W211 geometry alignment

[donkmeister]

My W211 E500 is scrubbing the outer shoulder of my front tyres at a relatively high rate. I had the ball joints done earlier in the year, the garage that did it didn't have an alignment set up so I am certain my alignment is out.

As I'm going to replace all 4 tyres soon it's a good time to do the geometry too.

Are there any implications as to having geometry done with airmatic? Does it need to be done in each ride position or just one? Are both axles adjustable for all three axes (ie caster, camber and toe)?

Anything I need to explain to the operator or is it straightforward for any competent tyre place with a laser rig?

Thanks

[Greenmantle]

Don't know where you are but speak to blackboots / wheels in motion in chesham
They have the knowledge with regards to the offset needed for mercs

John

[Kawasicki]

Start with the basics. Ride heights must be correct, and the loads at those ride heights. Without the ride heights being correct and the correct target values for that ride height it will be hard to properly align. Make sure the steering rack is centered correctly too.

[kev b]

Any decent geometry rig has the specs, load conditions etc for every car in its software.

There are often different specs for the same type of car depending on wheel size, spring height, coupe, saloon, estate etc.

Weights are often added to the car to bring it to alignment setting condition, usually requires half a tank of fuel as well.

[AC43]

donkmeister said:

Anything I need to explain to the operator or is it straightforward for any competent tyre place with a laser rig?

Nothing special to consider with a 211 E500.

Very odd it's doing the outside shoulder though. The default is that the insides go long before the outsides.

BTW you might want to look at Falkens. I just stuck a set on my 212 E500 and can't tell the difference from the more expensive brands. And I went through a few sets on my 211 (Conti's etc).

[jkh112]

AC43 said:

BTW you might want to look at Falkens. I just stuck a set on my 212 E500 and can't tell the difference from the more expensive brands. And I went through a few sets on my 211 (Conti's etc).

Which type of Falkens have you had fitted?

[AC43]

jkh112 said:

AC43 said:

BTW you might want to look at Falkens. I just stuck a set on my 212 E500 and can't tell the difference from the more expensive brands. And I went through a few sets on my 211 (Conti's etc).

Which type of Falkens have you had fitted?

I don't know off the top of my head but they were way cheaper than Conti's, Goodyear, Michelin, etc.

Two people in the trade suggested them. I laughed the first time then Googled them the second time. Then had them fitted :-)

EDIT and the place I had them fitted was Wembley Tyres. I've been going there for 13 years. They also told me to get some.

Edited by AC43 on Wednesday 6th December 20:34

[AC43]

jkh112 said:

Which type of Falkens have you had fitted?

Came across the invoice the the other day. The model stars with ZE.

They were £80 ex Vat for the fronts and £95 for the rears.

[jkh112]

Thanks for getting back. Falken have the ZE914 which is ‘sporty and comfortable’ and the FK range which is ‘high performance’.
Good to hear some feedback on which ones suit the car.

[AC43]

jkh112 said:

Thanks for getting back. Falken have the ZE914 which is ‘sporty and comfortable’ and the FK range which is ‘high performance’.
Good to hear some feedback on which ones suit the car.

Yeah think they are 914's. I'll have another look next time I'm in the car. Although as I work in the City that might not be until next weekend.

For 18's the ride is pretty good and the tyre noise is good. I had a loaner 212 Sport with the same staggered 18's (265/35 at the back) and the tyres on that made a hell of a din.

I took mine fully loaded to the South of France and back in August and they were just fine. Took it around cold and wet Oxfordshire at the weekend and they were happy doing that too.

(The other thing I got to try out properly in the country murk on Saturday was the Intelligent Light System or ILS. Amazingly good. Now I see why people rave about it).

Anyway; Falkens seem to be extremely well priced when compared to the better known brands.

[jkh112]

the 212 LED ILS is amazing, I hadn't truly realised how good until recently with the darker evenings.

[AC43]

By all accounts the LED version is even better than the Xenons on mine. But mine are stll miles better than anything I've had in the past.

[Tresco]

Had a similar issue together with a pull to the nearside with my W211 apparently it's a common problem.

Wheels in Motion Chesham calibrated the geometry and fitted an uprated camber/caster bolt which cured it.

Under £200 from memory.