C200 Tram lining

[Scubaalan]

I have a 1999 C200 sport with 122k. The problem seems to be steering wander (tramlining) Feels like I'm driving on a jelly. It seems worst at higher speed also in windy conditions. The dealer where I brought the car said it was 'Direct Steering' and that I'm not used to it. I have driven 100's of cars, but never had one that feels like this. Has anyone got any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[jibcl500]

What wheels and tyres do you have fitted, if the tyre size is quite wide then this will add to the problem, also check tyre pressures, other thing is steering damper.

jib

 

[amb67]

C Class sport models do tramline quite a bit and the steering is very responsive. Is yours the Evolution model as well?

I had a C200 Evo, it was awsome to drive on A roads but a nightmare on the motorways. I seem to remember it having 18" alloys with 235/35/ZR18 Continentals fitted.

 

[Scubaalan]

I have Dunlop SP Sport 2000 205 / 55R16 front and back. As far as I know its just the sport version, how can I tell if its the evolution as well?

 

[amb67]

They have a stainless steel looking grill that looks like it has been attacked by a drill. The accelerator and brake pedals have stainless steel pedals fitted too.

Oh! I think it says it on the rub strip too just by the front wings.

If your not happy with the way it feels, firstly have a 4 wheel geometry check completed. Most places will do this for £25, it may save you scrubbing out £200 worth of tyres if the settings are wrong.

Are your tyres new or old, what tread depths do they have. If you have uneven tread depths on the front or rear (side to side) it can make these rear wheel cars a handful when we get a bit of dampness on the roads.

 

[Scubaalan]

I don't think it's an evo, just a Sport, thats what it says on the rego and on the rub strips. I have only had the car a month, the tyres were new 9 mths ago and still have lots of meat left, only done about 6000 miles The wear is even across all 4.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I think you,ll find the evolution was only in the later w203 c class.
What size are your wheels and tyres?
Can be very sensitive to tyre pressures this in my experience is exagerated the bigger the wheel.
Tracking check (4 wheel) but get the front suspension inspected emphasising on the upper and lower balljoints, steering idler and damper.

 

[Scubaalan]

Tyres, all 4 are, Dunlop SP Sport 2000 205/55R16 pressure set as recommended by MB. Thanks for all the help guys......

 

[grpar]

Hi Scubaalan,

I have a 54-plate C180 that feels exactly the same. Don't believe the MB chimp in the service area about "direct control" - that sort of rubbish might be spouted by the "saturday boy" but not by any permanent member of staff - shame on them.

If you've had your front suspension fiddled with under warranty (wheel bearings, thrust arms, etc, etc), and have had the 4-wheel alignment courtesy of MB (which at £215 beggars belief), then you're at the same stage as me.

I've done nearly 4,000 miles in a car that at motorway speeds feels like it's driving in a strong gusting cross-wind. It jiggles left, then right, then left again. Feels like the steering almost has a centre dead-spot, but an extra tiny turn and it then rears off in that direction. It also feels as thought the car is rocking left & right on its front wheels.

I've yet to take it back to MB as I can't in all honesty tell them where to start looking.

Ordinarily you would think it's the front suspension, but MB reckon it's all ok. Then again, the back end is known to wag the dog on the facelifted C-class, but the 4-wheel alignment ought to have corrected that.

So I'm left thinking that it might be a dodger front spring or shocker. Thoughts anyone ?? After 34k miles that would be a poor result.

Anyone who knows about cars got any ideas ??

 

[amb67]

Guys, sorry to hear that you both have cars that feel light on the steering controls.

If you've had the 4 wheel alignment checked can you post the readings from the print outs? I should then be able to determine if all is well or not.

What some retailers do is check the wheel alignment and adjust that but fail to set the camber correctly. With an incorrect camber or castor setting you will experience the symptons you describe above.

You'd be amazed the difference half a degree of camber can make to the feel of a car.

I don't suppose you have just had your suspension springs replaced recently, if not check they are not broken, they have a habit of snapping. If yes, then you may be looking at a poorly rebuilt suspension unit.

If all is ok on this front then it is a possibilty you have a steering rack issue. It has been known that the rack seals fail internally and allow the oil to pass from one chamber to the other when it shouldn't.

 

[Scubaalan]

I havent had anything done yet, tyring to get as much info as possible before I start. So thanks to everyone for your inputs. May have to take it back to where I got it from, they can sort it.

 

[grpar]

Guys, sorry to hear that you both have cars that feel light on the steering controls.

If you've had the 4 wheel alignment checked can you post the readings from the print outs? I should then be able to determine if all is well or not.

What some retailers do is check the wheel alignment and adjust that but fail to set the camber correctly. With an incorrect camber or castor setting you will experience the symptons you describe above.

You'd be amazed the difference half a degree of camber can make to the feel of a car.

I don't suppose you have just had your suspension springs replaced recently, if not check they are not broken, they have a habit of snapping. If yes, then you may be looking at a poorly rebuilt suspension unit.

If all is ok on this front then it is a possibilty you have a steering rack issue. It has been known that the rack seals fail internally and allow the oil to pass from one chamber to the other when it shouldn't.

Amb67,

I'll dig out the print-out from MB and post up the contents (it's quite a detailed one-pager). They quote the measurements taken before adjustment, and those measurements after adjustment, as well as the tolerance (or range) that it should sit within. After re-alignment, all 4 wheels were back in the centre spot of each range. Alas, car stills feels like it's rocking or floating, which is why I thought it might be a dodgy spring. Thanks for the comments, which are kindly appreciated.

 

[grpar]

Amb67,

As promised, below is the data from the 4-wheel alignment. Hope I've included the bits you need:

Front Axle:
Left castor adjusted to 10 deg 12 secs.
Right castor adjusted to 9 deg 53 secs.
Left camber adjusted to minus 0 deg 27 secs.
Right camber adjusted to minus 0 deg 37 secs.
Cross camber adjusted to 0 deg 10 secs.
Left toe adjusted to 0 deg 12 secs.
Right toe adjusted to 0 deg 11 secs.
Left toe out on turns adjusted to minus 1 deg 27 secs.
Right toe out on turns adjusted to minus 1 deg 54 secs.

Rear Axle:
Left camber adjusted to minus 1 deg 00 secs.
Right camber adjusted to minus 1 deg 13 secs.
Cross camber adjusted to 0 deg 13 secs.
Left toe adjusted to 0 deg 15 secs.
Right toe adjusted to 0 deg 15 secs.

There were a few other measurements such as vehicle level, setback, total toe, etc, etc on the printout. Hope you can make sense of the above. Thanks.