W124 steering judder

[Nickpoll]

Hello, I'm new here. I have a 1986 W124 diesel estate. It has an annoying steering judder. I've removed the steering damper and noticed it's passes it's best ( very sloppy ). I'll replace this over the next few days, but any other reasons why the judder is there ? How many mm should the toe in be ? Also the offside anti roll bar mounting keeps breaking. Thanks for any advice. Nick.

 

[justin1820]

is the anti roll bar bent? not very easy to tell. i would sugest that when you cure your anti roll bar bracket problem (fit a new roll bar) all your others will disapear. steering damper is always a good move, they dont seem to last very long at all.

 

[mjtray]

Odds on it will be your steering damper.........they don't last long on the W124's.

If its still there after you have replaced it, it may be worth getting your wheel alignment checked

 

[paulcallender]

What speed does the judder occur at?
My W124 had steering judder, at motorway speeds, when I first got it. All 4 tyres were worn (near their legal limit). Once the tyres were replaced, the judder went.

 

[turnipsock]

I'm getting a steering judder on my 230TE, this seems to have happened very quickly. It was OK about a month ago. I got some new tyres for the rear yesterday and fitted them, with the wheels, to the front. The problem remained.

Just before you all start saying 'Steering Damper' this was replaced a year ago. I'll check it this weekend though.

The judder starts about 70-80mph. It only seems to be in the steering as when I hold the gear stick, I can't feel any judder.

Any thoughts?


(paulcallender has been on this forum for a long time)

 

[Big_Paul]

ah ha this is the same judder that i get, along with the play in the steering!!

 

[turnipsock]

I went and had my wheels rebalanced and this has cured the problem.

The people that fitted the tyres hadn't balanced them correctly. I haven't been back to get the whole story yet, but I guess somebody doesn't know how to use the equipment.

 

[Mid_lfe_Crisis]

ah ha this is the same judder that i get, along with the play in the steering!!

play in the stearing is most likly the box and may need replacing or adjusting
ps the car must be running when tersting for play

if you get the tracking done at a dealership they should also cheek the camber as well as alignment and any antiroll bar problems should be pointed out

i use this rule of thumb incorrect wheel balancing normanly judders around the 54 mph to 65 mph speed this not exact since but just a guide