HELLO ALL.

I recently have had new tires put on at my local Chrysler service center. Ever since than the car will drive straight but the steering wheel tilts slightly to the right. I've brought the car to two separate Chrysler service centers now with no resolution. They both told me this is normal,, I think that is BS.

So I just called a local Mbenze service center and they told me they can't work on the car. They only work on MB's.... Is that universal? I just want this fixed and didn't think it would be this difficult. If I didn't love the car so much I might be angry.

 

#2. Has anone brought their Crossfire to a MB service center??

If so, how did it go?

 

Yes you can if you can find one that let's you do so.
Several members deal only with Benz dealers (obviously not for warranty work ) but it's just the effort at trying to find one that wil work with you somewhere in your area.
Good luck!

 

Most will brush you off. I think it's a liabiliity thing, but probably more a snobbish one. Just keep looking for a reputable dealer. Ask on the MBworld.org board for some recommendations.

 

I stopped by my local Benz dealer and asked if I needed service in the future would they work on my car and they quickly said no.
I said what if I paid cash $$$ and they still said NO.
It's not a Mercedes Benz and they were familiar with the cars history but said it was sold by Chrysler and they only work on Mercedes Benz sold cars.

I guess this is how most MB dealers are as I have read here in some other threads.

 

Once again thats why this forum is so important. Close knit guys that know the car from top to bottom.

Or at least we will by the time we start having major issues.

 

The tilting steering wheel is not normal and can be corrected. That drives me nuts too. I would try to find a top notch independent alignment shop in your area and ask if they can adjust the wheel back to normal.

No opinion on the dealership issue. Other than if Chrysler bites the dust we'll be left with independent repair shops which if you think about it may not be all bad.

 

It sounds to me that you need to have an alignment. I assume when you say tilt to the right you mean with the tires centered in the wheel openings the center line of the steering wheel is not horizontal?

 

The car is aligned properly, the steering wheel & shaft needs to be be loosened from the steering gear box, lined up straight and retightened , or you can pull the steering wheel and reinstall straight.

 

I took my euro spec Mercedes to a dealer and they refused to do the work I wanted. They sited the inability to cross reference the euro part numbers with the USA spec numbers. Most are the same parts, just different numbers. I would be shocked if a Mercedes dealer agreed to even look at a crossfire. Perhaps if you pulled the engine or transmission and lied abort their origin. Perhaps.

 

I have never found a dealer that would not work on just about any car as long as your paying for it at the shops rates....... I just had body damage fixed on my SRT6 at the MB here in Dallas.

 

The reason for this is because dealership service jockeys these days can't think for themselves. Every SINGLE thing is read from a computer or input to a database for a response on "how best to correct the problem". Thus all the service technician ends up doing is being arms and hands for a computer.

As a result, a typical MB dealership is afraid they won't be able to hook the car up to their computer or cross reference with the tech manual.

I can not even begin to count how many times I heard "The computer says..." as the beginning to some bullsh!t answer everytime I took my old 7 Series in for service at Reeves BMW here in Tampa.

 

My bad experience dates from 1989 so its nothing new. Its a question of guaranteeing the work realized. In my case, I later learned it was against company policy for them to refuse to work on any Mercedes, regardless of origin. I firmly believe the only way would be to remove what's broke, take it to them an lie like a rug. But I haven't visited a Mercedes dealer since 1989 and I still have my 1976 Euro spec 280 coupe. I learned to find the parts and do the work myself.

 

I would think that your best bet would be to find an independent mechanic that specializes in imports, particularly Mercedes. He'll work on it, and he'll probably know more about it that either Chrysler or Mercedes dealers.

One thing that I've noticed about mechanics in my area is that they work at a dealership until they gain some knowledge and experience. Then they go out on their own, and make twice as much money. That leaves the mechanics at the dealers mostly inexperinced part swappers that just do as the computer tells them to.

Of course, you can find the occasional salty old super-experienced savant still working at a dealer, but they're rare indeed.

 

which MB dealer do you use in Dallas?

 

I have had this issue on several occassions after a front end alignment. I took the car back and it was a few minute fix. They made sure the wheel was straight and then aligned it again. No issues and it fixed the problem.

Steve

 

I asked Park Place Mercedes of Dallas If they work on crossfires. I was told that no they do not, and that the only thing they would do is change the oil. I said is that not working on the crossfire to change the oil and was then told that no repairs would ever be done to a crossfire by them. I'm now looking to trade my 05 S430 for a BMW or Jaguar. I've lost my taste for benz.

 

I had the same problem here in Houston. . . .but they dont mind selling you parts......If you know what car it fits......thanks to the cool advice you can get here, it can work out.....BTW.......One parts guy said the rumor is that Chrysler/Benz lost thier butt selling an exotic as at an average price. and both will never do it again!
Well Im glad I got one! Whatever its issues!

 

They lost their butts because they refused to market the car. Idiots! Oh well, like you, I'm glad I got one.

 

I believe you are correct here.
I intend to find a local privately run shop in my area now so when I need service I know where to go.
I don't even want Chrysler to have my car in their shop.
I have a third party warranty which should cover and repairs at any certified service location