94 E420 Steering Problem
 

I am trying to figure out what is going on with my front end suspension. Over the last few weeks or so I have notice that as I approach a curve my steering wheel starts to "shake/ bounce / jump" as if the wheels on the vehicle are about to come off the vehicle. Once I complete the curve the steering is back to normal. The vehicle does not pull to the right nor the left and the front tires don't show any signs of uneven wear.

I first thought it was the steering damper so I replace it. The problem still continue while driving around on curves. I lift the car up and shook the tires on the front end to see if there is any play, but everything seems tight. I am not to knowledgeable about steering nor do I know much about alignments. I usually just pay an alignment shop to do the alignment jobs.

What could the problem be? Is this a sign of bad struts or ball joints? I push down on the front bumper to see how the struts react. The struts seems to be firm not bouncy. At high speeds on the highway there is no problems on the curve any ideas? Thanks

Does the problem occur when turning in either direction?

Yes, it does not matter if I going around a curve to the right or left.

If Im driving around a curve under 50mph. The steering wheel begins to shake/bounce/jump. At higher speeds on the highway no problems.

The only time I ran into something like this was when I was a kid and forgot to fully tighten the lug nuts on my Honda Civic. It looked like the bolts were tight, but they were not. The repair shop was so happy to rub it in that they didn't even charge me for the visit.

Wheels lugs are definitely not loose.

Anyone has had this problem with their E420? Steering wheel shakes while driving around a curve. It does not happen all the time but once it starts shaking it is horrible.

Gotta be worn front end parts. Everything from strut mounts to tie rod ends to ball joints. I didn't see the mileage on your car, but that's what I'd vote for. If you plan on keeping the car I'd invest in new front end parts.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D
'88 300E

It could very well be one of your wheels/tires. With my 560SEC the car was very smooth most of the time at highway speed, but would occasionally start to violently shake with the stock wheels and crappy old tires. My indy suggested that the PO may have used some sort of "fix a flat" product that threw the balance off. Once I replaced the rims and tires the problem went away.

That fix-a-flat is great stuff when you're in a hurry, but I do remember one occasion where the guy at the tire shop couldn't get my tire to balance. Every time he ran the test, it was telling him to change the position of the weight. Turns out that the fix-a-flat was moving around and changing the balance.

How long has it been happening? Did it start suddenly, or slow onset? When were tires last balanced? Do you also feel the wheel/front end being somewhat "loose" when you go over bumps, like a bridge joint at hwy speed?

The vehicle has be doing this for awhile now. It is intermittent sometimes it rides smooth around a curve. Then there are times when it seems as if the wheels are about to come off.

As I stated in earlier post I jack the vehicle up and check to see if suspension is tight and if there is any play. I cant find anything wrong everything is tight and fitted. That is why I am puzzled. The vehicle rides smooth on straight away and I have no problems while turning on curves on the highway at high speeds. Only time I have a problem is when taking a curve anytime under 45-50mph.:(

MB911 Thanks for the post. I have had these rims for years not problem. The front tires were replace a few months ago.

As mine made a major difference after re-seating, I would say have the front bearings checked for play

move your rear tires/wheels to the front and see if it still vibrates ~~~ if it does, something is loose in the front end

OK, I plan on swapping the wheels from front to rear. I will keep you guys posted.

steering problem solved
 

Finally had a chance to jack the vehicle up and put it on jack stands. I started the engine and turn the steering wheel complete to the right. There it is the tire rod on the driver's side was worn out. I was able to turn the wheel right to left with my hand on the tire. As I move the tire from oneside to the other I could see the play from the worn tie rod.

So problem solved worn out tie rod was the issue and cause of the loose tire feeling while driving around curves at low speeds.