Guy

My ML500 has the 275/55 R17 Continental Contact 4x4s. I have had tires balanced and still have shimmy both in steering wheel and it is also felt in the seat of the pants - mostly 60-80mph.

Then drove 35miles to a MB dealer that had Hunter GSP9700 special load-force vibration and balancing machine.

Despite all 4 tires being balanced, one tire was significantly out of round, and measured 52lbs. Good tires supposedly measured 4s and 5s on the Hunter.

I got that tire replaced today, but the replacement still measured 32lbs, just barely in spec. However, although the shimmy has again improved, it is still noticeable but subtle.(currently right rear tire)

Are there known issues with these tires? How do I approach my home dealer where I purchased my ML and get problem rectified. They don't even have this machine and I am afraid that they'll just say tires are balance nothing else to do....

Please provide your advice.


thanks in advance,
-guy
in Chicago Suburbs

linh

ML 500 ??? That's 2002 models..right? And you already have problem? I would be **** off !!!!

mbtech208

We have the Hunter GSP9700 also, it's about as state-of-the-art as they come, as far as balancers go. I haven't seen any pattern problems with the Continental ML tires. If you say it improved when one tire was replaced, maybe one of the other three is bad. Have the tires swapped front-to-rear, and see if it's any better. Swapping the tires around will tell you if it's a tire problem, or if it's a suspension problem. I'm willing to bet it's just a bad set of tires. Also make sure the pressures are at manufacturer's specs. On an ML320 it's 32 psi front, 39 psi rear. However it's different on an ML500 due to the 17 inch wheels. Check the decal in the driver's doorjamb to make sure.

JohnN

Not in MY02 - the ML320 has 17" rims as well.

mbtech208

Thanks for the clarification, John.

Guy

Mbtech-
thanks for your reply- but in my original post I said that 3 good tires were balanced and measured 4s and 5s on Hunter. Newly replaced 4th tire still measure 32lbs.

How would you recommend approaching my dealer to replace again despite them not having this special machine (I had gone to a different dealer)?

mbtech208

Here's what I would do. Bring it to your dealer, go take a technician for a ride with you, make sure you point out the shimmy and make sure he notices it too. Then tell your service writer to do whatever is necessary, you just don't want the vehicle back until it is fixed. That way the technician can't use the old "could not duplicate" excuse.