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  #1  
Old 07-31-2009, 01:54 PM
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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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  #2  
Old 07-31-2009, 02:00 PM
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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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  #3  
Old 07-31-2009, 06:52 PM
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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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Old 07-31-2009, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arcteryx View Post
the entire car would shake/vibrate.
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.
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Old 07-31-2009, 08:16 PM
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The tire replacement and alignment should be done at the same time.
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  #6  
Old 08-07-2009, 10:46 AM
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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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  #7  
Old 08-14-2009, 05:38 PM
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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.
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Old 09-08-2009, 11:23 PM
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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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Old 09-08-2009, 11:38 PM
Greg
 
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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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  #10  
Old 09-09-2009, 07:41 AM
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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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Old 09-09-2009, 03:44 PM
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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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Old 09-09-2009, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferdman View Post
arcteryx, please explain why you're going to have another alignment done when it was done 2 days ago.
1) It's free for the next 6 months/6000 miles
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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Old 09-10-2009, 09:41 AM
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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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  #14  
Old 09-10-2009, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferdman View Post
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.
NTB

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