Hello all, I just purchased a 2001 C320 last week. Well, I noticed a slight vibration in the car when driving 30-45 mph. It is not tire balance. The vibration feels like a drive train vibration. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance, John

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1989 190 E 2.6 148K miles

My 2002 c320 has a similar vibration, at 35 to 45 mph, more noticeable when coasting, and completely gone at highway speeds. Started at about 10k miles, now car has 45k. Some days are much better than others.

Last month I had the four tires replaced - I had the oem mxv4+ installed. No change in the vibration. I've asked the dealer to fix it the last three times the car has been in, once they rotated the tires (no help), this last time they blamed it on the worn-out tires, but it is unchanged with the new tires.

I have about three more months of warranty, so I'd really like to get this fixed.

Is your vibration similar - gets much better when accelerating, and has better/worse days?

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2001 e320 wagon
2004 F350
2006 Crown Vic

It sounds like we have the identical vibration. My car has 35k miles. I purchased a good extended warrenty, so if the problem gets worse, I will take it to the dealer for investigation. To me, it feels like a driveshaft, or axle out-of-round. Could be something in the rear end. It also could be a characteristic of the car?

Thanks for the reply, John

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1989 190 E 2.6 148K miles

I agree - it feels like driveshaft or an axle shaft. I definitely do not think they all do it. I had 04 and 05 loaners (I think they were both 4matics) and they were flawless - absolutely no vibration.

Please post back if you find anything, and I'll be sure to post if I get mine fixed.

thanks,
dan

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2001 e320 wagon
2004 F350
2006 Crown Vic

Tell them to drop the heat shielding and look near the center bearing for spray. there is a 'u-joint' right near it that is part of the driveshaft that can go bad. I've had two with the exact same problem in the last few months and replacing the driveshaft fixed it.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Thanks for the reply, I will have the driveshaft checked when my extended warranty goes into effect.

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1989 190 E 2.6 148K miles

Well Johnhef, you were absolutely right! Dealer removed driveshaft, noted that the u-joint was binding, and replaced entire driveshaft (including center carrier bearing).

Car was at the tail end of the warranty, so it was covered.

No more vibration - it is SO nice to have a problem that has dragged on (literally for several years) completely fixed!

Thanks Johnhef for the great diag!

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2001 e320 wagon
2004 F350
2006 Crown Vic