"When it rains it pours!" Took my Crossfire to a quality repair shop to check out the front end. They found on the drivers side that the lower control arm bushings were bad and is why it wants to pull to the left. They told me to replace the bushings required a new lower control arm, BS, and that the bushings weren't replaceable. I looked online and found bushing for $87 for both sides. So rather than get into a pissing contest I told them to do both sides. Labor and parts is going to be $1115.00 to do the job. Unless there is something I don't understand about pressing in bushings I plan on using the old control arms, cleaning them up and pressing out/in new bushings with my 20 ton press. I'll try on selling them as rebuilt on eBay or here on the forum.

 

Picked up my car and am glad I told them to do both lower control arm replacement. The bushings on both were slap worn out! I They did a great job on the alignment but can't believe they didn't set the steering wheel straight before doing the alignment even after me telling the mechanic about the problem. It now sits at the 8:30 to 1:30 position instead of 9 & 3 position. Sooo my question is, does anyone know if the steering wheel has splines where I could make it straight if I remove it to realign? Seems like most cars would have splines for just that purpose. Don't know about Mercedes though. I post some pics tomorrow of the old lowers.

 

Yes, it has been done.

 

I’m sure there is a reason but why not ask the shop to do it right. Go back to the shop where you paid to have the work done and take the shop foreman for a spin, actually let him or her drive.

The drive will illustrate your point. If they are reputable, they’ll correct it. If not, use a credible shop next time.

I’ve removed my wheel to install the paddle shifter kit and it takes a while. In addition it’s not the correct way to centre the wheel.

It would be a heck of a lot faster to take it to the shop and ask them to do it right rather than realigning the steering wheel.

But doing additional work on your time to correct the poor work of a technician that’s been paid to do, although wouldn’t be my first choice, is also an option.

 

Exactly, the correct way is the right way. My OCD would have that car back in a heartbeat. I do my own alignments just for that reason. I can't even stand my ATV when it goes out of alignment and the bike bars are not straight. Take it back!

 

I know your right after spending $1115 for lower control arms replacement and alignment. Even after talking to the office and the mechanic about the unlevel steering wheel. Here is another "**** me off" thing the mechanic did. My new $83 floor mats had greasy foot print on it. Didn't use paper on it for protection. Office said they have paper protection but evidently wasn't used.