lexrex

To all 4Matic owners out there,

When you accelerate while turning very sharply (almost to lock) at low speeds -- like you might driving in a parking lot or pulling out of a driveway -- do you hear or feel any sort of vibration/shudder?

I've noticed a small vibration in my car, and I'm wondering if my transfer case is binding a little bit. Could just have something to do with my tires, since they're fairly worn.

vraa

I'd say it's normal and just the differntials trying to compensate for the outer wheels (when you're turning) rotating more than the inner wheels.

sosh

I had an 01 E320 4M and never experienced the shudder at all. Now have an 05 E320 4M and also never experienced this. I also had a 98 ML320 which did shudder in a sharp turn at low speeds as did all 98 ML's. My 02 ML500 does not do this as MB slightly changed the power split between the front and rear on the ML from 50/50 in 98 to maybe 48/52. This never was a problem in the 4 matic E class though. I think you have some sort of a transfer case problem.

vraa

My mistake than. I guess real experiences are always better than theory!

lexrex

Sosh, how pronounced was the shudder in your 98 ML? Was it something you felt in the drivetrain, or was it just a noise?

I hesitated at first to call mine a shudder. It's not something I feel, just hear. I'd guess that 95% of the population wouldn't notice anything unusual if when it occurs.

I first noticed it after I had my transmission fluid changed, which is what led me to believe that it's the transfer case. But I was paying extra close attention for irregular behavior after I had the tranny serviced. It's possible I had simply never noticed it before.

My old 450SL had a similar vibration when turning when the tires were really worn. The tires on my E are almost down to the wear bars. I'm getting new tires at the end of the month, so we'll see if that changes anything. I'm hoping it's just a peculiarity of the Michelin MXV4s when they are worn.

Rafael Grullón

Tires

2quik

the 4matics have problems with the rack and pin. Call your dealer, im not sure if they are on recall or not

sosh

Never experienced nor have I ever heard of any 4 Matic owner having pinion problems. The 98 ML shuddered slightly when making a tight turn almost to the steering limit at very slow speeds like when parking. No noise was associated with it. Every 98 ML I ever drove did that. I have no idea how it could be your tires, even worn tires.

lexrex

When you're driving in a straight line, the tires look like this || and the slip angle is zero. (Slip angle is the difference between the direction the tire is pointing and the direction the tire is going.)

When you turn, your front tires tilt like this \\ or // (not as extreme), so they have less tread in contact with the pavement.

This, combined with your tire pointing in another direction, can cause the front tires to push or plow just enough for a slight shudder under acceleration when turned nearly to the lock. This could happen on any car with powered rear wheels.

I'm getting new tires in a few weeks, so we'll see if that changes anything. I'm probably being overly paranoid about this. It's so minor that it's likely not a problem.

MBHustla858

transfer case is goin out. sell the car

OSMB

Engine shudders when turning sharp slow speeds, parking lot ect. Almost like small vibration. just got back from dealer. the cause ' planetary carrier"
has to do with transmission/4matic. they replaced the part. I was told some cars have success others the problem comes back within a couple weeks. if that's the case, they have to put in a new transmission. hope this helps