vibration on 03 CLK 270CDI

[mlc]

a friend has bought the above car with around 35k on the clock and apparently in a1 condition. however at motorway speeds - approx 60 and again at 80 it has a vibration from the back. This is noticable to all in the car and too much to ignore, changing speed makes it go away immediately. Their is no associated noise and no feedback throught the steering / pedals etc.

First thought is a tyre out of balance on the back, however it is worse than I would have expected for just a tyre. anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Mark.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My first check would be to try different tyres on the back, perhaps swap the fronts to the back and see what happens.

It definitely sounds like a balance problem and I've heard of people on this forum experiencing similar vibration at different speeds, which has turned out to be a not so concentric tyre.

You could try using the spare to replace each rear wheel and perhaps this may help isolate the problem.

 

[mlc]

thanks for the suggestion Malcom.

The wheels have now been balanced and swapped front to back but sadly no change.

Any other suggests anyone, I am stuck with this one.

Mark.

 

[mlc]

I thought it was worth sharing what the solution was to this, because I would never have guessed it.

When MB got involved they knew the problem striaght off, a leak in the radiator allowing a little water into the ATF. This is enough to damage the gearbox and cause vibration at speed.

The good news is that the new radiator and auto box is all warranty work so no charge to my friend, the bad news is that the dealership recognised the problem immediately as it was a "common" fault.

How can a radiator only last 2 years / 30K!!!

Mark.

 

[television]

You are right, no one would have got this one. Who in their right mind builds a car where this can happen, was it worth the saving on a rad and soon goodwill. My Saab 9000 had 4 radiators.


Malcolm

 

[tech lee]

the faulty radiators are made by valeo. not mb's fault, this time anyway!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Thanks for posting the details of the fault mlc.

I work in an industry whose maxim is 'fail safe'. I find it hard to believe that MB can design this problem into a car.

I'm a bit concerned about the same happening on my 210, I'd better check that the rad and G/B cooler are separate items.

 

[television]

You are right Malcolm 210 to be concerned, it also worries me that MB are happy for the customer to pay £600 to fix the clock or outside temp display.
And the simple thing like changing a battery can cause a heart attack


Malcolm