Zero offset steering on W116 - and what about wheel offset?

[s class]

mb350,

Indeed, I find it frustrating that I understand alignment and suspension issues better than the average man in the street, yet alignment shops do not repsect this.  I have concluded that the level of understanding of the alignment technicians often leaves a lot to be desired.  I think they operate on a "I do it like this because that's how I was taught even if I don't understand it" basis

Most alignment shops use computerised systems which dial up the alignment specs from a database.  I have found that many shops no longer even have W116 on their database. I was however told by a confident alignment technician that he would use the W123 spec.  I argued that the castors were not the same.  His response - well I never heard of tis W116 but it looks identical to the W123's I see everyday.  Talk about frustrating!.

I have found an alignment shop now that I have been to a few times and they allowed me to bring in the W116 specs on paper and enter them manually into the database, so now they have an entry on their system called "ryan". 

I think they think I'm crazy, but at least I get my W116 aligned correctly - also shows that determination pays. 

[OzBenzHead]

... I think they think I'm crazy, but at least I get my W116 aligned correctly - also shows that determination pays. 

Ryan: Your alignment "experts" remind me of the Goons' definition of "expert":

"X is an unknown quantity; spurt is a drip under pressure".

The most annoying thing about people who think they know everything is that they make it difficult for those of us who do!   

[s class]

Well, indeed, although I don't quite know everything, here's an amusing situation - my local specialist mercedes breaker refers his client's W116 queries to me from time to time!  At the very least I'm able to sympathise with the client's suffering as I have probably had the same problem somewhere along the line. 

[carl888]

Here's a post from one of the m-100 guys with experience in 15" bundts....  I posted your original post over there as they have a tire/wheel forum:

The off set of the wheels will not affect the car like that,it sounds as though the height of the front has been affected by the taller tires,this would tend to reverse the castor,making the steering feel as you describe.

...There are old cars,and then there are Classics..(Mercedes Benz Ad. 1999)

Hi John,

Note, the caaster figure is fixed by the upper and lower suspension pick up points, the size of the tyre doesn't make any difference assuming a similar circumference.

Here is a post on another forim about zero offset steering that makes interesting reading:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?t=73&goto=nextoldest

Regards,

Carl.

[Mforcer]

Here is a post on another forim about zero offset steering that makes interesting reading:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?t=73&goto=nextoldest

Thanks Carl for the link. I remember reading that when i was researching my new rims but couldn't remember where I found it.