[citruspilot]

Hey folks. Was surfing this site to kill time sitting in a hotel room between flights and wanted to post a question. I replaced the tires on my 01 E430 the other day. About 6k miles ago I put on a set of cheap Primewell PZ-900 Z rated tires. (Short of money at that time and the car needed some new shoes.) Anyway the other day I put on a set of new Bridgestone Potenza G019's. I had the same tires on my 97 E420 and loved them. Going to put the Primewells on Craigslist for $100.

My car has had a harmonic vibration, at speeds of over 40 and less than 75, since the day I got it. I found out putting the Primewells on that a wheel was bent. Had that fixed. Still had the vibration. Figured that maybe the cheap Primewells was the cause. But now that I have the new Bridestones on her its still there.....hhhmmm?

After talking to an MB tech recently he suggested that the motor mounts should not cause a harmonic vibration persay but only the miss at idle like I have. (Thats another issue but farther down the list right now.) So the harmonic vibration is drivetrain related.

Heres my question, finally, has anybody here replaced their rear axle carrier mount that solved a vibration problem?? I believe somebody here suggested this to me some time ago but I cant remember who it was. As others in here have reported they too have a harmonic vibration which is noticable in the seat of the pants so to speak. :thumbsup:

This freaking vibration is driving me "daisy".......I mean crazy!

If I cant find it and fix it my next move is to trade the W210 for a W211....I like those body styles better nowadays anyway.....

HELP! Jeff

 

[citruspilot]

Seriously? Not one response? The carrier mount is that thing that holds the front of the rear axle center section. After doing some research on this damn vibration I found a DIY on replacing one. I keep dancing around what I think is the real problem, the flex discs and maybe even the center carrier bearing. I am even afraid that the driveshaft is out of balance also. I have spent over $800.00 on tires alone in the past 5 months. One cheap set and another more expensive name brand. Its been aligned by MB after a recent pedestrian incident and I had a wheel straightened, $175.00. Only things left are the items I list above......and the motor mounts......

Folks, my fear is that these items could possibly cost me more money, or further investment in this car, than it is worth. It has 121,000 miles. Its a great car and everything works. Its a great looking car that has been babied. But when do I stop the bleeding and just trade it away? I like the W210 but also have been smitten by the W211, E500 Sport class.

Lets take a vote. All those who think that I should spend more money on my current E class let me know. And the later. All those who think I should move up another body style chime in. I am guessing that the items listed above could, "could", cost me about $1,500+ to get them done right parts and labor.....

It appears from reading on this wonderful site that the same year range, 2000/2001/2002, S class sedans have a vibration problem too....HHHmmm?

(Maybe I should buy a Lexus..........KIDDING!)

Thanks, Jeff

 

[Yacht Master]

Well I do remember you describing this vibration in the past and only thing I would have to rule out is, the flex disc's and the drive shaft alignment.
That said, be careful, one drive of a 211 w/350hp V8 ................I better stop now .....don't want to start a war here.

 

[winerocks]

The S500 would be a fun car. I had a wierd vibration a few months ago, between 70 and 80mph. I thought it was bad tires or out of balance wheels. It was time for new tires anyways, so I bit the bullet. Didn't fix the problem. Long story short, one of the tie-rod ends had some play in it. New tie-rod ends for $15 a piece from Autohauz and the problem was solved. I didn't feel anything through the steering wheel oddly enough, just the vibration at high speed.

 

[tmandel]

I get a weird harmonic vibration just *thinking about* an S500!

 

[citruspilot]

Well I do remember you describing this vibration in the past and only thing I would have to rule out is, the flex disc's and the drive shaft alignment.
That said, be careful, one drive of a 211 w/350hp V8 ................I better stop now .....don't want to start a war here.

So why would you rule out the flex discs and and driveshaft alignment? The vibration feels like my buddys car I knew as a youngster. He had a Dodge Charger with a slightly bent driveshaft. This vibration feels sooooo much like that. Its in the seat of your pants and not the steering system....

Too late on the warning about the E500..........I have already driven them and I'm hooked......

By the way. Do you sell boats/cruisers?

