Steering problems

[wyage6]

Hello I'm new to this forum

Just purchased an 2002 SLK 200 special edition and am experiencing problems keeping the car in a straight line. I'm finding it pulls to the left and occasionally when I correct it, it veers to the right. Have had the wheel alignment adjusted and the front tyres checked - these have different treads on, but was told this should'nt pull to one side then the other.

Has anyone experienced the same problem or does anybody know the cause? As I need matching tyres on the front, can anyone advise on the best type?

Thanks, Andy

 

[television]

Hi Andy,we do get a few theads on this issue, some other people will give you some advice.

One thing that does help is to run the tyres at the min presure for the car. Some people have reported much better handling.

malcolm

 

[angus falconer]

One thing that does help is to run the tyres at the min presure for the car. Some people have reported much better handling.

malcolm

I run mine at 2psi less that recomended pressures all round. When the front are inflated to the "correct" pressure I get a bit of steering tug on bad surfaces

 

[jberks]

Hello I'm new to this forum

Just purchased an 2002 SLK 200 special edition and am experiencing problems keeping the car in a straight line. I'm finding it pulls to the left and occasionally when I correct it, it veers to the right. Have had the wheel alignment adjusted and the front tyres checked - these have different treads on, but was told this should'nt pull to one side then the other.

Has anyone experienced the same problem or does anybody know the cause? As I need matching tyres on the front, can anyone advise on the best type?

Thanks, Andy

I wouldn't expect your problem is caused by mixed tyres. They shouldn't normally be that noticable unless they are very different or you are testing at Silverstone. Skittish behaviour is normally down to a dodgy suspension component such as a track rod end, worn bush etc. I once drove a friend's car when he claimed he couldn't keep up with me (we were taking the mickey as we kept having to wait for him). Soon realised why, it scared me half to death - it was all over the place. Seem to remember that being a track rod issue.
Has the whole suspension been gone through? It may be worth putting through an MOT as they check all these things.
As far as tyres are concerned, more opinions out there than there are tyres. Avoid real nasty cheapies but other than that, for most of us this side of Schumaker, anything on the market will be just fine.

 

[angus falconer]

Could be the lower ball joints - I had them go on my last one and the steering became very wandery. With today's bad road and speed bumps they shot by 50k miles