[bayhas]

marioz - 11/27/2005 6:16 PM

Did you ever find a solution to this problem? I have the SAME problem. 50-60 mph.

add me to the long list...

 

[bayhas]

DaimlerChrysler - 11/28/2005 11:17 AM

I consulted the dealer about this problem..and paid big bucks for it! The following was the explanation I got. The vibration (shimmy) CAN be caused by any (or all) of the following. Bad shocks, bent wheel, bad bushings on control arms (lower and upper), bad tires.

According to the service manager the most common is flat spotted tires caused by the weight of the car. Evidently, the W140 body style is considerably heavier that the tires are capable of supporting when left sitting overnight. He increased the tire pressure to 40 PSI in the front and VOILA, no vibration. Some tires are not capable of supporting the weight (mine were Falkens, bought by the PO) and some are (I have Continentals on it and they seem to be holding up).

If you do this I take no responsibility and of course your ride will not be nearly as soft and comfortable.

I'll add more PSI to my tires first thing in the morning and will see what will happen, but for now let me ask you this...
why does it happen only at 50-60mph? i mean i ve been doing 130-140 mph and the it was smooth as silk, only vibrates at 50-60mph, wont a flat spot in the tire cause the car to vibrate at any speed?

 

[bayhas]

lol...mine has 260k...

 

[bayhas]

Peter Guenther - 12/1/2005 2:09 PM

That is a radical approach, higher pressures, road force balancing, is probably the answer. On my car they replaced the Pirelli tires with a v rating to michelins with an H and put a sticker on the cluster that said to limit the speed to 120. I guess the softer tires did not flat spot, I notice a certain flat spotting with my wagon and really starting to dislike Michelins.
My professioal tire guy (specializes in tires from golf carts to trucks)told me heavier car more pressure.
I dont hear any issues from the armor plated (heavy)versions , it would be intersting what they run as to pressure.
The shop forman at my local MB dealership says there was a class action suit and people got a coupon, but MB does not talk about it. I was solicitated about buying my coupon but never got it ($4,00)in 95 I think.
As the "teutonic" female says in the letters " we have attempted to satisfy your issues during the warranty period".

do you have any info, numbers, contact persons about that suit?

 

[bayhas]

let me pose this question tho:

would a tire with a flat spot show its diffect when spin balanced?

 

[bayhas]

did you take in for alignment? that makes a difference according to the tire shops. but does yours shake alot? or slightly? mine the steering is no good thanks to the front tires

it is disturbing how many tire shops suggest alignment to fix shimmy or shake...

shake/shimmy/wobble can ONLY be caused by out of round condition/rotation pattern of the wheels...

Alighnment ONLY fixes a condition of the wheel being turning in an improper angle with the body, with no wobble...

in short: alignment fixes irregular/fast tire wear, or poor steering response... and thats it... for wobble/lateral shake, look for out of round or out of balance component turning in an unbalanced manner around its center...