SL55 - pulling right under acceleration
Discussion
My SL55 is developing a nasty habit, it's basically pulling slightly right if you accelerate hard. It's almost like it squirms. It is steadily getting worse over the last couple of months.
It's got a Quaife LSD fitted, could this be malfunctioning. Tyres and pressures are all OK as far as I can tell.
It's fully serviced and SPR in Stockport have had a good look at the suspension etc. and there is no play or the likes, the track rod ends and front suspension arms were replaced 12 months ago i.e. it's looked after.
Any ideas?
It's got a Quaife LSD fitted, could this be malfunctioning. Tyres and pressures are all OK as far as I can tell.
It's fully serviced and SPR in Stockport have had a good look at the suspension etc. and there is no play or the likes, the track rod ends and front suspension arms were replaced 12 months ago i.e. it's looked after.
Any ideas?
The SL55. I do miss mine. Savage performance 
A few things to consider/check:
1) have you tried this sort of acceleration (that gets the car drifting one way) with someone else in the passenger seat? Sounds silly, but not much loses traction as easily as the SL55, even with the heavy convertible mechanism over the rear wheels which kept suitable weight over the back, enough to score the remarkable performance. But any other weight variance in the car can’t be discounted.
2) alloys. You say the tyres and pressures etc are correct. Also assuming the tyres are the same exact vintage. But are you sure you the alloys aren’t cracked or buckled? Have they come off recently to be checked?
3) ABC. Are you certain that the car has precisely the same ride height, left to right, front to rear. Any anomaly in the valve block or in the pumps may be worth investigating. Rather than leading a dealer MB technician through what you think the issue may be, it could be worth being more directive and saying “check this, check that, give me the results and let’s talk them through”.
4) you say it’s had an LSD bolted on. Any other non-stock bits, like spacers or different make alloys?
Incredible car though. Enjoy.
A few things to consider/check:
1) have you tried this sort of acceleration (that gets the car drifting one way) with someone else in the passenger seat? Sounds silly, but not much loses traction as easily as the SL55, even with the heavy convertible mechanism over the rear wheels which kept suitable weight over the back, enough to score the remarkable performance. But any other weight variance in the car can’t be discounted.
2) alloys. You say the tyres and pressures etc are correct. Also assuming the tyres are the same exact vintage. But are you sure you the alloys aren’t cracked or buckled? Have they come off recently to be checked?
3) ABC. Are you certain that the car has precisely the same ride height, left to right, front to rear. Any anomaly in the valve block or in the pumps may be worth investigating. Rather than leading a dealer MB technician through what you think the issue may be, it could be worth being more directive and saying “check this, check that, give me the results and let’s talk them through”.
4) you say it’s had an LSD bolted on. Any other non-stock bits, like spacers or different make alloys?
Incredible car though. Enjoy.
Thanks for the replies.
The car has only started doing this recently and nothing has been changed in that time. Good point on the alloys though, I shall swap them for my other set and see if the issue remains. The alloys on the car are BBS forged CH-Rs so should be good quality, but given the roads in the UK anything can happen.
The tyres are all made at the same time and in good condition, but are 5 years old now so maybe that might be something worth looking at.
Will get the ABC checked out again and see if there are any anomalies. The car is modified (82mm throttle body, charger pulley, X pipe, Fabtech CAI, shor headers etc.), but has been like this for several years. The reason I was wondering about the diff is it's like a twitch on acceleration, almost as though the power is being delivered to one wheel more than the other momentarily. It doesn't inspire confidence like it used to, that's the worrying thing.
The car has only started doing this recently and nothing has been changed in that time. Good point on the alloys though, I shall swap them for my other set and see if the issue remains. The alloys on the car are BBS forged CH-Rs so should be good quality, but given the roads in the UK anything can happen.
The tyres are all made at the same time and in good condition, but are 5 years old now so maybe that might be something worth looking at.
Will get the ABC checked out again and see if there are any anomalies. The car is modified (82mm throttle body, charger pulley, X pipe, Fabtech CAI, shor headers etc.), but has been like this for several years. The reason I was wondering about the diff is it's like a twitch on acceleration, almost as though the power is being delivered to one wheel more than the other momentarily. It doesn't inspire confidence like it used to, that's the worrying thing.
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