I have replaced the following items on my car ('86 300E) but still have a vibration when going over rough roads - seems like the whole car kind of bounces to the undulations of the road:

Shocks - all around with Bilstein comforts
All four sub-frame bushings
All control links on the rear
Tie rods and drag link
Idler arm bushing kit
Sway bar bushings - front and rear

If anyone could shed some light on the problem, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

hs

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1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

Body bounce and vibration are two different phenomena. Body bounce is a result of too little rebound damping for the road contour and speed, but even the OE "comfort shocks" on most MBs provide excellent rebound control unless the roads are exeptionally poor and you drive VERY fast. Base MB suspensions feature relatively soft springs, lots of suspension travel, and excellent damping. In general, there are no more competent road cars.

Vibration is usually shaking of the steering wheel or some other component at fairly high frequency. It can be caused by various tire and suspension problems. If you have installed lower profile tires than OE they can often cause annoying vibrations, even if the tires have no radial force variation and the suspension is in excellent working order, because the suspension was engineered for the transmissibility and damping characteristics of the OE tires. Lower profile tires are much stiffer and have less damping, so they can tranmit a lot more high frequency road input into the chassis and cabin.

Duke

Is you car lowered with shorter/stiffer springs? Does this undulation present itself on different road countour and different speeds?

I only experience this problem on one stretch of road maybe 3 blocks long and no other. I attributed this to the perfect matching of speed, frequency of road undulation (peaks and valleys), and suspension characteristics. Somehow, this combination doesn't trigger the dampening of the shocks and resonates the travel of the spring.... i.e. it's natural frequency... This is just my theory so don't hold me to it.... Seems to work for me since it always happens on that stretch of road in 70K of driving....

cheers....

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sjsfiji

'87 W124 260E (DD)
98K orig. mi. @7/15
CLK 7-Spoke Forged Wheels
Neuspeed springs/Bilstein Sport
4/3 bump (F/R)

'97 993 Carrera
106K orig. mi.
Always driven like it's stolen

I haven't lowered the car and am running the stock size tires.

__________________
1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

Are you sure that the is PROPERLY aligned? When I had new tires put on my car and of course the subsequent balancing and alignment done the car still felt very funny. The handleing and feel of the road was not right.

Took it back to the alignment shop and sure enough after hooking it back upto the machine the alignment was incorrect. Re-alignment and the car felt SO much better!

Iggy

PS also measuring the tire pressure at cold temp is very wise, even running the car 2 kilometers to the gas station can vary your pressure reading..........

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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

2006 - Suzuki Gran Vitara (2.0 L fully equipped) Like this car so far except for trying to put on the seatbelt.
1988 - 190e - 2.3L - 172K miles (It now belongs to the exwife)
1999 - Chevy Blazer LS Fully Equiped - killed it June 2006
2001 - Honda Civic EX - 68K miles (sold June 2004)
1963 - 220S - Dual Carb 6 cyl. (sold)
1994 - Yamaha WaveRaider (fun to ride)

I agree with euronatura...

Check alignment and tire pressure first. If your setup is basically stock in all counts and problem/symptom persists, you just might some other problem i.e. bushing, loose suspension component.

good luck,

__________________
sjsfiji

'87 W124 260E (DD)
98K orig. mi. @7/15
CLK 7-Spoke Forged Wheels
Neuspeed springs/Bilstein Sport
4/3 bump (F/R)

'97 993 Carrera
106K orig. mi.
Always driven like it's stolen

I am currently getting the vehicle aligned and will post the results shortly.

Also, if the lower (f & r) control arm bushings are bad, would it result in vibration problems. I think they are the original busings from 1986 and replacing them would be my next project.

__________________
1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold