Hi Guys,
I'm having a little problem that comes and goes. This is on my 1986 300e (w124) My front end sometimes shakes around at high speed. It feels like the tires are out of alignment. I don't believe this is the problem because the condition is worsened when I brake. If I'm jamming down the freeway at 85 MPH or so and step on the brakes to slow, the front end vibrates. I can feel it in the steering wheel and I can feel it in the chassis.

I thought it might be a warped disk, but it sometimes happens without braking. Other times it doesn't happen at all. There is no noise associated with this condition. It never happens at low speeds and everything runs fine.

In the past, someone mentioned perhaps it could be the lower control arms. Perhaps bushings? The car only has 85k on the clock. It is 14 years old, but the mileage is low. Any ideas where I should start?

PS, the front end does not sway like I'm driving an old LTD. It handles fine other than the vibration

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Kyle De Priest
1986 300e
1972 BMW R75/5 (Best there is)

[This message has been edited by DEPRIEST (edited 10-18-2000).]

I expect that your problem is tires. Either they are out of balance, or there is a serious problem with one, such as a broken belt.

You can check the front end for tightness if you have the proper equipment such as a floorjack and jackstands. If you do have such equipment, raise the car, suspend the front wheels, and shake and pry on everything to see if you can find something loose.

Good luck

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I might suggest checking the steering damper and tie rod ends as well. Both can give you this symptom..

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

I would personally Check the front end for any loose parts...Pay special attention to the lower ball joints and the tie rod ends(steering linkage) Another thing to check would be the steering shock absorber,It only takes two 17 mm bolts to remove/install it.It sould be moving smoothly but be firm. Good luck.

Thanks guys, I'll do all that. I especially like the bit about shaking everything under the front end to see what's loose. That's my style. I just got a floor jack the other day. Fancy that...

Do you think if the tires are out of balance (which wouldn't surprise me) that the condition would be especially bad during braking?

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Kyle De Priest
1986 300e
1972 BMW R75/5 (Best there is)

Kyle, balance has really got to be grossly out of whack to cause shaking as speed decreases. Balance problems usually get worse as your speed increases. You might get some vibration at speed, but shaking is really more related to a mechanical problem with the suspension being able to hold the front wheels in a straight line.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

Thanks Jeff, that makes sense to me also. I'll have the tires balanced anyway. It couldn't hurt. I'm going to take the car to the dealership and have them diagonose the problem before I start crawling around on my back under the car. I hate that! That's why I bought a motorcycle to work on and a car to drive.

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Kyle De Priest
1986 300e
1972 BMW R75/5 (Best there is)

Hey Kyle! Up to a joke? That's why Guys like me work on your car and ride a Honda...So I don't have to work at all on the bike...And make big money on MB cars.Good luck on your front end,keep us posted.

How many miles on the car? This will give us all a better ability to take a more accurate stab at your problem...

Almost 85k on the odometer. that's what I meant when I said "the clock"

Thanks for all the help


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Kyle De Priest
1986 300e
1972 BMW R75/5 (Best there is)