Car Pulls to Right: Serious Talk Only Please

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

Well the car came with 16" from the dealer. It was a minor pull back then. When I put new wheels with tires, they were used, so I have no way of telling if something is wrong with them other than they are properly balanced. The pull got amplified when going from skinny 16" wheels to 18" staggered set up and the issue stayed the same when I went to 2nd set of tires on those 18's. My dealer does have one of those machines and I had them balance both sets of tires from them.

If the alignment is right and the caliper is releasing.... the only thing I can guess is radial pull.

Originally Posted by usaret

If the alignment is right and the caliper is releasing.... the only thing I can guess is radial pull.

Radial pull is completely out of the way, two sets of tires has been balanced several times using the new balancing machine type at the dealer.

Caliper release: only visual so far. How can I thoroughly check this?

Ride height re-done. Made sure the car is on a very flat, leveled surface.

Distance from top of the finder to bottom of the wheel rim

18" Style-162 wheels

FR: 600mm
FL: 608mm
RR: 605mm
RL: 606mm

If everything appears to be in spec, you can try adjusting as recommended by Mercedes for the W203 C class (follow these links):
http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w2...ull-right.html
http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w2...lls-right.html
http://mbworld.org/forums/3489511-post12.html

Hope this helps...

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

Caliper release: only visual so far. How can I thoroughly check this?

Jack the right front up and see if the wheel spins freely.

Originally Posted by dmatre

If everything appears to be in spec, you can try adjusting as recommended by Mercedes for the W203 C class (follow these links):
http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w2...ull-right.html
http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w2...lls-right.html
http://mbworld.org/forums/3489511-post12.html

Hope this helps...

So I need to add +1 degree caster to front passenger side? I need to buy chamber plates? I thought these cars have variable chamber because of the lower control arm.

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

Well the car came with 16" from the dealer. It was a minor pull back then. When I put new wheels with tires, they were used, so I have no way of telling if something is wrong with them other than they are properly balanced. The pull got amplified when going from skinny 16" wheels to 18" staggered set up and the issue stayed the same when I went to 2nd set of tires on those 18's. My dealer does have one of those machines and I had them balance both sets of tires from them.

As you've now gone through 3 sets of tires, I'm inclined to eliminate tires as a cause of your pulling problem (and I have some background in tires and tire "pulling" issues). It would be rather EXTRAORDINARY to experience a pulling issue due to tires after going through THREE sets.

If you had mounted a NEW set of tires and experienced pulling where it didn't exist before, I would be SUSPECT of the tires...but this is not the case here.

I think we can eliminate the tires in your case.

The only other thought that I have is that a LARGE difference in castor from left to right (alignment) may cause pulling...but this would be highly unusual on a BMW.

It seems very odd to me that your steering wheel is centered as you experience this pulling sensation.

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

So I need to add +1 degree caster to front passenger side? I need to buy chamber plates? I thought these cars have variable chamber because of the lower control arm.

Good Lord! Keep caster identical, side t'side. Remember to check toe.

Front end camber relatively un-adjustable. Not that it wouldn't be a kick -- -2.5° neg camber's a hoot. So's tire wear, a diff kind o'hoot....kindofa agonized shriek.

Your problem isn't caster, judging from alignments past. Look deeper. There's a reason the previous owner is.

.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Good Lord! Keep caster identical, side t'side. Remember to check toe.

Front end camber relatively un-adjustable. Not that it wouldn't be a kick -- -2.5° neg camber's a hoot. So's tire wear, a diff kind o'hoot....kindofa agonized shriek.

Your problem isn't caster, judging from alignments past. Look deeper. There's a reason the previous owner is.

.

That's what I thought. The Mercedes links above state that +1 caster change. I doubt that would work with our cars.

Yes, tires could be eliminated definitely.

@pointandgo:
As the car pull to right, the steering wheel turns with the pull.

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

That's what I thought. The Mercedes links above state that +1 caster change. I doubt that would work with our cars.

Yes, tires could be eliminated definitely.

@pointandgo:
As the car pull to right, the steering wheel turns with the pull.

Any issues with tire "conicity," (built in to the tire due to steel belt offset) would result in a steering wheel offset if the "bad" tire was on the front - steering position).

I can't see that this is a tire "conicity" issue after THREE tire changes. It would be highly unusual.

WOW.ok maybe its not tires or the suspension.Try checking to see if you have a brake caliper that might be locking up.also have the brake inspected for sticky slid pins.goodluck.

Originally Posted by anthony s

WOW.ok maybe its not tires or the suspension.Try checking to see if you have a brake caliper that might be locking up.also have the brake inspected for sticky slid pins.goodluck.

Thanks, that my next step.

New revelation:

I had the front wheels off and spun the rotors. Front right rotor seems to be warped and worn out and seem to be catching the pads at one point of the spin. Overall there was a lot more resistance in that wheel compared to other side. I will be replacing pads and rotors soon. Just hope I don't have to replace the caliper or the bearing for now.