| Vibrations
Folks,
I've searched these forums for a couple of weeks to help me determine a vibration in my car. I have a 2003 ML500 with about 23,000 miles. I took it to MB at Morristown, NJ to get it fixed. They replaced the ball joints, tie rods, and aligned the car. They also performed a Hunter Road Force GPS9000 balancing of all 4 wheels. They concluded that the tires are "out-of-round" and that I had to replace all 4 tires (Continential Sport Contact 4X4).
At little history behind the tires: These tires were put on the car new when I bought the car with 15,000 miles. In effect the tires have less than 8,000 miles on them.
I did some research on the Continental Tire Warranty and they offered to replace the tires but that they needed to confirm the MB dealers diagnosis with a Continental Tire dealer. I took it to ETD tires in Clifton, NJ. They claimed that the tire are NOT "out of round" but needed balancing. I said "ok" and they rebalanced the tire.
I have to say that the major vibrations that caused the steering wheel to shake and driver's side sun visor to flutter up and down have ceased and the driveability is improved, BUT, it still sense a slight vibration in the steering wheel, gas petal, and at the seat of my pants. In my hands and feet, it feels like I am holding on to an electric shaver.
1. Has anyone else here had a similar experience?
2. If so, is this a "normal" level of vibration for the ML?
3. What did you do the fix/diagnose the problem?
4. Could this be the mysterious differential problem that MB alluded to for model years 1999-2002. In that bulletin MB admits that differentials might be slightly out of balance?
Regards,
H3rmes | 
