My '97 E420 has horrible steering vibrations. It used to be at speeds above 60 and on the highway, but it recently does it all the time, especially on highway curves. I would call it a steering "shimmey." My dealer has balanced my wheels, replaced both front shocks, performed alignment, and replaced the control arms including all bushings. I took it to a tire retailer and they inspected my car telling me the tire/steering Extention rods need to be replaced. Also could it be that I have an aftermarket rim on the drivers side. Please give me some advice.

Did you try to rotate the tire.

Do you have just one aftermarket rim on the car? Why not just use the spare instead? I'm wondering if differing gross wieghts of the two front wheels would cause this sort of problem. One of the techs will have an answer...

Try mounting the non-OE wheel on the rear.
Try doing a spin balance on each front wheel to pinpoint which side is the culprit.
The tire may be balanced but if it has a broken belt inside it won't show up on the balancer, only with weight on it rolling down the road.
Try these three and you may find your problem.
By the way, what brand tires are on your car?

I would almost bet that the rim is your problem or the result of a bad hit? Why do you have an aftermarket rim on your car?

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

I just had the tires rotated and balanced. In response to your comments, a new rim costs $430 and an aftermarket costs $150. When this problem occured last time, the bushings were replaced and things got much better. The aftermarket has been upfront before. OEM rims crack very easily. Also the suspension feels like the car is disconnected from the wheels(front only), it is real wobbly and it digs into potholes and bumps, what could it be. Thanks for all replies.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU HAVE OE WHEELS ON FOUR CORNERS OF YOUR CAR. MB'S ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO PROPER WHEEL AND TIRE FITTMENTS PARTICULARLY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IF YOU AFTERMARKET WHEEL IS DAMAGED I CAN FIX IT, OR I CAN REPLACE IT WITH A USED OE WHEEL. WE GENERALLY GET 1/2 PRICE FOR A USED WHEEL. CALL ME SO I CAN IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHICH ONE YOU NEED. IF THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS IT COULD BE EITHER THE TIRE OR MORE LIKELY SOMETHING WORN OUT OR MISADJUSTED RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION.
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[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 05-10-99).]