Is alignment necessary after new susp bushes?

[C280estateguy]

Hi all,
I've just finished replacing the control arm suspension bushes (aka front lower wishbone), front lower ball joints and steering damper on my 96k 1998 C280 Estate which I've owned from new (freeing the lower ball joints was a major pain - another story). Both the Haynes and Bentley manuals say I should now have the wheel/chassis/steering alignment checked (and I've seen posts mention this) but I can't see why. Everything goes back together in the same position it was originally, and there's nothing anywhere that can be adjusted (except the steering track rod ends, and they weren't touched other than simply separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle and then re-attaching). The raised shoulders of the big suspension bolts fit in the slots in the mountings snugly. I've driven the car on short runs in town and at highway speed and it handles perfectly with no pull, wander, judder, etc, exactly as it always has. Am I missing something? I know you can get special MB suspension bolts which can adjust camber etc, but why would I need these?
Thanks, John

[1995c280]

it's always a good idea to have your alignment checked at least once a year. you should be fine assumming that was done recently. the bolts you can buy from MB are for adjustment of the caster/camber of the LCA's but the adjustments are so minor, really! i've replaced many bushings on these cars and also sold the customer an alignment for saftey reasons but it never really needed one unless the customer was lazy with alignments during their ownership.

[C280estateguy]

Thanks for the fast response Jason! Is it really necessary to have the alignment checked every year when there's no sign of tyre wear/pulling/wandering etc? I've had the car since new in 1998, and I don't think it's ever been checked.
I used OE parts from the local stealership.
I couldn't actually see or feel any wear at all, but was advised to change the bushes and ball joints by my local MB specialist independent at the annual service in Oct. They know I'm keen to keep the car in mint condition and at my request they point out problems at an early stage, so I tend to replace things before they fail. As I usually do the work myself and buy the bits from MB, they have no financial interest to generate work and I trust them (a friend uses them too). The car had already just passed it's annual MOT test without advisories and the bushes and ball joints seemed ok to me, but I did the replacement anyway.
What if I run the car for a bit (I'm about to do 1000 miles to Scotland and back) and see if there's any sign of tyre wear?
John

[1995c280]

you will not see tire wear over the course of 1,000 miles. i would definatly get your alignment checked if it has never been done. your car may drive straight with even tire wear like you say but i can almost bet you that your alignment is out of specs meaning that with a proper alignment your car will drive even better than it does now. i have done many alignments on MB's. most local places will do a 4 wheel alignment these day for around $79. you do not need to go to the dealership for this.

best of luck.

[C280estateguy]

Thanks Jason. There's a place that does 4-wheel alignment using the Hunter system near here for £88 (around $100) but, being a Scotsman, I'm naturally reluctant to part with the cash while the car is behaving so perfectly. It's hard to see what could be improved, but I'll watch for tread wear, pulling/wandering etc. My main concern was safety (eg bad handling, not braking in a straight line etc).
John

[OzC36]

When changing any component of the suspension and steering syste, the new components will necessarily change (even if slightly) the alignment of the car.

Severe misalignment will result in very noticeable handling and tracking problems.

Slight misalignment will be un-noticeable in normal driving, but, will result in increased and uneven tyre wear...and also reduced fuel efficiency as the tyres scrub rather than run true...

This will cause a Scotman's wallet to bleed cash for new tyres earlier and for reduced miles per gallon of motor spirit.

Oi laddie! Get it checked!

(And if you subsequently suffer uneven tyre wear you can git right up your wheel aligner!).

[nick_nolastname]

We recently had the LCA bushings changed on both sides of our 1994 C280. We had an alignment done at Tires Plus here in Orlando. They give you a printout of what values changed, and the toe in was grossly out before the alignment. I know you would prefer not to spend the money but you really ought to, in this case.

Good luck.

[C280estateguy]

Thanks Oz and Nick.

The image of his wallet bleeding cash should not be used lightly, as it can severely traumatise a Scotsman..!
But the car still feels perfect so I'm going to wait and try this 1,000 mile round trip to the frozen north and back and see if there's any sign of uneven tyre wear whatsoever. I promise to report back in shame if my tyres have shredded!

[kowalski]

Originally posted by OzC36
When changing any component of the suspension and steering syste, the new components will necessarily change (even if slightly) the alignment of the car.

Severe misalignment will result in very noticeable handling and tracking problems.

Slight misalignment will be un-noticeable in normal driving, but, will result in increased and uneven tyre wear...and also reduced fuel efficiency as the tyres scrub rather than run true...

This will cause a Scotman's wallet to bleed cash for new tyres earlier and for reduced miles per gallon of motor spirit.

Oi laddie! Get it checked!

(And if you subsequently suffer uneven tyre wear you can git right up your wheel aligner!).

I had my steering damper changed last year!
Now I noticed uneven tire treadwear on my front tires!
Can this treadwear have happened coz of the change to a new steering damper?
The tirewear is on the outer parts of the front tires= inner/outer treadwear not in the middle section, I don't know how much 3kg is in PSI, but I run 3 kg all 4 tires!
I have GY EAGLE F1 GSD3:
225/40/18
255/35/18

Treadwear on reartires are good, fronts outer parts are bad!