Car wandering

[books]

I have just fitted 4 new alloys to my 1997 E class (210), & have noticed that besides steering not being dead straight the car wanders on some roads.
I mean by this the feeling is like that is going to the left & then right in a slight kind of zig zag way(hard to describe unless your behind your driving it). The wheels are actually 17 inch with 235/45 17 Dunlop sport tyres on all four.
Gratefull for any suggestions as to if this should be expected with larger wheels?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
This sounds like tramlining caused by the tyres running in slight wear grooves in the road surface. Is it the same on all roads? I got this on my previous car when i went to 17' rims.

 

[jibcl500]

Yes as stated tramlining, check the tyre pressures as this can make a difference.

jib

 

[rf065]

Are the new wheels the correct offset for your car?

Russ

 

[books]

Are the new wheels the correct offset for your car?

Russ

Hi, the wheels are ET 34 , but the handbook says should be ET 35 to 37 standard. The fitter said that being 2-3 inches difference in offset would be OK.
Do you think that this could be the cause?
Thanks for reply.
AJ

 

[Bolide]

What wheels were on there before?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[rf065]

Hi, the wheels are ET 34 , but the handbook says should be ET 35 to 37 standard. The fitter said that being 2-3 inches difference in offset would be OK.
Do you think that this could be the cause?
Thanks for reply.
AJ

Could be, especially if the new tyres are also wider than the original ones.
Exactly what size wheels and tyres were on before and what have you changed to.

If you still have your old set put them back on and check the car is OK.

Russ

 

[books]

What wheels were on there before?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

The standard 15 inch Mercedes fit wheels for a E class 230(210) , with 205/65 15 tyres.

 

[books]

Could be, especially if the new tyres are also wider than the original ones.
Exactly what size wheels and tyres were on before and what have you changed to.

If you still have your old set put them back on and check the car is OK.

Russ

Original wheels were Merc standard fit 15 inch, with 205/65 15 tyres.
Changed all 4 alloys to Merc wheels 17 inch, 235/45 17 tyres.
The Offset of the new wheels are ET 34 wheras handbook states ET35 as recommended, but fitter said slight 2-3 difference should be fine.