Vibration through steering wheel even after wheel balancing

The Boy Wizz

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Hi,

I have a ML320 (W164) and put new(ish) tyres on my 20” rims. Over the past few weeks I noticed vibration through the steering wheel at certain speeds and some noticeable shaking under braking. I decided to get the wheels balanced as it was only £15 and seemed the most obvious cause. I would say the balancing had slightly improved the vibration but +65mph it is still there. Any ideas what to check next? I’ve read things about brakes sticking on or something about rotors. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
 

LostKiwi

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Could also because bent rim though I would have hoped the guy doing the balancing might have noticed.
I had three bent rims on the 210...
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Thanks, I too would have thought the tyre guy would have picked up a buckled rim but I’ll check that thanks.
 

Binnedit

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Could be some corrosion between where the wheel mates to the hub? Might be worth whipping them off & cleaning up with a scotchbrite type of pad. Or could be warped disc's - does the vibration become more pronounced under braking?
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Could be some corrosion between where the wheel mates to the hub? Might be worth whipping them off & cleaning up with a scotchbrite type of pad. Or could be warped disc's - does the vibration become more pronounced under braking?
Thanks, I’ll give that a go and try and check the discs as there is some vibration under braking
 

gizze

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Did it start as soon as the new tyres were fitted?

The ML can become really weird with the wrong tyres on.

I had Conti Contact 4x4's on the back and some Chinese no name brand on the front. I was getting a weird vibration under braking mainly and also on long sweeping corners a pulsing in the steering. This was diagnosed by Mercedes and a specialist as the steering rack, notorious on MLs and W203s they said.
It even did it when stationary, move the steering to the 2 o'clock position and it sort of pulses left and right a bit.

I have had this before though after fitting front tyres and the rears were delivered in the wrong size so I ended up with mismatched tyres on each axle for a few days. So I swapped the Contis and the Chinese tyres front to back.
Problem sorted, vibration gone and steering rack no longer pulses.

What tyres did you fit?
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Did it start as soon as the new tyres were fitted?

The ML can become really weird with the wrong tyres on.

I had Conti Contact 4x4's on the back and some Chinese no name brand on the front. I was getting a weird vibration under braking mainly and also on long sweeping corners a pulsing in the steering. This was diagnosed by Mercedes and a specialist as the steering rack, notorious on MLs and W203s they said.
It even did it when stationary, move the steering to the 2 o'clock position and it sort of pulses left and right a bit.

I have had this before though after fitting front tyres and the rears were delivered in the wrong size so I ended up with mismatched tyres on each axle for a few days. So I swapped the Contis and the Chinese tyres front to back.
Problem sorted, vibration gone and steering rack no longer pulses.

What tyres did you fit?
Hi Gizze, yes started when Input the new tyres on. Doesn’t do it all the time but when it does it is quite scary if I’m on the motorway. I have 20” AMG rims, did have Nexen 295/40/18’s on but when I had to replace them I bought some used ones from a local car dealer, they are 275/40/18’s the make is Evergreen. Was starting to think it was the discs but its wierd it happened when I changed the tyres so confused now.
 

LostKiwi

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Did you replace all four?

On a secondary note I'd never fit used tyres as you have no knowledge of the life they've led (bumped up kerbs, potholes etc).

They are also cheap Chinese tyres and my own experience of cheap Chinese would make me very wary about fitting new ones let alone used ones.
 

Richard Moakes

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Did you replace all four?

On a secondary note I'd never fit used tyres as you have no knowledge of the life they've led (bumped up kerbs, potholes etc).

They are also cheap Chinese tyres and my own experience of cheap Chinese would make me very wary about fitting new ones let alone used ones.

We pay a fortune for our cars, and the only thing in contact with the road is the tyre.

Why oh why oh why do people buy cheap tyres?

If you want the car to behave as designed, fit decent brand tyres and if you are really picky like me, then fit MO spec tyres.
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Thanks for all the advice, think I will need to try new tyres, only went for the cheap ones due to the time of year and the fact a big fat guy in a red suit took most of my money.
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Put the original rear tyres back on the rear as they were known good, got 2 brand new mid range ones to match the rears, all 4 balanced but I’m still having the vibration issues and shuddering under braking. The tyre noise has dramatically improved mainly as I have mid range opposed to budget tyres on. The main issues are:

  • Occasional vibration through steering wheel when driving, different levels at different speeds
  • Occasional vibration through seats, again intermittent but becoming more previllent
  • Shuddering while braking, again not all the time but more previllent than before, also although hard to hear over the V6 you can hear a thud thud thud when the brakes shudder and this thudding speed matches the vehicle speed.
Should I now be looking at discs/pads or a stuck caliper? It doesn’t pull to either side when braking.
 
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Binnedit

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Wouldn't necessarily pull to any side with warped discs. Although the vibration frequency will slow as the vehicle slows.

Any competent mechanic should be able to get them off and measure then with a gauge to check for warping.

If they are, its new discs & pad time, I'm afraid. If it is, dont go for cheap discs - they will be made from cheese, and probably do the same in 12 months time.
 

gizze

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Have you have the suspension checked?

Could be knackered bushes causing that.

I still think I would have gone for 4 decent tyres all round.
I really don't like having different tyres on the front and rear axles, I have always had no end of problems.
 

John Laidlaw

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^+1 Mercs are a quite sensitive to tyre anomalies.
That said, I’m wondering if the ABS system is kicking in because the car is sensing grip issues?
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Will see if I c
Have you have the suspension checked?

Could be knackered bushes causing that.

I still think I would have gone for 4 decent tyres all round.
I really don't like having different tyres on the front and rear axles, I have always had no end of problems.
an find a reputable garage and have it checked.

I have the same tyres on all 4 corners now, would like to have put continentals or pirellis on but just dont have the cash. I’m weary that it could be a bush and I get fleeced for something more hence all the posts.
 

John Laidlaw

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Where are you? We can possibly recommend someone
 
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The Boy Wizz

The Boy Wizz

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Thanks John, I’ll try TJ’s, I will post back any results. Had a look at a few posts on various forums and it ranges from warped discs to stuck on calipers, to suspension bushes, if I had access to a ramp or lift and a manual I’d have a better look but will need to admit defeat and take it to the pro’s.
 

bembo449

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this is the sort of issue I'd like to see in person , if it were mine , id have it dangled of a 2 poster and go over everything , bushes , joints , suspension , drive shafts , wheel bearings , the lot
 


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