C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

steering wobbles on uneven pavement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-06-2014, 11:12 AM
  #26  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
PJmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,474
Received 384 Likes on 286 Posts
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Sorry man im having a hard time making something out of that info. Can you get a wider angle pic of that location
Old 08-06-2014, 01:48 PM
  #27  
Super Member
 
Super B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'97 c36
This picture was taken with the intake manifold removed and from the top of the car looking down. It's very tight in the area where the steering box lives and hard to take a picture of.

If your steering is loose, the gear box is the last on the list of things to replace/adjust. Check the drag link, tie rod ends, idler arm ect.. After making sure those are 100% then you might want to adjust the gear box. But honestly if the box is wore out enough to warrant a sector shaft adjustment and for the amount of work it takes to get at and adjust the box. Might as well throw a rebuilt gear box in it with new seals and be done with it.
Old 08-20-2014, 01:10 PM
  #28  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
PJmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,474
Received 384 Likes on 286 Posts
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
I lifted the car yesterday and was able to check the play in the wheels.

Horizontally and with a little bit of effort I can move the front wheels back and forth an inch or two which also causes the steering wheel to move but within those few inches there is also something else loose because the steering wheel doesnt feel solid, it just kinda flaps back and forth and makes a clunking noise :/

Im gonna start by replacing the steering shock today and then look into the steering box.

Im just surprised because ive only put 20 or so thousand miles on those new parts. They should last longer shouldnt they?
Old 08-20-2014, 03:48 PM
  #29  
Member
 
Twichel04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ocala, Fl
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1996 C36 AMG and 1999 BMW e46
Have someone sit in the car while you hold one of the wheels. Have the person wiggle the steering wheel and see if you feel it in the wheels. If you don't feel it in the wheels, move your hand to the pitman arm, do you feel it there? Do this with every moving part of the front end till you find where the play is coming from.
Old 02-02-2015, 10:13 AM
  #30  
Newbie
 
mbsimmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2007 E350 4Matic
Was this ever resolved?

Hello all!

I realize this thread is several months old, but I just bought an E350, and I'm having this same issue. It's maddening!
Old 02-02-2015, 11:19 AM
  #31  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
PJmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,474
Received 384 Likes on 286 Posts
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Is your e350 lowered?
Old 02-02-2015, 11:41 AM
  #32  
Newbie
 
mbsimmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2007 E350 4Matic
Originally Posted by PJmak
Is your e350 lowered?
No, it is stock. And I wonder if it's just the tires (Bridgestone Protenza), as it seems to be better once they are warm. But when starting off in the morning, it feels like I am driving on ice. And if I get on an uneven road (rutted), it feels like it might throw me into the other lane.
Old 02-02-2015, 12:10 PM
  #33  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
PJmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,474
Received 384 Likes on 286 Posts
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
I was told its because of too much toe and camber that comes with lowering the car. Stock suspension components dont allow for enough adjustment i was told.

Now that you tell me you have the same problem and you are not lowered i dunno if i believe it

Also a friend looked into my suspension and my steering box and he says everything is tight

It makes no sense. Could be tires tho i dunno.
Old 02-02-2015, 02:10 PM
  #34  
Senior Member
 
MPOW33R's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Walnut Creek, Cali (sf bay area)
Posts: 407
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
(For Sale 03 G55), 08 G55K, 99 C43, 04 E55, 05 E63, 91 BMW E30, 05 BMW M3, 05 Audi USP Avant
This happened to me with my E92 BMW, the car would literally jerk itself
hard left usually when braking to a light. After a lot of homework i found
that it was my tires.

I had swapped my wheels out and ended up with someone elses tires (long story)
18 Bridgestone run flats 90% tread and evenly worn, they looked new.

BUT

When I swapped back out the tires to my own, exact same bridgestone run flat 18s
Problem solved instantly. It had something to do with how my car wears the tire opposed to someone elses.
Old 02-02-2015, 07:14 PM
  #35  
Newbie
 
mbsimmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2007 E350 4Matic
Originally Posted by PJmak
I was told its because of too much toe and camber that comes with lowering the car. Stock suspension components dont allow for enough adjustment i was told.

Now that you tell me you have the same problem and you are not lowered i dunno if i believe it

Also a friend looked into my suspension and my steering box and he says everything is tight

It makes no sense. Could be tires tho i dunno.
I did have it aligned, and it didn't need any adjustments, nor could they find any worn or loose parts
Old 02-02-2015, 07:15 PM
  #36  
Newbie
 
mbsimmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2007 E350 4Matic
Originally Posted by MPOW33R
This happened to me with my E92 BMW, the car would literally jerk itself
hard left usually when braking to a light. After a lot of homework i found
that it was my tires.

I had swapped my wheels out and ended up with someone elses tires (long story)
18 Bridgestone run flats 90% tread and evenly worn, they looked new.

BUT

When I swapped back out the tires to my own, exact same bridgestone run flat 18s
Problem solved instantly. It had something to do with how my car wears the tire opposed to someone elses.
Very interesting. Of course this is possible, as I bought it used...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: steering wobbles on uneven pavement



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:06 PM.