Got the 85 500 sel aligned and tires balanced but the car still shakes at speeds over 70mph. If I push to higher speeds, the vibration lessens and then returns at even higher speeds. I didn't push any higher in fear of tickets....I just want the car to be shakeless up to 90mph. The steering wheel vibrates (a bit in the left right direction but more so the whole column, up and down), along w/ the rest of the car. I can feel the vibration on the floor, seat and the dash shakes a bit too.
The front suspension was checked out okay. What do I check next?


Don

What brand and size tire are you running?

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

If it were my car I would take it back and double-check the front wheel balance. Did this just start right after the new tires and alignment?

You could also rotate tires from front to rear and see if the vibration travels with the wheels/tires. If it is clearly from the left front, you could simply rotate the left side wheels/tires.

In my experience it could also be your steering dampener which is easy to check: Take on end off and compress and extend. It should offer resistance in both directions.

Someone once told me that any vibration over 80MPH is always tire balance.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Toyo 205/70/14 came w/ the car and has almost 100% tread remaining. I am looking into getting some 16's but foind out the offsets are not the smae w/ later model wheels.

The vibration is what got me to align and balance. Alignment mech checked the steering dampener along w/ ball joints...etc and gave the okay but I have no idea how he checked.

I am going to play musical wheels this weekend....I hate the MB jack as the darn thing isn't too stable in the fore and aft directions.

Don

I have an 85 500SEL as well, I have the same broblem and have had the suspension, allignment, and tire ballance inspected. I rotated the tires and the problem is still there. It has been sugested that the flex plates on the drive shaft may bee worn but as far as I can see they are in great shape. I have heard that you can get the tires ballanced on the car and that it is much better then having them balanced on their own. I have not found a place that will do it for me.