[Peter Guenther]

140 vibration

Join the club, my 92 has the same issue, MB spent weeks on it during the warranty period. The drive shaft, ball joints, bushings, steering damper and lots more were replaced. On some mornings it is smooth as glass on othe days the steering wheel moves back and forth. My service advisor, and shop manager said it was the "car" MB made some changes in ride height, there also have been opinions that it is the tires developing flat spots when sitting. Most recently I wasd told that replacing the lower control arm bushings with a newer version could fix it. The magic word is "could", new motor mounts did not make any difference. I am tempted to get rid of my Michelins, and try Firestones, they have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. I suspect tere is a fix, but no one has ever guaranteed it. My wife does not notice, but it does go away when it warms up. This vibration is common knowledge, search the threads.

 

[Peter Guenther]

On my 92 the upper control arms, steering damper ,drive shaft, and rear end were replaced under warranty. I paid for new "hydraulic lower arm" bushings, sway bar bushings and arms, engine and tranny mounts, steering damper, and probably more than I want to admit. Vib still there, I would say since rotating the tires and having MB balance (roadforce)? it it sill comes and goes!

 

[Peter Guenther]

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".

 

[Peter Guenther]

I only heard about the "suit", otherwise why would MB send out coupons. I did recieve at least three solicitations offering to buy my coupons for cash.
Every dealer I ever had contact knew amout the "vib" issue on the early cars, but there was no fix bulletin.