W208 CLK 230 Komp - slight steering shake at speed

[GlosRichCLK]

Hi All,

Just getting a slight steering shake at speed, around 60-70mph in my old CLK.

Its recently had new tyres and balancing, and a new steering damper at a recent service.

The garage said the passenger side lower ball joint needs replacing asap as it has play in it. although the MoT didnt pick it up.

Would the ball joint cause the steering shake at speed, or is it the wheel balance?

Thanks

Rich

 

[Coupe]

Do you have larger wheels/tyres? I had similar problem and previous owner had gone too far with wheel/tyre mods so changed back to a slightly smaller size which cured mine.
Depends how worn the lower bushes are but couldn't be that bad if not noticed on MOT (unlikely to be missed)
My local garage has a ramp that shakes the suspension usually revealing any faults.

 

[oigle]

I'd get the balance re-done and have tyres checked for out-of-round at same time.

Ian.

 

[LostKiwi]

Lower balljoint is only £30 from ECP and easy to change.
I'd get balancing rechecked, check for out of true alloy (should be possible to check on balancer machine) and out of round tyre as mentioned.

 

[GlosRichCLK]

Do you have larger wheels/tyres? I had similar problem and previous owner had gone too far with wheel/tyre mods so changed back to a slightly smaller size which cured mine.
Depends how worn the lower bushes are but couldn't be that bad if not noticed on MOT (unlikely to be missed)
My local garage has a ramp that shakes the suspension usually revealing any faults.

No its just running the original 16" Merak style Alloys, with Uniroyal Rainsport 3 new all around.

 

[GlosRichCLK]

I'd get the balance re-done and have tyres checked for out-of-round at same time.

Ian.

Alloys are being refurbed this week, so I'd hope the powder coaters or the tyre fitters would say if one of the alloys is bent, they all look ok, no major kerbing.

 

[GlosRichCLK]

Lower balljoint is only £30 from ECP and easy to change.
I'd get balancing rechecked, check for out of true alloy (should be possible to check on balancer machine) and out of round tyre as mentioned.

As mentioned the alloys are being refurbed this week, and the tyres are all new. When I get them all back on the car, if it still does it, then I'll get the balljoint changed.

Will have to use a local independent as Mercedes Chelt & Glos wanted £170 to change it....

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Any worn steering/suspension joint can cause a wheel wobble.

I would get a Mercedes Independent to cast his eye over it rather than a fast fit centre.