juve010

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has some ideas to whats causing my issue. I've got 18s on my 01 4matic wagon and newish tires (~5k) on the rims which are the same age (aftermarket). Im feeling a fairly bad vibration when traveling at speeds 60+. The vibration can be felt the steering wheel and the shift knob is moving back and forth too. Passengers in my car can definitely feel the shaking as well especially in the rear of the car. I just got my tires rebalanced but this doesn't seem to help. What else can I check? BTW, car has 209k miles on it.

Musikmann

Try rotating the tires to rule out a bad tire or bent rim. Have you ever replaced any of the front or rear suspension parts?

juve010

Rear suspension has not been touched. Front, shocks replaced, driver's ball joint, pass, wheel bearing also replaced.

Musikmann

OK thanks I was only curious. I'd still recommend rotating the tires to see if the symptoms move.

juve010

I will rotate the tires but I feel its probably a lower control arm issue. Again car has 209k and I'm guessing they probably need to be replaced, even if already replaced once before

Musikmann

Several people have replaced front end parts long before 200,000 miles so you might have something there. I suggested what I did because it's the least expensive thing you can do and you have just had the tires balanced and I would have done that 1st thing too.

juve010

Thanks I appreciate the help. I'll report back after I rotate the tires.

cbpeck

I already posted my response over at benzworld, so I won't repost here.

juve010

Thanks I appreciate the help and hope people don't mind the duplicate posts from forum to forum

Brau0318

First thing I thought was a balance. Wondering if you had it done on a hunter machine(road force balance)? +1 on the rotation although you have newer tires worn suspension parts can cause uneven tire wear and cause these symptoms. You said you have 18's on it. Spacers or extra mounting parts?

cbpeck

Doesn't bother me any. FWIW, I believe that most users do read both forums.

Over the past few months I've gotten a feel for the two forums and tend to prefer posting certain questions in one or the other, depending on the subject. If I don't get a good response within a reasonable amount of time I'll cross post to the other.

juve010

Brau, just hubcentric rings....hmmmm

Brau0318

Hmmm indeed. Do a hubcentric search on benzworld, I know theres a guy on benzworld thats a pro with proper after market fittings. Maybe he can help with elimating any mounting errors. I will look for him and post back

juve010

UPDATE: FIXED

Well had the tires balanced a first time by shop A with no real different results, i.e. still shaking. Earlier this week I brought the car to shop B and told them my symptoms, said I just had the tires balanced. To make a long story short, he said whoever did the balancing was whack! He re-balanced and now things seem to be smooth..maybe not 100% but at least 90% so I'm content with this especially since the car has 210k+ miles on it!

spicyguy2005

I had the same problem, vibration on the steering wheel at 65+mph, earlier. Everybody that I talked to pointed to wheel balance. I had another set of rim with brand new tires, so I put them on with no different. I believe this makes tire balance unlikely.
I then called a tech guy at Peachparts.com, told him about new tires switching. He then told me that 2 things are possible, i.e. wheel bearing or warped rotor. My mechanic did find that rotor is slightly warped and will need to be turned. After getting the rotor turned the vibration at the steering wheel is gone.
Anyway, I now feel that the car sways a little at the same 60+mph. I am thinking about replacing flex disc in a couple weeks. Hope it will solve the problem. We will see. At 126,500 miles I will need flex disc replaced sooner or later anyway.

Brau0318

I cant express enought the importance of a proper road force balance. I'm glad to hear you got it worked out