I'm picking up bad vibrations!!!

[flashharry]

It started today, it's more like a trembling going thru my t200 estate. It starts when I put it in drive then goes away when i get up to about 40 mph.
I must confess that I have a slow puncture on the rear tyre which I pumped up to 3,0 ; would that do it? Anyway I will get the tyres changed tomorrow whatever. Bummer, as I have spent two years getting this great car into shape thanks to this forum. Thanks for any help :

 

[brandwooddixon]

It's quite possible that whatever caused your puncture is still in the tyre and is causing this, or the tyre is out of shape (having maybe gone fully flat and then being pumped back up).

Let us know if you still have a problem when you've had it changed.

 

[flashharry]

thanks I will; the problem is that I live in a placed called Shut, which is on the outskirts of closed, in the country of France Thing is it trembles when I put it in drive nothing in neutral and reverse.

 

[wireman]

Does this occur when static and in drive?

If its only as you move off and drive away it may be one of the two rubber universal joints on the propshaft, the back one is easy to see the front one hides above the gear box back mounting. They tend to split the rubber and go missaligned, if you swing on the propshaft at each end (lift up the car so that you can feel and see what's happening first) the coupling should not move or distort, if it does the coupling should be replaced.

If it does it when static then the engine mounts become prime suspect. The cooling fan should be central to its cowl, if its low then the mounts have sagged and will cause damage to your propshft couplings if left unattended.

There are several types of replacement mounts available some cheap and others expensive, if needed get the Merc ones they are better in isolating the engine vibrations from the body.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Ah well spotted - I didn't take in that it happens as soon as you put the car in drive whilst stationary.

If the engine sounds OK with no missing and there is no vibration whilst in neutral then I'd say engine mounts are the number on suspect.

 

[flashharry]

engine mountings eh ! would this cost me un bra et une jambe ? There is a merc dealership here . I had an english mechanic do my head gasket here in France, would it be in his range ?

At this point I would like to say that this forum has helped me so much in the past and I would like to say thanks to all the experts who have pointed me in the right directions.

 

[brandwooddixon]

I wouldn't expect engine mounts to cost more than £150 (what I paid for my V8 lump) for the pair and will take no more than 2 hours to fit. They're pricey becuase they're oil filled.
Original MB parts are recommended as they're generally better quality and as you quote you VIN will be specific to your car model.

 

[wireman]

I put the cheapo ones on that GSF sell for £25ea they aint the best at isolating the sound, I wish I'd put the genuine merc ones on, maybe I will this spring.
It takes about 45mins a side, dead easy see DIY section.

 

[flashharry]

well, i got a quote of 279 euros all in to replace them; the parts are 160 euros . I don't think the garage is using merc parts though. Anyway, I have to have it done