99 c250 vibration through steering wheel

[Ad777]

Hi all, I hope someone can Gove some advice.
I have done a lot to this car steering wise..ball joints track rod ends, shocks discs and pads, as well as the 4 anti roll bar bushes and bearings. I have always had wobble through the steering wheel above 60, and had wheels balanced, bought cleaner wheels, good tyres. Just had them balanced today... same as ever. Can anyone suggest what else I can do? Can't find any play at the front end. Appreciated Adam

 

[Blobcat]

Are the wheels round?
Alloys bend pretty easily these days (size dependant)

 

[Ad777]

They look pretty good.. the replacements anyway. And watched the guy balance them to zero. Stumped!

 

[Blobcat]

They look pretty good.. the replacements anyway. And watched the guy balance them to zero. Stumped!

You can balance an oval wheel... it will still shake though

 

[matthew k]

Jack the front up, place stands in the correct places for safety too. Turn the steering right, check the O/S wheel by spinning it. Check the inside for any distortion, check the outside for the same plus any lateral deviation, turn the steering the other way and repeat for the other side.

Also check the tyres for any wobbling etc. Take the wheels off and turn the hubs by hand, is there any intermittent binding or run out on the hub? I doubt the anti roll bar and linkages would be the source of any vibes, but worth checking all bushing at the same time. A bent wheel can balance up nicely without taking much weight, but still be distorted enough to produce your symptoms. Check both bearings for play, they can definitely cause vibration if too loose, I've got very recent experience of this myself on my W211.

I always think when it comes to vibrations in a car Occam's Razor best comes into play.

 

[Ad777]

Thank you foe that detailed reply..as you and others have suggested it looks like a slightly buckled wheel, that still balanced up beautifully!
I have another old rusty set, put the front pair on, vibration nearly non existent.
Thank you all very much for your input!

 

[matthew k]

Thank you foe that detailed reply..as you and others have suggested it looks like a slightly buckled wheel, that still balanced up beautifully!
I have another old rusty set, put the front pair on, vibration nearly non existent.
Thank you all very much for your input!

I think that's usually the case, but before you grab that wheel and launch it over the the fence remember, there's people who can straighten them, often for as little as £40.

But check the bearings, play in those will amplify any vibrations coming from the wheel itself or bushings.

 

[Ad777]

I will certainly investigate that! Bearings replaced, so all good there. Many thanks again!

 

[matthew k]

I will certainly investigate that! Bearings replaced, so all good there. Many thanks again!

If you do get it/straightened make sure they know what they're doing. Aluminium doesn't like being bashed/knocked about too much, can change it's properties.

 

[mattkh]

They look pretty good.. the replacements anyway. And watched the guy balance them to zero. Stumped!

I was going to suggest the steering wheel damper. Dont know if modern Mercs have them.

 

[Ad777]

I think we are ok now but good to know!

 

[Ad777]

I was going to suggest the steering wheel damper. Dont know if modern Mercs have them.

Does anyone know if my model has a steering damper on it?! I would like to check/ replace if it does! And an idea of its location would be great too if one is there! Many thanks as ever.