Jim, I did not see where anyone mentioned ' transmission ' as a potential source... what caused you to think that someone was referring to the transmission ?
If that came from the talk about the relative vibration rate.. that is caused by the fixed ratio in the third member... typically between 2.5 to one and 3.5 to one... and does not change by shifting gears... so the relationship of the wheel rotation and the driveshaft rotation is constant....

I thought I'd let everyone know that the excessive vibration was caused by the sterring box and /or the drive shaft bearing.

Both were replaced and the shakes are gone. Well not completely, but the very minor shake that pops up around 70-75 is probably the result of the tires.

These are the same tires/rims that were on my SD and I believe one of them was slightly deformed after the accident.

Anyway, the steering box was probably the main culprit.

The car is now almost 100% mechanically perfect. The suspension is real tight considering the recent front end work. It's pretty hard to believ a car that big and heavy handles so well.

A couple of more minor issues and she will be getting a new paint job, courtesy of my cousin.

The weather is real mild down here right now and it will make the prep work easier to do before I take her to get painted.

Thanks

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These new computer tire balancing machines may be able to help you... tell the balancing guy you are driving that fast and ask that they balance the tires for that speed...
I think the default speed they usually use is lower than that.

Plantman, you can send that wheel to www.transwheel.com for repair. Also, the balancing machine they use measures "road force variations." Pretty snazzy.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Folks,

I have been trying to observe / count vibrations... not sure I'm much closer. I am convinced it is a faster and less severe vibration than other wheel balance issues I've had in the past. If I get time I'll try to get it up in the air (safely) and see if I can observe a virbration or obvious drive shaft bearing problems.

Thanks again... it is encouraging to hear of others solving their problems. Hopefully me too!

Chuck

I understand that the driveshaft center bearing can be mounted out of position causing vibration. I have been lucky in the past when pulling down the driveshaft and have gotten it back in position such that it did not vibrate.

My 300E is now experiencing driveshaft vibration and I have learned that if the carrier bearing is out of position, vibration will result. I further understand that the factory manual has a procedure, albeit a rather involved one, for correctly positioning the carrier bearing.

If anyone finds this procedure and can give us the lowdown it would be appreciated. All I have is a Haynes manual and I don't think it is in there.

Happy Thanksgiving,

FWIW, I was driving slow today. about 3-5 mph and noticed that the car rocks ever so slightly as if the tires were not round.

I figure that if the car shakes/moves/rocks slightly at such a slow speed, that the tires are defective, causing the problem to get worse at high speed.

It was recently balanced, so I doubt that is the problem.

Thoughts?

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Driving slowly as you describe would not be the cause of wheel imbalance. Wheel imbalance cannot be felt until at least about 30MPH. What you describe indicates that one or more tires of excessive road force variation. This basically means stiff spot(s) or out of round tire(s)

Good luck,

Thanks Larry, I will be searching for a new set of tires over the next couple of days.

BTW, how is your new job? if you don't mind the question.

I know you couldn't contribute so much to the forum since you got it.

Just figured I'd ask.

Happy Turkey Day

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