[MBZ] 83' 300D alignment/worn out?

[Marshall Booth]

Levi Smith wrote:
> So, I was at the in-laws waiting for the dog to do it's business and started
> taking a closer look at the wear pattern on my tires now that I've had the
> car long enough (it came with near new tires) to notice.  All have the
> correct air pressure and keep it.
> Well, the backs seem pretty nice and square as should be.
> The front left is worn on the inner and out edges, but still mostly there.
> The front right didn't seem too bad, till I looked closer on the inner
> edge.  It's worn down enough that the cords are showing through...
> 
> It has loose steering, which I largely tightened up last year via the
> steeringbox, but I'm wondering if part of that is something suspension
> related now...
> So...
> Is this the normal kind of "shake the wheel in the air and hope you can
> notice a loose part"?  Or is there anything else in particular I should be
> looking for that might need replacement, or good ways to identify that they
> need replacement?
> Or should I just take it in for an alignment?
> And on that note, is there any sort of rear wheel alignment, or is this
> strictly a front-wheel alignment?

What you describe will NOT be corrected by alignment. There is something 
that's worn, bent or broken. There will need to be diagnosis, repair and 
then alignment. Common causes include worn wheel bearings, ball joints, 
break supports and control arm bushings. Tie rod and drag link wear 
usually result in BOTH front tires exhibiting similar excessive wear. 
Reliable diagnosis requires knowledge AND experience. Repair can often 
be made by a handy amateur. Alignment requires someone with skill, 
experience and knowledge (elaborate equipment can make it easier, but is 
not essential).

Rear wheel problems will have little effect on front tire wear (but it 
CAN influence steering). Most rear tire wear problems require subframe 
and/or differential mount replacement to correct.

Marshall
-- 
	  Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions)
       "der Dieseling Doktor" mbooth at pitt.edu
'87 300TD 182Kmi, '85 190D 2.0 161Kmi, '87 190D 2.5 turbo 237kmi, '84 
190D 2.2 229Kmi (retired)