Steering not self-centering.

[jpbp200]

Hi

I have a W202 180 (as some of you may already know) which is relatively new to me, just over 3 weeks. I have noticed recently that the steering seems easier to the right than the left. To test this I went to a car park and let the car drive forward a slow speed and turned the wheel both left and right to see if there was anything untoward. What I noticed was that when turning right once you get to a certain rate of turn and then let go of the wheel the steering wheel wants to continue increasing the rate of turn until it reaches full lock instead of re centering as it does when you let go whilst turning left. It is not so apparent at higher speeds and at lesser rates of turn ie most normal road bends. It is only really obvious when you are approaching full lock ie turning into a parking space or drive when you have to feed the wheel manually in the opposite direction to straighten up. I have recently had the tracking corrected but it was a minor adjustment. Could this be the cause or is there something else I can check. I don't want to have to take it to my local dealer if the fix is simple and I can get quickfit or whoever to do it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[television]

I think that your car is normal as you have a much greater lock for the left turn than the right,,on a MB the left turn at full lock is past the self centering point and if you are on full lock the some help is needed to get it to the self centering point

 

[jpbp200]

on a MB the left turn at full lock is past the self centering point

Thanks Malcom. My car however seems to be the other way around! ie right turn is past the centering point! Is this OK do you think?

 

[television]

Thanks Malcom. My car however seems to be the other way around! ie right turn is past the centering point! Is this OK do you think?

All I can think of is that the tracking may have been done incorrectly and the end stops moved

 

[jpbp200]

Thanks. I will get it checked.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Make sure the machine they use involves all 4 wheels in the alignment and if possible measures the castor and camber etc.
Anything else and you will still have problems I.M.O.

 

[jpbp200]

Thanks Andy. That sounds like a dealer job to me? I heard someone say they were charged £200 for that job in a dealer but I may be wrong. I haven't phoned mine to ask yet. Do quickfit do that sort of thing?

 

[bigasotonuk]

No need for main dealer and it costs less than £50.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Found the link,

http://www.pro-align.co.uk/amc/index.htm

 

[jpbp200]

Cheers Andy. There appears to be one less than 10 miles form me. I will pop over there. Sounds like just what I need. Thanks v much.

 

[jpbp200]

Cheers Andy. There appears to be one less than 10 miles form me. I will pop over there. Sounds like just what I need. Thanks v much.

1st one I phoned quoted £70 which seemed reasonable. 2nd one quoted £190!!! I hate it when people try to rip you off.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I have tried using other people with different kit but i always go back to the one that does a 4 wheel check, camber/castor check too with print out before and after adjustment.
I would,nt even entertain kwik fit or the like now.

 

[jpbp200]

Hi Andy, both of the people I telephoned were quoting for 4 wheel alignment using the Hunter system. I havephoned a third one who charges £19 for checking then additional depending on what alignment is needed up to a naximum of £99. Do you think this is reasonable? What do you normally pay for 4 whell alignment?

Cheers.

 

[and11]

Thanks Andy. That sounds like a dealer job to me? I heard someone say they were charged £200 for that job in a dealer but I may be wrong. I haven't phoned mine to ask yet. Do quickfit do that sort of thing?

Kwik fit dont have the gear for mercs, they only do front wheels.

 

[bigasotonuk]

And11,
That was my point exactly, people do get confused as there tracking machine does take a datum from the rear wheels.
jpbp200,
If for that price they looking at your camber and castor measurement too thats good.
I pay approx. £30 for tracking and adjustment, with a print out before and after, they only measure camber/castor etc, for that price any further adjustments are extra to the £30.

 

[jpbp200]

If for that price they looking at your camber and castor measurement too thats good.
I pay approx. £30 for tracking and adjustment, with a print out before and after, they only measure camber/castor etc, for that price any further adjustments are extra to the £30.

Yes that's exactly what they are doing. apparently they set cars up for track days and then revert them to original settings for customers who do that sort of thing. I think check/print out with tracking only was about £30 so that sounds about right then, thanks.