W210 vibration at speed and under braking

[Jon Parker]

I have developed a noticable vibration/shivering from the front suspension. It has gradually worsened over the last 10K but is now v.obvious when cruising at 50 mph+.
Under moderate braking from there is also significant vibration through the steering - don't know if this is a related or separate problem.
I have had the front disc/pads changed,all tyres are in good condition and balanced.
The ride is fairly hard as I have 18" rims and 235/40 tyres but it has always been fairly smooth even on pretty bad surfaces.
Car has now covered 95K.

I would appreciate any ideas.
Thanks in advance.
Regards Jon.

 

[Dunx]

I have a similar vibration at around 50mph which is apparantly down to a buckle in the wheels (18" 2 piece AMG rims). This type of damage is usually caused by kerbing.

Does anyone know if this type of damage can be repaired by a wheels specialist?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

At 95K the car suspension is due a thorough check. Anti-roll bar bushes and ball joints will be showing signs of wear. So after checking the obvious, like wheel balance and tracking its probably time to look at replacing the above. I once rebushed the front of a Triumph Dolomite Sprint and it was like driving a new car, the difference was unbelievable.

 

[television]

I have a similar vibration at around 50mph which is apparantly down to a buckle in the wheels (18" 2 piece AMG rims). This type of damage is usually caused by kerbing.

Does anyone know if this type of damage can be repaired by a wheels specialist?

Certain damage can be fixed check with the link, they are very good

http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/index.php?name=Content&pid=4
Malcolm

 

[Dunx]

Originally posted by television
Certain damage can be fixed check with the link, they are very good

http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk...=Content&pid=4

Thanks Malcolm.

 

[Ian Brown]

A Triumph Dolomite Sprint never even drove like a new car when it came of the assembly line.

 

[Ramius]

This Worked For Me

I have a similar vibration at around 50mph which is apparantly down to a buckle in the wheels (18" 2 piece AMG rims). This type of damage is usually caused by kerbing.

Does anyone know if this type of damage can be repaired by a wheels specialist?

I popped the front rims to the rear of the car. ( Just an idea )

 

[Jon Parker]

Thanks for your interest.
I have changed wheels front to back - no difference.
I think maybe Malcolm is right and a trip to an independent to check out the bushing is the best bet.
Would any play here be more noticable under braking or could this be due to distorted discs?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Bushing affects the whole geometry of the suspension. Any play from from bushes or linkage points will interfere with the handling and give the symptoms you describe.

 

[Dunx]

I popped the front rims to the rear of the car. ( Just an idea )

The tyres are a different size. 235/40's on the front and 245/40's on the rear.

 

[Ramius]

Didnt know that .........


Theres a slight daft sensation coming over me.........oh no.....thats embaressment hehe

 

[clive williams]

I have developed a noticable vibration/shivering from the front suspension. It has gradually worsened over the last 10K but is now v.obvious when cruising at 50 mph+.
Under moderate braking from there is also significant vibration through the steering - don't know if this is a related or separate problem.
I have had the front disc/pads changed,all tyres are in good condition and balanced.
The ride is fairly hard as I have 18" rims and 235/40 tyres but it has always been fairly smooth even on pretty bad surfaces.
Car has now covered 95K.

I would appreciate any ideas.
Thanks in advance.
Regards Jon.

Jon,

Am I right in thinking that there is a steering damper on the front suspension? If there is then the symtoms you describe are those that I would expect of a shot damper.

On the subject of swapping the wheels back to the front etc then if it was a wheel problem then it would show up using this method. The size thing will not be of great effect whilst establishing the vib cause but I wouldn't leave it that way.

You say the wheels are balanced? Are you sure you've not lost a balance weight especially, if the garage put stick on weights on the inside of the rim, where there is the enevitable build up of brake dust.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Jon Parker]

Clive,
I am confident that its not a lost balance weight or wheel damage and I have also swapped wheels front to back.
Is there any fairly straight forward test that I could carry out to check out the condition of the steering damper that you mention?
(Incidentally all my tyres are the same size - 235/40 on 18" AMG monoblocks).

Thanks
Jon.

 

[tom7035]

Steering damper.

Your steering damper is very easy to remove to check - though you have to get underneath the front of the car - one mounting bolt at each end but only one needs to be removed to check it. It's just a small shock-absorber. Not expensive either to replace if in doubt.

 

[Dunx]

Didnt know that .........


Theres a slight daft sensation coming over me.........oh no.....thats embaressment hehe

I'm not saying it's meant to have different tyre sizes front to back, but that's what the car had on it when I bought it.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

At the mileage mentioned I would look at the ball joints, anti roll bar bushings and the drop links. All are well known wear items. Drop linkls 25-50k, my anti roll; bar bushings and ball joints were replaced last year. car now has 110k. Changing wheels would clearly indicate a balancing problem so its not that. The only other item to look at is the front cross member has been known to suffer corrosion. You could also check wheel bearings.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

One thing to add, just its a case of dont always believe the computer. If you had all 4 wheels balanced at the one time it's possible the balancing machine was faulty. The reason I mention it is the last set of tyres I bought were followed by balancing the wheels after the tyres were fitted. I ended up with a horiffic wobble at the rear and went back to get them redone because the problem only came after the tyres were fitted. It transpired they had been done wrongly..