Car 'wobble' on sl500.

Rob6165

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Hi,
I have a 1993 SL500 and I have a 'wobble' over around 60 mph which feels like a wheel is out of balance but over the whole car not the steering.
I have had all the wheels balanced,checked their psi.There is no obvious wheel play from wheel bearings.
The car is great to drive but not quite smooth enough.
Has any body any ideas?
Could it be the propshaft or shocks or tyres misshaped?
:(

Many thanks,

Rob.
 

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Either prop center bearing or a UJ at either end.

The tyres are the biggest reason,,why not put the front on the rear and try the car,,if you only feel it through the steering then balancing
 

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as Malcolm. my e class has a similar problem and if it ever dries up outside im planning to swap wheels front to back.
 
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Rob6165

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Thank you for you replies,
I have swapped the wheels back to front but no joy.
Which bearing is the most likely to go and is it a DIY job?( I can on the car via a car lift).

Cheers,Rob.
 

turbopete

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the centre bearing on the propshaft or it could be the universal joint at 1 end or the other of the shaft. diy job? depends on how mechanically minded you are and what tools you have access to that you may need (presses etc)
 

Cole@MBS

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The rubber donut break up on them big time!! seen some in bits!!
 

turbopete

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thanks SAM i forgot about that! theyre at the end instead of a universal joint if im thinking of the right item!
 

Cole@MBS

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thanks SAM i forgot about that! theyre at the end instead of a universal joint if im thinking of the right item!

That you are Pete, on the output shaft of the gearbox to the prop!!!
 
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Rob6165

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Thanks for the input guys.
I shall put her on my car lift tomorrow and see what has worn.
I hope I can find the problem because it is taking the edge of a lovely car. I swapped my porsche 968 cab for the sl and havn't looked back.The sl is much easier to work on and the parts are heaps cheaper!
PS I had a stainless steel exhaust made for her yesterday,straight through system which sounds great and a bit more power.Thinking about getting a de-cat pipe made as the cats drain quite a few horses.

Any way,thanks,Rob.:)
 

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We can give you the job sheet if you are going to do it your self...if it is the center one then a lot of work as it has to come off
 

teddycatkin

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Only about an hour for an experienced workshop--but if you do decide to have a go mark all peices with tippex so you can align them when refitting--also if its the front doughnut--put two large jubilee clips together around it to compress it when fitting and putting bolts through --but make sure you take it off after?
 
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Rob6165

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Hi,
I have just put the car on the ramps and had a look at the large rubber donuts and found that they are in good order no visible tears of rips but I have noticed that one or two of the bolts are missing a washer and the others do have washers. Could this be the problem for the unbalance? If so does anyone know which bolts should have washers and which shouldn't? Cheers Rob.:confused:
PS A mercedes specialist had taken the gearbox out to mend a oil leak previously, therefore I'm thinking he missed some washers off or put more washers on that he should have?!
 

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The washers are hardly likely to upset the balance, can you move the prop in the center bearing area up and down.
Another thing is engine mounts,,if they fail or become weak,then this can throw the drive chain out of line
 

Number_Cruncher

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It's still possible that the wheels and tyres are the problem.

If there's a buckled rim, or if the tyre has developed a local defect which makes it out of round, then, it's possible for the wheel and tyre to be perfectly balanced in the inertial sense (i.e., the balancing machine will read 0 - 0 ) but still transmit varying forces into the car.
 
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Rob6165

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Hi,

I still have the 'wobble' problem after 60mph.
I have removed the exhaust so I can inspect the middle rubber ring.
The drive shaft does move up an down a bit as the rubber ring is flexible.
Is this how it is supposed to be or should it be rigged?

Thanks,

Rob.
 

kth286

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The washers are hardly likely to upset the balance,

Incorrect.

Mercedes do a series of special (different weighted) washers just for that purpose - to balance the prop shaft at the diff end.

So those missing washers may just be the problem.

Look at that parts site and see how many you should have at that rear connection.
 

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Rob6165

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I shall count the washers again.
The gearbox has been removed recently so it could be the washers,anything else to look for if it has not been put back together correctly?
Thanks,

Rob.
 

kth286

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I suppose that is the difference between theory and practice.

The process of balancing the propshaft is described in 124 work sheet 41-080 and shows the 3 different balancing nuts of different weights and 3 different washers of different weights.

eg. 1.5 g nut (1mm thick) is listed as 124 411 02 72 and costs 1.3 pounds.

It will be similar for SL cars (129 models) as they are based on 124 chassis.
 


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