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#1
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Car Vibrates/shakes at 80 mph and higher
I have a 92 300d, stock tires/rims. When I went to Dallas recently, I noticed at high speeds the entire car would shake/vibrate. It happens at 80-85 mph. There is no vibration at any lower speeds.
From other threads, I have read it could be a bent rim, unbalanced tires or an alignment. The tires are michelins, but are showing some dry rot. I am going to replace them soon, but want to ensure my solutions are executed in the correct order. Additionally, I am going to get an alignment since it pulls to the right. Here is the steps which I am going to do them in: 1) get new tires mounted/balanced 2) get alignment First, do the above solutions seem like the correct treatment for the problem? Is there something else that should be done prior to me getting tires? TIA.
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2005 E320 CDI - 101K |
#2
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It sounds like tire balancing to me, but at such a high speed, I guess the front end would be pretty sensitive to anything being out of whack...
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1989 300E 144K |
#3
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"high speed" is relative, these cars cruise effortlessly at a buck-twenty. 85 isn't even into the high-speed end of its design.
If there is anything loose in the front suspension, do that first. Otherwise your plan looks great to me.
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Gone to the dark side - Jeff |
#4
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If the "entire car" is vibrating, and you cannot attribute that to the front end...........the driveline might be the cause.
Michelins usually don't deteriorate with time...........although at the dry rot stage, anything is possible. Replace the tires and rule them out first. |
#5
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The tire replacement and alignment should be done at the same time.
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#6
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Does that model have the rubber couplers on the driveshaft and a center bearing like my 83? My GTO had those couplers and when I stomped on it it shook bad when they were worn out.
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1983 300D Euro, for commuting and looking cool 2005 Pontiac GTO, 1000HP for going fast in a straight line 2009 Triumph Speed Triple 1050, for going fast around corners 1984 Toyota 4-Runner on 37's with a Supra turbo engine, just because 2003 Chevy 2500HD diesel, for towing the horses and car |
#7
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If you feel the vibrations mostly in the steering wheel, the front wheels are the culprits. If mostly in your back transmitted by the seat, then the rear wheels are wrong. Drive line may also cause vibrations, but check the wheel balancing first.
The right sequence would be the following: 1. check for any play in suspension (control arms) and steering components. Replace as needed as otherwide proper alignment will be impossible. 2. Do the alignment before changing the tires as wear will give the technician good info. Plus, you will tear your new tires faster if the alignment is wrong. 3. Change the tires and make sure proper attention is given to balancing. I just solved a bad vibration occuring at 80 mph by having the wheels re-balanced. Until then I thought it was the driveline as the tires were changed little before and I assumed the balancing had been done properly. I was wrong. |
#8
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Follow up on where we are-
I got an alignment yesterday. It was not off too bad, but did need some toe and caster adjustment. I drove it at highway speeds and the shake still occurred. I put on a new tires today - Michelin Primacy MXV4 from Costco. I took it for another spin and it was solid. No shaking. So the tires were the culprit. I am going to take it back and get aligned again - it has a 6 month/6000 miles warranty. Thanks for the input and help.
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2005 E320 CDI - 101K |
#9
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with my 190 i had the same problem. it was the bald tires and alignment.
i recommend michelins or bfgoodrich.
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Current 2006 E320 CDI, 57K bought at 67K "Liesl" 1986 190E 2.3-16, 198K bought at 56K "Brigitta" 1987 300TD (Chuggin Along), 292K "Friedrich" 1995 E320 Wagon, 200K "Louisa" Past 1987 300SDL, (sold) 125K, bought for 1$ "Kurt" |
#10
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arcteryx, please explain why you're going to have another alignment done when it was done 2 days ago.
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Fred Hoelzle |
#11
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I have a friend who had her wheels balanced at a Mercedes dealer using a "high speed balancing" machine and her car was MUCH better afterwards. Don't remember how much that cost, but even regular balancing should help. In her case the vibration was mainly limited to speeds between 65 and 75 I think.
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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century OBK #55 1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles 2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles 2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles |
#12
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Quote:
2) As I understand, new tires can cause slight changes in alignment. I'd rather not risk uneven wear on new tires
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2005 E320 CDI - 101K |
#13
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arcteryx, where did you have the alignment done? I rather doubt that a MB dealer would offer free alignments for 6 months/6,000 miles, and that's the only place I would take a MB automobile for an alignment. The tires are best balanced on a Hunter Road Force machine. Again, the only place I would have tires mounted/balanced would be a MB dealer because they have the 2-piece balance weights for that vintage wheel.
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Fred Hoelzle |
#14
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Quote:
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2005 E320 CDI - 101K |
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