W210 55-mph Vibration - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DieselAddict · #1 11-06-2007, 05:19 PM

My W210 used to have the classic 55-mph steering wheel shimmy which I was able to suppress by rebalancing my tires many times, but it always came back after some time. Recently I finally bit the bullet and had my lower control arms replaced and that seems to have killed the shimmy for good. But I can still feel some vibration in the steering wheel around that speed (keyword feel, not see) and I remember clearly it was there sometimes even before the control arm replacement so I don't think it's the fault of the new arms. Is it my tires or wheels even though I had them rebalanced many times? If anyone has experienced something similar, please share.

On a semi-related note, I get some low-speed clunking sound from the front when coming to a stop. I assume it's from my sway bar links, but I don't think it's related to the 55-mph vibration.

nhdoc · #2 11-06-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

My W210 used to have the classic 55-mph steering wheel shimmy which I was able to suppress by rebalancing my tires many times, but it always came back after some time. Recently I finally bit the bullet and had my lower control arms replaced and that seems to have killed the shimmy for good. But I can still feel some vibration in the steering wheel around that speed (keyword feel, not see) and I remember clearly it was there sometimes even before the control arm replacement so I don't think it's the fault of the new arms. Is it my tires or wheels even though I had them rebalanced many times? If anyone has experienced something similar, please share.

On a semi-related note, I get some low-speed clunking sound from the front when coming to a stop. I assume it's from my sway bar links, but I don't think it's related to the 55-mph vibration.

Don't think that just because your tires are balanced that they are not the cause of a vibration. You could even have a rim out of true or a tire with a bad belt that can cause vibrations like this. Have you tried swapping your rear tires to the front to see if it makes any difference? If not try that, do one at a time and see if you notice any change...that might help you pinpoint it to a particular tire.

TMAllison · #3 11-06-2007, 05:53 PM

My miles are quite a bit more than yours but you might want to check the inner tie-rods. Mine were bad @ 215K. Replacing them helped, but did not eliminate what I describe as "wandering" at freeway speeds.

Am going to have to do the LCA's next.

Do you mind sharing what it cost to have your's done?

DieselAddict · #4 11-06-2007, 06:07 PM

I certainly don't believe having the tires balanced guarantees a smooth ride. That's why I had them balanced many times, because sometimes the balancing would actually make things worse, sometimes better. The last time I had the front rebalanced I was watching the guy and he even did the road-force test. IIRC the force came out to be about 7 lbs for the driver's side and 18 or 20 lbs for the passenger side. So I guess I should suspect the passenger side and try swapping the tires on that side. Or maybe just replace it with the spare and see what happens.

TMAllision, I had the control arms replaced for about $960. I don't have any wandering at freeway speeds. Only the steering wheel vibration at 55 mph but I must say overall the ride isn't as smooth as my Jetta so I might still have some balancing/tire issues.

DieselAddict · #5 11-06-2007, 06:14 PM

Actually when I went to the Bay Area and back recently in my MB the ride was glass smooth most of the way. It seems that the ride is rougher when the tires are cold (it was much warmer down in CA than here). Perhaps one or more of my tires is getting out of round and it's worse when the rubber is cold and hard. I'll definitely try swapping the right front tire and let you guys know what I find out.

F18 · #6 11-06-2007, 09:14 PM

DieselAddict....I definitly get more shimmy on my 98 when the tires are cold or I run them at the maximum tire pressure. Also as tread was worn toward the wear bar on my previous tires the rubber compound is harder and the shimmy more prominent than on my new tires with full tread. I have no shimmy when I mount my snow tires.....???

Jeremy5848 · #7 11-07-2007, 12:38 AM

My new-to-me '96 E300D had a mild 55 mph shimmy when I got it; rebalancing the four tires got rid of most of it but not quite all. The PO had the front end worked over -- upper control arms and lower ball joints, plus a 4-wheel alignment, about 9000 miles and ten months ago, so it's in pretty good shape. Next job is to replace all three motor/transmission mounts (both motor mounts have collapsed). Once that is done (I have the parts and will do the job sometime in the next few days) I'll see if there's any shimmy left and go from there. Rotating the tires front-to-rear would be a good next step. They have only about 10000 miles of life left anyway and so will be replaced sometime next year.

What is this "classic 55-mph steering wheel shimmy?" As a new W210 owner, I demand to be educated! (Harrumpf!)

Jeremy

DieselAddict · #8 11-07-2007, 01:19 PM

It's classic because just about every W210 has it if the lower control arm bushings are more than 7 years old or so. The bushings just don't last very long on this car.

My tires are getting old as well (probably have 30-40% of usable tread left) and I think this definitely has something to do with the vibrations. It's tempting to get new tires, but then again I don't believe in wasting resources and money so I will keep these tires for a bit longer. I'm driving the Jetta today, but tomorrow I'll drive the MB with the new tire arrangement.

Jeremy5848 · #9 11-09-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

It's classic because just about every W210 has it if the lower control arm bushings are more than 7 years old or so. The bushings just don't last very long on this car.

Thank you. Not sure if mine were replaced in February when the PO had other front end work done; the invoice doesn't specifically list LCA bushings. I will attempt to educate myself (learn what a lower control arm bushing is and where it lives) and look.

Referring back to my post, #7, I completed the motor mount installation. The engine now sits about 3/4 inch higher than it did before and the 55 MPH shimmy is GONE.

Still need to replace the tranny's rubber mount. Anyone ever do a DIY for that part? It looks like you would put a jack under the rear of the transmission to take the weight and then unbolt the cross-member.

Jeremy

thorsen · #10 11-09-2007, 08:55 AM

I had the same problem with my 1996 E300. Jack up the front end and check for play in the tie rods. On mine, the inner driver side tie rod was worn.

JimSmith · #11 11-09-2007, 09:08 AM

Engine mounts helped a lot. I also had the front wheel bearings go out on my car, which was a unique event. When I had the bearings replaced I took care of the rest of the worn front end bits and pieces. I had no issues until the engine mounts failed.

Jim

DieselAddict · #12 11-09-2007, 12:48 PM

Last night I swapped my passenger-side wheels and I must say that it seems like the vibration is at least 50% reduced. The FR tire was a bit more worn than the rest of them for some reason, and this may have something to do with its ride quality. I do rotate my tires every 5-10K miles, so I don't know why this is the case. I'll probably swap my driver's side wheels too to see if it helps further. Thanks for all the good info.

DieselAddict · #13 11-10-2007, 09:19 PM

So I swapped the driver's side wheels too and took another test drive. I'd say perhaps there's a minor improvement over last time, but the vibration in the steering wheel at 55 mph is still there, though it's pretty subtle. It could be the engine mounts, but they look fine to me from what I can see, and the engine hardly moves at idle. I even tried revving the engine to the 2200 RPM that the engine spins at when going 55 mph, but there's no vibration.