W202 tracking

[MCB]

I am having problems with the tracking on my 1996 W202. The stering wheel tends to lean to the left when driving straight ahead and I have noticed that the nearside front tyre is starting to wear on the outeredge of the tread. I have checked the springs , Shocks and tyre pressures which seem ok. I have taken the car into my local ATS tyre services depot, to have the tracking checked and adjusted but this has made things slightly worse if anything.

I seem to remember reading a thread that says that tracking on these cars has to be done by MB because of the suspension setup. Can any one confirm this and any idea what the cost might be.

 

[MIW615]

I am having problems with the tracking on my 1996 W202. The stering wheel tends to lean to the left when driving straight ahead and I have noticed that the nearside front tyre is starting to wear on the outeredge of the tread. I have checked the springs , Shocks and tyre pressures which seem ok. I have taken the car into my local ATS tyre services depot, to have the tracking checked and adjusted but this has made things slightly worse if anything.

I seem to remember reading a thread that says that tracking on these cars has to be done by MB because of the suspension setup. Can any one confirm this and any idea what the cost might be.

I'm always wary of "tracking / geometery specialists" - sometimes they have good equipment, but poor operators or good operators and poor equipment. In my time I have set up track cars and geometery settings are crucial no matter how basic the start point is - also I wonder how frequently the geometery equipment is re-calibrated, any decent operator will check the equipment once a week for accuracy.

If I were you I would find somewhere by recomendation and have a full geometery check carried out.

By the way also check steering / suspension joints for wear

 

[MCB]

Tracking

Recently replaced front wheel bearings, lower ball joints and Anti Roll bar bushes.

 

[BlackC55]

Get a dealer to do it. They are the only people with the correct equipment to do it.

 

[philharve]

Get a dealer to do it. They are the only people with the correct equipment to do it.

Is this necessarily so? In what way is the dealer's tracking equipment different/superior? Surely the operator's skill is a major factor?

I would like to have my tracking checked but I am nervous it might end up in a worse state than now and I'm reasonably confident that it's nearly spot on at present.

I believe optical tracking measurement/adjustment doesn't come cheap? I'm reluctant to spend a lot of money when there is a risk that the tracking could worse off.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

A well trained operator can do a good job with modern equipment, up to a point with MB but jigs are needed and the other operators do not have these

 

[philharve]

A well trained operator can do a good job with modern equipment, up to a point with MB but jigs are needed and the other operators do not have these

Good evening Malcolm.

Would a well-equipped indie likely to have the necessary jigs? Are they expensive items? Sounds like they could be useful to have because there must be a demand for checking the tracking?

I'll be seeing mine within the next week. I'll ask him.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[Phil D]

Get a dealer to do it. They are the only people with the correct equipment to do it.

Any idea of approximate cost ?

 

[jberks]

Any idea of approximate cost ?

I'm sure I was quoted the wrong side of £200 from the dealer. Hence I went elsewhere.
I notice you're in Ilkley.
The guys I use are Alba tyres on Geldherd Road - opposite the MB dealer. The dealer definately uses them for tyres, can't say if they do any tracking for them though- I suspect not. I have admittedly had to take it back on the odd occasion but they've been very good, redoing it without question and offering to take the car out themselves if I wasn't happy. They also have the advantage of being right next to the M621 so I zip it up and down there to check how she runs at motorway speeds before I return home. They have been around for a long time and whilst the fitters vary, the managers seem to know their stuff. They do have one nearer to you in Headingley, and hail from Bradford so I dare say there are a few there, but none of them have a motorway test track.
Cheapest in the area for tyres too!.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Always had problems with my 230k feels as if the N/S wheel on RH lock has turned to far and is skipping sideways get the tracking done (4 wheel check with castor and camber readings plus printout) and this eliminates it but only for a short time and it will gradually return.
Now i feel the same thing happening to the C43
I was told today that a Mercedes should be tracked with someone sat in the drivers side
seat has anyone else heard of this or am i being strung a yarn.