Swerving in 1988 300E

[dof100]

Please help with this problem. I just got this car (1988 300E) and I am finding out things about it that I am trying to fix one after another. The only problem I can't seem to get around is this:
If I run into an irregularity in the road, the car swerves dangerously to one side but not out of control. The same problem occurs when I apply brakes. The effect seems to be from the brakes "holding" on one side but not on the other. On applying the brakes, espcially at speeds >=60mph, the car swerves to the left side and then tries to compensate to the right side when I let go of the brakes. I have checked the brakes on each wheel and they hold well. I changed the brake shoes on the rear brakes. I also checked and "bled" the brake hoses on all wheels and the all seem alright. I have also checked all the tire pressures and had all tires balanced. The car doesn't "stray" when on an even road so I don't think it is an alignment problem.
Has anybody had this kind of problem before? All suggestions will be appreciated.
dof

 

[jberks]

Hi,
To be fair, its impossible to say what the braking problem is, it could be the brakes, but then it could just as easily be geometry related.

Tracking can make the car swerve and tramline, especially on high camber or bumpy roads. I put new track rod ends on a car once and didn't have time to get it retracked. Seemed ok on my street and the local A roads but scared the hell out of me when I got on a country lane.

If it were mine, I would get the 4 wheel tracking done (could save you a set of tyres), and a general geometry and joint check, at a decent tyre specialist (dealers charge the earth for this though the results are good).

Then if it is still playing up, you are probably down to a brake imbalance - impossible to detect by hand. This can be anything from a sticky piston to a scored disk. The easiest way would be to find an MOT station and get them to test the brakes - any issues will show up on the rolling road. In any case, I am pretty sure the new shoes on the rear only relate to the hand brake (discs all round on something as powerful as a 300E I would think) so new shoes won't help with your problem.

Alternatively, when I am unsure of a fault, I sometimes take advantage of these 'free' checks - e.g. qwikifits free brake check. Get them to go into detail on what needs doing, then say you're short of funds that week and will bring it back. - then down to the local motor factors for the parts. To be fair, sometimes the quote is low enough and I've let them fix it anyway!

 

[jako999]

My SLK seamed to do a similar sort of thing but not as bad the funny thing is I canged the two front wheels round from left to right and it went away? I have got 225's on an SLK AMG and I know from past that the camber of the road plays a big part find a empty road and drive on the wrong side then see what happens dont blame me if something comes the othe way 4 wheel laser alignment may also help.
Jako

 

[SLinKyjoe]

aha...when you have done the above, if it doesnt help....look at the springy bits...the suspension. it cud be duff on that side. that would explain the issue only occuring under braking and rough surface.....altho it does come down the list from sorting the brakes and geometry stuff.

have someone proper look at it.