jays99e320

E320 vibration. This oscillating vibration starts around 40 mph and is at it’s worst at 60-65 mph. It continues on the faster you drive but stops oscillating. You can hear it more than feel it. It continually comes and goes at the same rate, independent of speed. I don't feel it in the wheel or gas pedal. It is more like the entire cabin vibrates/hums, but it’s subtle. I have toyo’s on it that were road force balanced numerous times, replaced the stock rims with another set of stock rims. Than had the tires replaced. STILL have the problem. It’s quite subtle. I’ve tried rotating, different tire pressures and recently took it to an indie shop (2/13/09) suggesting that it may be the support bearing on the drive shaft or flex discs. They work only on Mercedes exclusively and seemed very knowledgeable. They said with certainty the driveline was perfect, they suggested it’s the tires, even though a new set replicates the problem. They are however the same type of tires that were on it before, they were replaced for free. The shop’s reasoning that it’s not the driveline is that IF the driveline was vibrating you could feel a vibration on the center console or “hump” in the car. While driving and hearing the vibration the center hump is very smooth, no vibration felt there.

I’ve seen very similar problems out there on the MB forums, but no concrete solutions. Anyone have some solutions!!???

TMAllison

How many miles?

LCA bushings are a common prob on higher mile W210's. Was the trans mount checked?

jays99e320

It's got 94K, lower control arm bushings haven't been checked as far as I know. I'm thinking if it was that I'd feel it in the steering wheel??? But the steering wheel is smooth as silk at all speeds.

Trans mount was not checked either, what does a bad trans mount feel like? Stopped at idle in drive the car is smooth, so motor mounts appear okay.

ohlord

check for warped brake rotors?

jays99e320

Brakes are good, no shudder when pressing the brakes at any speed.

TMAllison

It "comes and goes" ......maybe is areo dynamic? Are all the belly pans on tight?

Any possibility it is an electric motor (perhaps a seat or fan motor) that is running or out of balance?

Tried sitting in another seat while someone else drives to see if you can track it down?

MARK CUMMINS

Still have the TOYOs ?

jays99e320

Still have the toyo's, only have 5,000 miles on them. They were replaced for free by the tire shop because I pushed them hard to replace the set that was already on them, thinking that was the cause of the vibration. Maybe it still is. 2 sets of the same type of Toyo's, problem still there.

MARK CUMMINS

Had the same problem

Find a shop that has a spare set of OEM rims and tires...
I had a stock set and changed them out ...Noise gone

The problem is the Tires Toyos and Yokohamas tend to have noise

jays99e320

Mark,

You had OEM rims and replaced them with another set of OEM rims with different tires and it solved the oscillating vibration? You didn't feel it in the steering wheel? I need to try that, switch OEM wheels at a shop.

When I bought the car the original OEM wheels were on it w/toyos w/8,000 miles. Had the vibration, found another set of OEM wheels with no curb-rash..vibration still there. On the newer OEM wheels (same exact style) tires were then replaced...vibration still there.

I guess what I need to try is different tires on a different set of OEM wheels.

jays99e320

Checked the front wheel bearings, lifted the front tires up and shook the tires. There's noticeable play and a clicking noise. Compared to the rear tires (making sure the E-brake was off) the rears were rock solid. Also compared the front wheel movement to another car I have, they were rock solid. Looks like this may be the culprit and will be my next step.

I have the Mercedes CD manual and try to do 100% of the work on my cars. How difficult is this? Special tools required?

martz

going out on a limb here....Steering shock been check??

Discgolfer74

I'm having a similar issue. Oscillating vibration between 40 - 80mph. Only happens when accellerating, slow or fast. Cannot pinpoint exact speed, timing or RPM, usually random. Its been getting louder over the past week. Can feel the vibration through the shifter. Just had tires and wheels checked and balanced. Rims are only about 8 months old. Had an alignment only a few months ago. New rotors and brakes.

I do know I have a motor mount issue. I hear an occassional clanging from what sounds like right front shock when on a bumpy road. But the vibration feels like its coming from transmission.

Let me know what you you find out. I'm holding off on taking it in.

jays99e320

Haven't checked the steering damper, but I don't have any vibration in the steering wheel.

jays99e320

Discgolfer74,

Sounds like you may have a different vibration than mine, mine is not dependent on accelerating it's more speed related.

I can accelerate hard or maintain a constant speed or put it in neutral (at hwy speeds) and it doesn't change. And my shifter is silky smooth just like my steering wheel at all rpm's and speed.

martz

I would dbl ck on exhaust hangers as well, a missing hanger could cause vibration......

Discgolfer74

I hope you find your problem... I think I've found a solution to mine:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ion-fluid.html

ejsheltra

Explain more about the tranny fluid? What lead you to suspect that, what did you do and what was the result? Really interested.

Rostam

check your air pressure. W210's are sensitive to the air temp changes, as such may cause vibrations

jays99e320

Have checked and tried different air pressures on the tires. Have had it at the recommended pressure and have tried higher as well. No difference.

Appears to change or lessen when it gets warmer. I live in the NW and it's starting to approach the mid 50's now as opposed to being in the 30's and 40's.

martz

jays99e320 ,
did you ever figure out your vibartion problem? I am also thinking mounts-, trans, engine and maybe even driveshaft....could be the cause

tirona

slightly bent rims will cause the vibration also. even if the tire shop can manage to balance the tire on a slightly bent rim, still you will be able to feel the vibration. that's one of the most common problems when buying bigger rims, in a couple of years or so they somehow get bent and need to be straightened, especially in places that have snow and have a lot of potholes after snow season.

jays99e320

Haven't figured it out yet, haven't had much time. All good ideas, thanks for the input from all. I'll keep you posted if I solve it. I still think it's either wheel bearings or driveshaft issues.

usaims

I think I'm experiencing the same issue. My sound, starts at 40mph; its more like a quiet continuous subtle machine gun. I hear it more then feeling it--I don't feel my steering wheel or brake pedal vibrate. I did get the tenisioner replaced due to a clicking sound. I thought it was the new tensioner but usually a bad tensioner is more of a clicking sound.

The sound stops when the car is idling. I do have Yokohama tires on them (they came with the car). The frount rims are slightly bent due to the previous owner hitting a curb.
I will rotate the tires to see if the sound will go away. Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

tirona

usaims, if the front rims are slighlty bent, then i would put them in the rear, and place the rears in front if you don't have staggered wheels. same thing happened to me, i exchanged the front ones with the rears, and it drove a lot better. the vibration can be felt more when your tires have a little tread left, when they are new you can't really tell. in my case after a couple of years the other two front rims were a little bent. the roads where i drive have a lot of potholes especially after snow season and that's the main cause of bending the rims. over time the rims get damaged a little, especially the aluminum ones. and i don't have 19 or 20' wheels, mine are 17'.