CLS Steering vibration

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pss

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After many years of great service from my C Class I recently splashed out on a 2007 CLS 320CDi from a MB specialist Dealer. I have become aware of a fine vibration thro' the steering wheel which is present at all reasonable speeds on any road surface.
The car had had new tyres fitted and I took it back and had the wheels rebalanced but with little effect. I asked the main dealer to check it out and the only thing they suggested was to get the wheels re-balanced especially as the rear offside wheel has got a lot of weights attached. I did see on an American forum that some CLS owners were complaining of the same thing and most put it down to the make of tyre.
Maybe this is just a "characteristic of the car but it is spoiling my enjoyment of it. Any thoughts?
 

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There have been things like hoses from the power steering not being clamped, and touch places where they should not touch. this gives the vibration all the time and is not speed related.

Balancing gives the problem mainly from about 35-40 mph, though more often from 60 mph and up.

Many firms cannot balance wheels correctly

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type49

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Seen a few bent wheels recently - all on the inner rim.
 

Number_Cruncher

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>>all on the inner rim.

The result of hitting the oddly named and horrid speed cushions?
 
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pss

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Thanks for your comments, I will chase up the garage I bought it from. I have not hit any potholes but of course have no idea what the previous owner did. Doe a buckled wheel show up when trying to balance the wheel or does it require a different sort of inspection?
 

television

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Thanks for your comments, I will chase up the garage I bought it from. I have not hit any potholes but of course have no idea what the previous owner did. Doe a buckled wheel show up when trying to balance the wheel or does it require a different sort of inspection?

That is a hard problem that you ask it depends on many things,,but a buckled wheel might not show up if the weight part was still OK.

You would see it on the car just by jacking and spinning a wheel
 

Number_Cruncher

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Yes, there's nothing to stop a buckled wheel showing perfect balance on a balancing machine.

Despite showing perfect balance on the machine, such a buckled wheel would produce vibrastion when used on a car. Buckling is usually quite obvious if you rotate the wheel slowly while watching the rim relative to some fixed point.
 

Alex Crow

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i`ll second that number cruncher.

swapping wheels front to rear could possibly be diagnostic, depending on tyre size etc.
 

brianbrian

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I'll 3rd that after you have jacked the car up safely get a couple of blocks of wood and put them so one piece is close to the inner wheel rim rotate the wheel to see if it is even as it goes round. Hope this helps
 

EGBM

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No vibration on our CLS whatsoever - I know this isn't helpful (sorry) but it might allay fears that CLS's are built like this.
 

hamario

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I have EXACTLY this same issue on my 2000 SL320. I had the balancing/tracking done last week but it hasn't solved the problem. I'm taking it to an MB specialist tonight for them to check it out....

**It should be noted - I have budget tyres on. Not sure if this could be the reason or not. Will wait to see ehat garage says.
 

hamario

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I have EXACTLY this same issue on my 2000 SL320. I had the balancing/tracking done last week but it hasn't solved the problem. I'm taking it to an MB specialist tonight for them to check it out....

**It should be noted - I have budget tyres on. Not sure if this could be the reason or not. Will wait to see ehat garage says.

Well, I'm actually picking my car up tonight. Shall keep you informed
 

television

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Well, I'm actually picking my car up tonight. Shall keep you informed

Good luck,,I never had any problem in 17" wheels on the 129
 

hamario

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Good luck,,I never had any problem in 17" wheels on the 129

Got it back - still the same problem. The garage changed the wheel bearings, and also the front discs/pads.

I feel vibrations on smooth roads, and at low/high speeds.

I'm running out of ideas....very annoying!!
 

television

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Got it back - still the same problem. The garage changed the wheel bearings, and also the front discs/pads.

I feel vibrations on smooth roads, and at low/high speeds.

I'm running out of ideas....very annoying!!

Do you feel it through the steering wheel or through the car
 

hamario

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Are they charging you for all these jobs ?

If so, how much have you spent on this vibration fault so far ?


I had to pay for the new discs/pads - the guy said the discs were 'warped' so needed doing anyway. He did the bearings for nothing.

I dropped the car back there last night for him to take one last look. See what he comes up with - i'm speaking to him later today.
 

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