for new Michelin Primacy 225/50/16 W which are G1MO (Mercedes specification).

I have had a full geometry check done by AMD, performance car specialist in Bicester. They found the front toe was out as well as the rear offside camber. They managed to adjust the toe but could not find any adjustment on the top or bottom suspension arm to readjust the camber. We checked all the bushes for ware ( the car has covered 52000 miles) but found all to be OK. I also noticed the front shocks are bolted to the back of the stub axle again without any obvious signs of adjustment, and not as I would expect with the offset bots running parallel to the wheel.

As well as the car pulling left, I find the steering heavy compared to my wife’s 1999 320 CLk.

I would be grateful for any suggestions, and advice on how to adjust the geometry.

 

[Blobcat]

A job for Lynda Carter?

Is ther steering rack ok, has it been curbed knocking the geometry out.

 

[Glenn Smith]

Can somebody help or put some light to the steering problem on my C270 Cdi 2003 estate with the 225/50/16 tyre and wheel option and lowered “sport suspension. I find the car doesn’t wonder to the left, which I would expect with the camber but pulls, enough to be annoying. I have changed the front tyres for new Michelin Primacy 225/50/16 W which are G1MO (Mercedes specification).

I have had a full geometry check done by AMD, performance car specialist in Bicester. They found the front toe was out as well as the rear offside camber. They managed to adjust the toe but could not find any adjustment on the top or bottom suspension arm to readjust the camber. We checked all the bushes for ware ( the car has covered 52000 miles) but found all to be OK. I also noticed the front shocks are bolted to the back of the stub axle again without any obvious signs of adjustment, and not as I would expect with the offset bots running parallel to the wheel.

As well as the car pulling left, I find the steering heavy compared to my wife’s 1999 320 CLk.

I would be grateful for any suggestions, and advice on how to adjust the geometry.

Did they check the front castor? this has a significant effect on a vehicles straight line tracking. The rear camber is not adjustable, but front is as is rear toe.

 

[Rory]

I've read on here or other forums that the front camber & caster is adjusted be "offset" repair bolts, obtainable from MB.

My late 2004 C270CDi Avantgarde sort of wanders/drifts/pulls. I have to hold it to the right on normal roads, but the last couple of weeks I've driven twice in contraflows in lane 3 of the 'wrong' side of a motorway and sure enough it drifts right.
It's a bit more than that though, the whole car just doesn't feel 'planted' on the road. I'm reluctant to spend a lot of time and money on it when it's not clear it would make any difference.

 

[type49]

The rear camber IS adjustable, however, the arm that adjusts it, also adjusts the rear toe so you have to comprimise. Rear toe, as its fixed when all adjusted and tight, will have a big effect on cars pulling as it will try and "push" the back of the car to one side or the other, leaving you to fight it with the steering. Some garages might see the figures as "in spec" and leave them, without trying to make them spot-on. Check the figures on your printout, front and rear toe should both be equal. Print may show the tolerance to be +or- up to 15'. this is quite a lot on the rear as you might have one side on say 10' and the other on 25' and all be "in spec" but not staight at all. Hope this helps.......

 

[Xmasmercedes]

I have a 270cdi sal 05 plate. Its rubbish. It pulls like hell to the left. Ive just taken it to the dealer today for 3 hrs worth of time wasting work and parts on the ramp. It had a full geo check and sure enough it came out exectly the same with the added bonus of the steering wheel completly mis aligned. For 2 pins I would set fire to it. I hate it. I have never had a car do it. The last one I had on an 04 plate did it as well, so I chucked it back for a refund.

 

[Xmasmercedes]

If you have just bought it from an MB dealer I would advise you take it back for a refund because if it bugs you like it bugs me then it will really ruin the expierience of owning an MB. I really do not know if they can solve it. If you do, please let me know.........Mines going back to the garage again next week for another fiddle again!!!!!!!!

 

[Rory]

I don't think I would buy another - MB play on their engineering and attention to detail and but the car just doesn't feel right at all.

 

[Xmasmercedes]

I wish id have bought an audi s4 cabrio!!!!!

 

[290Gee]

Thanks to all for the advice and comment. I spoke again with Merc. They have given me guidance on adjustments which with the tips from Type49 I will give to the chaps who did the geometry check at AMD.

I have a 2001 G Wagen as well as the 320 CLK which the wife runs. Ever since the old 124 series estate I believe the quality of Mercs has fallen by the side. Three years ago I ran an Audi S3 for 12 months, but regrettably decided to return to Merc. I appreciate my 270 is not a sports car like my old Audi, but I expected better road handling.

The way car prices are falling I will live with it for the time being.

I would be grateful it you could carry on posting your comments and maybe together we will solve the problem.

Any body from the Oxford area?

 

[grpar]

Message for Rory

Rory,

Insist that MB do a full 4-wheel alignment for you. The tail can wag the dog if not checked.

My C180 tended more to the left than Tony Benn at times. I had the revised suspension bolts fitted that made it different but worse, and instead I switched back to the standard bolts but with the full alignment on all 4 wheels.

Car's been great to drive ever since. Planted, solid, still tends to the left, but it's more New Labour now so you don't really ever notice. Well worth getting it done, even if MB in London relieve you of circa £300 for the pleasure.

 

[Rory]

Rory,
Insist that MB do a full 4-wheel alignment for you. The tail can wag the dog if not checked.

I've considered it, but 2 problems:
1) I'm assuming they won't do it under warranty (car is 2 yrs old now) so it'll cost a fortune.
2) Many comments on here suggest that it won't make any difference, and may in fact end up worse.

I think the main problem I have, is that if I spend time and money on it then I'm very likely to end up angry and frustrated. I also think that cars are just 'how they're meant to be', so there's no point in complaining. C Class pull to the left: 'that's what they do'. Daughter's Ibiza rattles: 'well of course it does, it's a SEAT'. Jazz is perfect: 'what do you expect - it's a Honda'.

 

[grpar]

Hi Rory

My experience suggests that:

- MB's revised susp bolts will make it steer straight, but the downside is it corners horribly.
- MB's standard bolts are fine, as long as all 4 wheels are checked and realigned, and not just the front 2.