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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / September 2004

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W202 C280 steering problem

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Joe - 19 Sep 2004 10:06 GMT
Hi there,

   I've got a '96 C280 who had a problem and replaced the lower control arm
and the drag link due to an accident that I posted earlier.

   The problem of that issue has been mainly resolved, wheel alignment is
also done in normal way without have to bend any wishbone or something like
that. But now when driving (at whatever the speed is), the steering wheel
are slight tend to the left (ie does not travel straight), and I also found
that the front wheel positioning is not equal between the left and the right
(the front-left wheel is slightly in rear, and the front-right wheel is
normal and correctly positioned, by using the middle tree fingers as a
'ruler' to measure the gap between the tyre and the 'frame'). Is that the
reason why the steering tend to the left (since the left front wheel is
behind than the front-right wheel when travelling straight)? So is it
possible to shift the control arms and/or upper wishbone to 're-position'
the left front wheel a bit forward to resolve the problem, or is the problem
has something to do with something else?

   Moreover, when I turn left at a very low speed, the steering wheel
refuse to 'turn-back' to its normal position, is that normal? When turning
right, it seems fine, it will pull the steering wheel slowly back to right,
until normal straight position.

   Is it also true that since the drag link is new, thus caused the
steering wheel is heavier to turn than before?

   Shall I send the car back to the dealer to have a comprehensive check as
well?

   Any response or advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Regards,
Joe.
the guvnor - 19 Sep 2004 10:59 GMT
> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> normal and correctly positioned, by using the middle tree fingers as a
> 'ruler' to measure the gap between the tyre and the 'frame').

The console brackets are bent, straitening them is no big problem.
Joe - 19 Sep 2004 20:12 GMT
Hi,

Thank you so much for the reply and advise, but I just wonder if just bend
the console brackets will resolve all the symptoms?

Please advise.

Thanks and Regards,
Joe.

> Hi there,
>
>     I've got a '96 C280 who had a problem and replaced the lower control
arm
> and the drag link due to an accident that I posted earlier.
>
>     The problem of that issue has been mainly resolved, wheel alignment is
> also done in normal way without have to bend any wishbone or something
like
> that. But now when driving (at whatever the speed is), the steering wheel
> are slight tend to the left (ie does not travel straight), and I also
found
> that the front wheel positioning is not equal between the left and the
right
> (the front-left wheel is slightly in rear, and the front-right wheel is
> normal and correctly positioned, by using the middle tree fingers as a
> 'ruler' to measure the gap between the tyre and the 'frame').

The console brackets are bent, straitening them is no big problem.
the guvnor - 19 Sep 2004 22:16 GMT
> Hi,
>
> Thank you so much for the reply and advise, but I just wonder if just bend
> the console brackets will resolve all the symptoms?
>
> Please advise.

Well it depends (not being able to see the car in question), normally the
rear one is the main culprit, but you need to get this professionally
repaired, as it's a job that needs care, and in theory once the wheel is in
the correct place your steering should be ok again.

But that said it's no big deal, in fact I've just been through this with a
C180, and it's front wheel was about an inch back...
Joe - 20 Sep 2004 20:08 GMT
Thank you so much for the input!! I shall send the car to the mechanics and
ask him to fix it up again!

Thanks with regards,
joe.

> Hi,
>
> Thank you so much for the reply and advise, but I just wonder if just bend
> the console brackets will resolve all the symptoms?
>
> Please advise.

Well it depends (not being able to see the car in question), normally the
rear one is the main culprit, but you need to get this professionally
repaired, as it's a job that needs care, and in theory once the wheel is in
the correct place your steering should be ok again.

But that said it's no big deal, in fact I've just been through this with a
C180, and it's front wheel was about an inch back...
Tiger - 19 Sep 2004 21:16 GMT
Vehicle not tracking straight and steering wheel is slight tilt is very
obvious of bad alignment job... send the vehicle back and have it redone.
Sometime their machine will go out of calibration and they don't know it.

As for turning and returning... that's steering box problem... the
adjustment is never touched so it shouldn't be happening... get the
alignment done right first.
Martin Joseph - 27 Sep 2004 05:02 GMT
>  for turning and returning... that's steering box problem...
Not necessarily... This symptom can also be caused by poor
alignement...  I had this one time in the old buick...

>  the adjustment is never touched so it shouldn't be happening... get
> the alignment done right first.

Exactly!
Marty
 
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