Vibrating W124 E280

[Scop]

I'm a new merc owner and have picked up a one owner 100K 1994 E280 estate with mostly merc history except the last 37k miles when it was serviced by non merc. I love the quality and you get a nice special feeling knowing that they certainly don't make 'em like that anymore

Whats spoiling the car is a vibration through the steering wheel which starts at 60-70 ish, when you get to 80-85 you can feel the vibration through the car and it then seems as though its also eminating from the rear ! There is also a vibration from the brake pedal when breaking form higher speeds and a few clonks from the front suspension when going over rougher roads.

Its booked into an indie on Monday, I'd just like to hear from any experts out there what you think. I suspect I may be in for new prop doughnuts and wheel bearings.

 

[mioba]

non balanced or buckled wheel

 

[television]

I am 100% sure that it is only wheel balancing, the fact that you can feel it through the steering shows more front wheels than back, also that you can feel it on the brakes, MB's do not have much of a problem with the propshaft, as Mobia says could be a buckled wheel.

Malcolm

 

[Scop]

Thanks chaps, I'll let you know the outcome. Do you reckon the suspension clonks could be bushes/bearings ?

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks chaps, I'll let you know the outcome. Do you reckon the suspension clonks could be bushes/bearings ?

If from the front, most likely anti-roll bar bushes. If from the rear could wheel bearings.

 

[Bolide]

Clonks & whirrs

At the front I'd look for old, tired, oval or conical tyres, wheel balance, front-end geometry, worn front ARB bushes, loose wheel bearings, worn steering idler, worn front balljoints, warped discs and broken front springs

At the rear I'd look at the bushes each end of the trackrods that set the tracking

Worn prop doughnuts normally clonk on take-up when you start off

The cheapest & most effective freshen up for these cars is a set of new ARB bushes and new front balljoints. Parts will cost you under £70 for the whole lot at a dealer and fitting will take a couple of hours max. You'd be amazed at what a difference it makes


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[johnnycapone]

I would go for wheel balancing or as suggested a buckled wheel.
regards
John

 

[Seeker_UK]

I would suggest that the wheels are out of balance (front and rear) and perhaps there's a warped brake disk in there (quite common in an auto).

Wouldn't hurt to get the front wishbones and bushes checked all round either.

 

[Scop]

Just an update, the indie has adjusted the wheel bearings, fitted a new steering damper and put on new rear discs and pads. Thats all made a huge difference, still a bit of a shake but its much sharper to drive. Its off for new tyres tommorow as they are a rare old mix at the moment so the balancing will be sorted then. Its then going back in soon for anti roll bar bushes.

Thanks for all the advice, this really is an invaluable site !

 

[tom7035]

You now seem to have things pretty well covered, but when having the ARB bushes done check the front springs as bolide suggests - a known issue. Can be hard to spot with just a casual glance as its usually the bottom coil 'way down in the spring cup.

 

[Scop]

Thanks again for all the help, I've now got four new tyres (Continentals) and I had the tracking done. I've not had a chance to get to 90 yet but the steering wobble seems a little better.

I made the mistake of getting the tracking done as well, now its been done the steering wheel is about 5degrees to the right when going straight !:neutral: They said it was 3mm out originally. Needless to say they'll be seeing the car again today !