Do you have vibration over 80 Km/h?

[bayhas]

99% of the time, this vibration is caused from the tires flat spotting in W140.

if the tires are brand new, then replace the lower control arm bushings.

[TasmanianDevil]

Rim Size 16"

Tire 235 60 16 100W

I am quite surprised to see currently 50 Percent of voters have a vibration over 80Km/h.

Unless you have a balance problem or a bad wheel which you damaged why would any vehicle vibrate after a certain speed...

[MBs600v121998]

Originally Posted by bayhas

99% of the time, this vibration is caused from the tires flat spotting in W140.

if the tires are brand new, then replace the lower control arm bushings.

Ok, i would like to check that, but any picture of the lower control arm bushings, part#?, would be helpful.

Thanks man

[MBs600v121998]

Ok got it thanks,

This bushing is located in the lower part of the rear wheel bearing carrier. 2 bushings required per car..

costs around 30 somthing $,

For part number i have to get it from home, where i have the EPC

[syljua]

Originally Posted by TasmanianDevil

Unless you have a balance problem or a bad wheel which you damaged why would any vehicle vibrate after a certain speed...

Well, it you had an perfect flat road, perfectly balanced tires and wheel,
perfectly balanced driveshaft, all moving parts balanced, incl. engine, then yes, no vibrations.

But, asphalt are wavy, engines not balanced (I6 and V12 are better), wheels with
pebbles, etc. All influencing the car with forces of various frequency and amplitude.

You may think of the springs and shocks as the suspension of the car, but
all those forces with higher frequency than bumps in the road, are supposed to be
taken up by all the different bushings around the car.

Engine and transmission support bushings, suspension arm bushings,
tie-rod bushings, steering damper, idler arm busing,
front and rear axle carriers bushings, differential bushings, etc.
All of them are there to prevent that other equipment come into vibration (eigenfrequencies).

The sizes and physical properties of the dampers/bushings, are carefully
calculated, so any deviation from that (by replacing with wrong part, poly-bushing
old bushings), will give changed characteristics.

Myself, I have now replaced upper arms and lower arm bushings (and they
were clearly broken), but still have some vibrations in the steering wheel,
so the idler arm is next...

I guess what I mean is; its a combination of unbalance (that you'll never
eliminate completely) and ability to mask those by suspension,
that in the end gives the impression of vibration.

br,
syljua

[NZ Benz]

I run 265/35/R18 aside from what everyone else has said don't forget bent rims etc (It's more of a problem for those with larger wheels). I had a vibration and replaced my steering idler busings and it went away.

[The andrew]

I wouldn't say I have a vibration, more so a wobbly tire/wheel. A bent wheel on my BMW made a nasty humming vibration about 45-60Hz or so, on my Benz I have a low frequency wobble that's felt through the steering wheel and visually confirmed only when I let go of the wheel, also rotating my wheels front to back made my car pull slightly to the right, switch back and the opposite occurs (WTF?). That's why I made the decision to ditch my old wheels and tires for fresh stuff. It's a heavy car and if the previous owners didn't dodge potholes like I do a less obvious damage to the wheels may be present, and plus they have been painted and are chipping so I went with new wheels. They are not mounted yet, need tires first, doing my research. F 18x8 and R 18x9.

Also my steering bits are fresh, idler arm bushings (easy) are good, damper is new, tie rod assemblies are new.

Yes these are replica wheels, go ahead and flame, I won't care, they do the job, and my car is not an AMG anyhow. Had a set of wheels from this company on my BMW too. Finish is flawless and they look even better than in the pic. Star center caps came with them, not shown. Can't wait!!

[Peter Guenther]

Beng a victim of "viabration" on my 92 500, I offer the following.
MB identified the issue from 92 to 95
Under warranty the replaced tires (Pirelli), driveshaft, rear end, upper control arms, shocks, steering damper, and ball joints.
A good solution was to speed balance the tires on the car.
I spent money on engine mounts, more Michelins, progress was shown when I installed Bridestone Turanzas, replaced the lower control arm bushings, sway bar links, and took tire pressures up by 5 lbs.
The latest improvement was to replace the trans, crazy as it sounds it was one of the sugestions.
Try tire pressure, having the tires "road force" balanced, bushings and tires.
PS
The vibration issues should have gone away after MB lowered the car and made changes in 95,

[slicky rick]

previously had it on my 98 s320. it was awful really. i then replaced lower control arm bushings on both sides and replaced tires with 100 load rating. NO MORE VIBRATION!! by the way i also had the tires roadforce balanced. have 255 40 19 falken tires with 19" carlsson rims. tire pressure at 36 front and 38 at the back...ride is beauuutiful!!!

[deanyel]

Does anyone have the name or case number and court of the class action lawsuit on this issue in the U.S.? I'd like to find a copy of the settlement.