What is the most common cause of steering wheel vibration? My wheel only vibrates when going 50 plus mph. It is not a severe vibration by any means, but it is enough to make me want to fix it. My car just got new tires, and alignment. It does not vibrate any more or excessively when braking either. What about the steering damper? I know it's hard to tell, but what is COMMON based upon my symptoms? Or is this just pretty much NORMAL?

Was it when you got your new tires and alignment this behaviour started??

Nope, when I got the new tires and alignment done, it was slightly improved. Now it's still slightly bad. I think it just might me normal with 85K miles. It's not bad at all. I just want to correct what I can though.

If you said that when you "got the new tires and alignment done, it was slightly improved" - it could only mean that your balancing of tyres need to be attended to.

If at all balancing did little to remedy your vibration - then it could be possible that your wheel is damaged somewhere.

My 300SE used to have terrible vibrations.

We found the fault as follows:

Balancing was worse on Dunlop, and improved on Michellin - changed all 4 to Michellin.

Balancing improved with less vibration on steering wheel, but noticeable at 70 mph upwards.

Changed all 4 tyres, and the balancing/vibration has since stopped.

My 260E did the same thing and it took two pair of Goodyears, a set a BF Goodrich before it stopped with a set of Michelins. Mine wouldn't start the subtle vibration until 65 mph, so I thought maybe it was mechanical and off to my mechanic I went. He showed me where the tires were out of round, and these were new. That is when I got my Michelin tire speech. Mounted the Michelins, and it hasn't vibrated since, at any mph.

Wheel Vibration
 

Your rim is bent... Prior to hitting the pot hole in Philly, I went through 2 sets of Michelins, without any vibration at all, after that it would vibrate at certain speeds...

DId you replace the "steering shock"?

What is the steering shock? Is that the same as the steering damper? Is that costly? Is it a DIY job?
My rim could be bent, a few potholes here and there and normal wear I suppose over 85K of driving could just normally offset it I suppose... Thanks for all the info guys.

Steering dampner = $30.00 or less from PartsShop.

Time to install = 15 minutes +/- (including time to run up on ramps and remove the old one).

DIY job? = Definitely

Mike,
Thanks for the info. How often do these need to be replaced? So I need to get under the car to replace? GRR, I suppose it will finally force me to buy some ramps. Boy am I going to need help with this one from you all!!! Thanks Mike.

I'll throw in my two cents on the Michelins. I went through two set of Pirelli P-6s, one set of Yokohama Avid V-4s and finally Michelin MXV4s. I wish I had found them earlier. They solved a lot of the minor, irritating vibration problems. I've been told on one occasion or another that those other tires were "out-of-round". Not the case with the Michelins though.

On the steering damper, mine went out on the way to Hershey's world. I hit an expansion strip on the highway and my steering wheel bounced up and down like crazy. I thought the car was about to fall apart. Fix it before it gets bad.

My 2 cents: Did you have the tires mounted/balanced at an MB dealership? If not, the absolute 1st place I'd start is there. MB dealerships use a high-speed balancing machine which does a noticeably better job than others. Also, "official" MB weights are 2-piece weights which stay on the wheel; the typical one-piece weights eventually fly off.

David, you should put your spare on and then drive around to see if the shaking stops. Start with the front wheels. If one of the wheels are bent that will let you know right away. The rim could be bent just a little, you may not be able to see it.....

When was the last time you've gotten your shocks inspected? I've had similar problem with a Mitsubishi once and it turned out to be one of the rear shocks to be bad. Also check if your engin mount. It could be a combination of both. Hope this helps.

You guys have all been so helpful. My car has Yokohama Avid H4s. I got them about a month ago for $90 a peice. They seem like a good tire, they hug the road fairly well when cornering and are a good compromise to ride/comfort.
Just now, I went on a 2 hour drive through Orange County to deliver paperwork (part of my job) to numerous offices. The steering wheel vibrated much less when doing 80 or 90, than at 60. Prior to going on my drive, I ordered a new steering damper. NOw that I am back, I decided I do not need one! The order has already been shipped, so I suppose I will keep it and change it anyway (??) or wait until something happens to my current one??
I believe the shocks on my car are the originals, and will probably be needing replacement fairly soon (15K + miles), and figure that might slightly improve it as well.
As for my spare, it is the original COntinental spare that came with the car (I believe...). Or did they come with Michellins in 1995 (actually 10-94)??
And no the tires were not balanced at an MB dealership, so I am sure that that could also be part of the problem.
Maybe my next tire will be Michellin MX4s?? For now, I will have to drive the life out of these Yokohamas.
I am guessing that there are many minute reasons as to why it vibrates. But like I said, it doesn't vibrate hardly at all above 80, all the way up to 120.
I entered the 405 FWY from another (55) FWY and there were NO CARS, this is SO CAL?! What was going on?? There was not a person in sight in front or behind me!!! So I floored it all the way up to 120 mph, I have NEVER gone that fast in my car! I just wanted to see how it handled. It was surely pushed a bit by crosswinds, but other than my knees shaking from nervousness, the car drove wonderfully! And NO wheel vibration. Seems like it only occurs between (roughly) 40 and 65/70 mph.
Thanks again all.