2005 E320CDI Estate -steering

[rothbury]

Hello I'm new on here and thought someone might have an answer to my steering problems as so far MB in Newbury haven't! I've seen a few similar posts on this and read your replies but I think my problem is slightly different.
When driving in town about 25-30 mph the steering wheel has a noticeable "shimmy" - this stops as you get a bit faster. When in atraffic queue the steering wheel starts moving to the left on its own! If you turn it a bit to the right it comes back again in little jerks and ends up going to the left a bit. As far as I can see there is no uneven wear on the front tyres though they are down to about 2mm. I also get the pull to the left at speed irrespective of the camber of the road. Any ideas?

 

[rpe2]

Hello and welcome.

Almost certainly a tyre out of shape, or a wheel out of balance.

Get the tracking done properly and the wheel balance checked. Elite Wheels and tyres in Reading have the kit to do 4 wheel laser alignment.

 

[rothbury]

Hello and welcome.

Almost certainly a tyre out of shape, or a wheel out of balance.

Get the tracking done properly and the wheel balance checked. Elite Wheels and tyres in Reading have the kit to do 4 wheel laser alignment.

Thanks Richard that's reassuring as i imagined some terminal problem with the power steering!

 

[television]

I do not think that any wheel faults would appear at under 30-40 mph.

I will have a look later at the power steering faults list later

 

[rpe2]

Sorry I had missed the bit in the OP about the wheel moving at stationary.

I take it that the dealership have checked the fluid?

 

[delboy777]

Broken front spring or siezed top mounting? maybe maybe not

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

hi rothbury, i have a 97. e300. td. 7 seater estate. i have the slight pulling to the left problem. i tried the full four wheel alignment laser check, new tyres, etc. even had the steering wheel taken off and straight ahead aligned. eventually i was advised to visit a exp, merc. man in southport, lancs, he said this is quite common on the big mercs, they learn the camber. i am talking very slight pull, no noise and more of a nuisense than anything else, if your veh. is more noticable then more attention to your steering geometry and hydraulics may be required. best of luck. herbiemercman.

 

[rothbury]

hi rothbury, i have a 97. e300. td. 7 seater estate. i have the slight pulling to the left problem. i tried the full four wheel alignment laser check, new tyres, etc. even had the steering wheel taken off and straight ahead aligned. eventually i was advised to visit a exp, merc. man in southport, lancs, he said this is quite common on the big mercs, they learn the camber. i am talking very slight pull, no noise and more of a nuisense than anything else, if your veh. is more noticable then more attention to your steering geometry and hydraulics may be required. best of luck. herbiemercman.

Thanks for all your helpful advice everyone! The car is going back in next week so I'll let you know the outcome. I have passed on all the thoughts to the service department.

 

[rothbury]

Hello and welcome.

Almost certainly a tyre out of shape, or a wheel out of balance.

Get the tracking done properly and the wheel balance checked. Elite Wheels and tyres in Reading have the kit to do 4 wheel laser alignment.

Mb Newbury managed to have the car for a whole day and gave it me back in
the same state, Took it to Protech near kingsclere and he was first rate. Checked it all out and indeed a tyre WAS out of shape and tracking all out.
Headley tyres fitted two new fronts and all is well. Thank you all for your input.
Incidentally while your server was down I went on to another forum and picked up a bit of a tip about " getting your E class accelerating fast when you push the throttle". Don't know whether you 've read it but it entails switching ignition to position 1, pushing accelerator flat to the floor, holding it for thirty seconds then switching off and not starting for 2 minutes.
Appe[arently this resets the ecu to factory settings. Believe it or not the car is much more responsive now. Anyone heard of this?