Esp inoperative w203. Steering wheel misaligned. Is garage at fault.

[zuberali]

Hi all

I have a Mercedes w203. I sent it to the mechanics to change the ball joint. A day after receiving the vehicle back I noticed the steering wheel seemed misaligned and now I have a 'ESP inoperative error see owners manual' show up on the dash

Now did the garage do something wrong or forget to do something as it seems suspicious that the error showed up 1 day after the mechanic changed the ball joint. Or is it just coincidence

 

[mioba]

Take it back to the garage as ask them os what I would do.

 

[star]

I expect the arm has been fitted incorrectly, especially if has adjustable camber/caster bolts fitted. Or they have fitted the wrong or cheap arm.

 

[onefortheroad]

Steering angle will be out .. ?

 

[bladecrazy]

yes the steering will be out so steering angle sensor will through a fault, go back and show them the steering..

 

[mersum1es]

and say NOT to adjust steering wheel...

 

[zuberali]

and say NOT to adjust steering wheel...

Sorry so you mean tell them they need to adjust the ball joint not the steering wheel to auit

 

[mioba]

and say NOT to adjust steering wheel...

they will just take it off and turn it a few notches

 

[mersum1es]

Sorry so you mean tell them they need to adjust the ball joint not the steering wheel to auit

Exactly! NO STEERING WHEEL, EVER!

 

[alexanderfoti]

Cheap arms always do it! Fit MB Oem or fit cheap arm and do geometry alignment.

 

[zuberali]

Cheap arms always do it! Fit MB Oem or fit cheap arm and do geometry alignment.

Noted. I'm not mechanically inclined. I just give it to the garage and expect them to do it right.... guess not

 

[alexanderfoti]

Noted. I'm not mechanically inclined. I just give it to the garage and expect them to do it right.... guess not

We always try and give customers both options. Some arms need the bushes as well, and are quite expensive compared to cheap aftermarket (£90 vs £300), but have to keep in mind the cost of alignment on top of the cheap arm..