Vibrating W126s ...

[ymsin]

We have 2 126s - the 300SE and 280SE.

Funny thing is that we have new wheels & tyres. Got them on-wheel (not to mention off wheel) balanced. YET we feel the vibration at sporadic speeds. Not necessarily at precisely 120 (km/h) or 140. It could be 110 or 140 sometimes.

I know the 300SE irons out the vibration at about 160, but feels a little shaky at 140 at times.

Other than going in for more balancing acts, drive shafts mentioned as possibility.

Could there be some other things we ought to look at?

Since the vibration is only at specific speeds, it has to be a harmonic situation. This means that a slight vibration in a rotating part, most likely wheels/tires is being transmitted at very specific frequencies(speeds) this would make me believe that there is a loose suspension component.

It's time to raise the car safely and push, pull, pry and prod on components to find what's loose.

Best of luck,

[kennysin]

The 83 w126 mentioned above is mine.

I have had this problem since I acquired the car. I have changed most of the undercarriage components including tie-rods, steering damper, ball joints etc and there is no more element of play. I had previously performed on car wheel balancing on the original rims with some improvement, and recently changed the rims and tires (Simmons 3-piece 15", 225/60/15).

I now find that the vibration is inducible at 140km/hr and goes away after 150km/hr which is similar despite previous rim/tires/various balancing manouvers. However, it is more pronounced when going downhill or pressing on, and hardly felt when uphill or cruising gently.

I have recently developed increased road roar and have pinpointed it to a worn out bearing in the left front wheel which I will be rectifying soon. Could a worn bearing translate to some play in the wheel causing this vibration? Alternatively could this be drive shaft wear?

[ymsin]

The car is now in the workshop for its routine service.

Have asked that the suspension be checked, as per Larry's advise. They mentioned that the first they'd do (from their experience assuming the wheel is balanced) is to check the wheel bearings for "free-play".

Hopefully, there would be a solution somehow.

[ymsin]

Yup - so they check and found the RH side wheel bearing to be loose. Done what they had to do, and now for the wheel to be balanced.

It ought to sort the shaky feel for now ... (fingers crossed).

[ymsin]

Had the wheels balanced today.

I think the "problem" has been ironned out.

Thanks all for your comments.

"And no, John, I don't think its source lies within Indonesia ... "