Jeff

 

[tmandel]

I think YM meant the OP should do what it takes to rule those items out -- not that they should be ruled out a priori.

 

[Yacht Master]

So why would you rule out the flex discs and and driveshaft alignment? The vibration feels like my buddys car I knew as a youngster. He had a Dodge Charger with a slightly bent driveshaft. This vibration feels sooooo much like that. Its in the seat of your pants and not the steering system....

Too late on the warning about the E500..........I have already driven them and I'm hooked......

By the way. Do you sell boats/cruisers?

Jeff

Jeff what I meant was I would have to rule out the flex disc first before replacing the Carrier mount. If you can determine the frequency of the vibration (drive shaft rpm or wheel rpm) it will help you narrow down the cause. Those flex couplings can look good (static) but be bad (dynamic).

Not many things feel as good as fixing a long term problem, and when you get your W210 dialed in and it runs down the highway smooth as silk it all becomes worth it.

No, I don't sell boats. I am a maritime captain (USCG Master & MCA Yacht Master) glorified boat driver albeit a large boat.

 

[citruspilot]

Jeff what I meant was I would have to rule out the flex disc first before replacing the Carrier mount. If you can determine the frequency of the vibration (drive shaft rpm or wheel rpm) it will help you narrow down the cause. Those flex couplings can look good (static) but be bad (dynamic).

Not many things feel as good as fixing a long term problem, and when you get your W210 dialed in and it runs down the highway smooth as silk it all becomes worth it.

No, I don't sell boats. I am a maritime captain (USCG Master & MCA Yacht Master) glorified boat driver albeit a large boat.

You are right about finally fixing a longterm problem. I am so frustrated by this vibration. It just takes money! My long time "Indy" has decided to pull back from doing weekend work as his wife is in poor health. Can't blame him. Just makes it harder for me to get repairs done as cheaply and as quickly as before.....

The reason I asked if you sold boats is I am looking for an express lake cruiser. 26/29 footer. (I must be crazy.......... )

I know. I'll just forget about the boat and buy that 2006 CLS 500 I want........

Jeff

 

[Yacht Master]

You are right about finally fixing a longterm problem. I am so frustrated by this vibration. It just takes money! My long time "Indy" has decided to pull back from doing weekend work as his wife is in poor health. Can't blame him. Just makes it harder for me to get repairs done as cheaply and as quickly as before.....

The reason I asked if you sold boats is I am looking for an express lake cruiser. 26/29 footer. (I must be crazy.......... )

I know. I'll just forget about the boat and buy that 2006 CLS 500 I want........

Jeff

Well when your indy can check your flex disc, have him do it. If it is not that, then maybe it is time to up grade to the CLS.
As far as boats go, the old saying "if it Flys, Floats or Farts, rent it" has never been more true than it is today.

 

[nicobaires]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Same vibration and it's driving me nuts. I did however change the 2 flex discs and the center bearing, still vibrating.

 

[citruspilot]

nicobaries, I am going to replace the motor mounts soon. Just ordered them from AutohauzAZ. I suspect that "our" vibration problem is the mounts. Once I get them installed I will post the results. For all the others who have the same complaint hopefully my positive results will resolve our confusion with this gremlin.....

Jeff

 

[cation]

Any results on this issue yet?

My W210 E55 has a strange vibration issue similar to this currently. I'm going to have a look at my front wheel bearing runout and adjust as necessary. If that's not it, I'll replace the balljoints and inner tierods then realign it since I've already got the parts laying around. I felt some ever so slight slack in my passenger side inner tie rod the last time I was under the car, but the ball joints seemed fine. No cracks, no play...

So far outer tie rod ends, new LCA bushings, tire/wheel balance, and alignment have not fixed the issue. The alignment and LCA bushings made the lower speed vibrations minimal, but up above 60-65 I've got a strange oscillitory vibration that becomes more intense and constant as I go faster. I should also mention that this vibration is mostly felt through the vehicle and not the steering wheel, however as my speed approaches and/or exceeds 80mph, the steering wheel starts to shake a good amount. It has to be in the front end some where. If not then its on to drive train components... hoping we can solve this before then though...