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

[Jim Cathey]

> 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...

Classic sign of bad alignment.

> 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...

The steering box is the _last_ thing you address, after you've
definitely eliminated any and all other sources of looseness.
Otherwise you risk ruining the steering box at best, or turning
the steering into something scarily dangerous.

I've driven enough MB's now that sometimes I've felt more
than one that was way, way wrong.  Usually it's an SL, but
the 'new' 190D also qualifies!

> 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

Certainly.  I know prybars are involved too.  Your alignment guy
will be able to check for worn crap if you can't find anything.

> And on that note, is there any sort of rear wheel alignment, or is this
> strictly a front-wheel alignment?

There are no adjustments back there IIRC, but a good alignment will
check the back too to make sure nothing's worn out or bent.

-- Jim