problems with steering vibrations on my 2011

[RajwanyS550]

Balancing issues with my 2011. Steering wheel shimmy at 60 to 80 mph. dealer replaced torque strut bushing with updated ones and it made the problem worse. before vibrations at 60 to 80 mph now the vibes start at around 40mph. good upgrade rite. put a call to MB customer service and will meet with the Rep from MB tomorrow. hope he can figure it out. anybody else having issues with their 2011 at all. need help. also the drive is much harsher now after the updated struts. Tires were balanced numerous times at the dealership. Please HELP. ANY IDEAS thanks

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[RajwanyS550]

update to my experience with MB rep and Service manager at Park place Mercedes in Dallas. they drove the car and found it to have balancing issues with the vehicle. The rep wants to replace tires with Michigan instead of the contis. the tires only 8000 miles on them but are down to 6 on the treads. i dont know if replacing the tires would solve this problem. also they replaced hydraulic bushings with fixed ones which I just hate. makes the ride stiffer. well they will call me in a couple of days when they have the tires in stock. keeping my fingers crossed. Talked to other tire experts outside the dealership and they dont think my tires are bad at all to cause the balancing issues, as long they are balanced correcrly. which the dealership has done it twice with road force machine.
on the upnote, the MB rep. is very pleasant and a professional person who is willing to fix this issue ASAP.

[RajwanyS550]

any kind of input from the experts here would be appreciated.

[Arlen777]

I had the steering vibration issue with mine, alignment and balancing solved it, maybe you should try putting another set of rims and tires and see if it will resolve it. The reason i say it is because most of the steering vibration issues are directly related to your rims/tires. I had 2002 S430 before which i lowered a lot and after that i my steering wheel vibrated like hell, as soon as i got alignment and balancing done problem went away. Now with my 07 s550 i never had this problem until recenty, when i lowered my car a little more and put 15mm spacers in the back and 10mm spacers in the front. So now my steering wheel vibrates badly too, just need to realign it. Which part of texas are you? i might recommend you shop that did alignment for me.

[RajwanyS550]

Originally Posted by Arlen777

I had the steering vibration issue with mine, alignment and balancing solved it, maybe you should try putting another set of rims and tires and see if it will resolve it. The reason i say it is because most of the steering vibration issues are directly related to your rims/tires. I had 2002 S430 before which i lowered a lot and after that i my steering wheel vibrated like hell, as soon as i got alignment and balancing done problem went away. Now with my 07 s550 i never had this problem until recenty, when i lowered my car a little more and put 15mm spacers in the back and 10mm spacers in the front. So now my steering wheel vibrates badly too, just need to realign it. Which part of texas are you? i might recommend you shop that did alignment for me.

u are correct, usually these are tire issues but on the 2010 and onward S class cars have electric drive steering and the issue arises from that. they have yet to come out with a fix for this problem. i think the fix will only come on the new redesigned ones. btw iam in Dallas area.

[Arlen777]

Originally Posted by RajwanyS550

u are correct, usually these are tire issues but on the 2010 and onward S class cars have electric drive steering and the issue arises from that. they have yet to come out with a fix for this problem. i think the fix will only come on the new redesigned ones. btw iam in Dallas area.

Ok. So did the dealer tell you this, because in that case tell them to replace steering column etc?

[RajwanyS550]

late 2010 and 2011 already have the upgraded rack. so I have been told. i am meeting with them on Tuesday and will know what the actual remedy is.

[skrontz]

Originally Posted by RajwanyS550

u are correct, usually these are tire issues but on the 2010 and onward S class cars have electric drive steering and the issue arises from that.

The only ultimate fix that I know of is ABC. The old-school hydraulic steering can't be beat.

[RajwanyS550]

Originally Posted by skrontz

The only ultimate fix that I know of is ABC. The old-school hydraulic steering can't be beat.

Absolutely Correct. have a meeting with them on Wednesday will know more than. I just want to get this resolved. this a a 100k machine.

[RajwanyS550]

dropped my car off Wednesday. today i was told they had replaced the tires to Michelin but did not help much with the shimmy. if they have changed or adjusted other stuff I have not been informed about it. next got a MB expert tech to do adjustment to the steering rack. they haven't driven the car yet. which leads me to believe probably did not help much. anyways Mr Mark Byrd has informed me that the car should be ready on Monday for my test drive with Park Place Dallas's one of the top service managers Mr Reuben. keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to resolve the issue. So far the MB guys are doing their best to correct the issue. great customer service so far from one the best car companies in the world!

[famous550]

Originally Posted by RajwanyS550

dropped my car off Wednesday. today i was told they had replaced the tires to Michelin but did not help much with the shimmy. if they have changed or adjusted other stuff I have not been informed about it. next got a MB expert tech to do adjustment to the steering rack. they haven't driven the car yet. which leads me to believe probably did not help much. anyways Mr Mark Byrd has informed me that the car should be ready on Monday for my test drive with Park Place Dallas's one of the top service managers Mr Reuben. keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to resolve the issue. So far the MB guys are doing their best to correct the issue. great customer service so far from one the best car companies in the world!

Any updates or luck with the steering issue?

[Big Jack]

My 2008 S550 4MATIC has the same issue above 70 to 80mph. Just out of dealer and was told it is the Bridgestone tires. Harder but longer milage. Told if I want OEM performance to go to Michelin or Continental tires. Most driving under 70 mph so I will live with it.
Tires on the S class very important due to tuned suspension and such.

[skrontz]

Originally Posted by Big Jack

Just out of dealer and was told it is the Bridgestone tires.

The problem is that MB will try to blame about anything instead of simply admitting that their electrical power steering design is flawed.

[RajwanyS550]

Originally Posted by skrontz

The problem is that MB will try to blame about anything instead of simply admitting that their electrical power steering design is flawed.

changed the tires at no cost with Michelins. also did some adjustments on the steering rack. end result its much better than before, much better. the problem is still there very slight but I guess I can live with it. love the car. lots of time spent at the dealership. the MB rep was very professional and knew what he was doing.

[Armadillo888]

Hi, most of the time it's the tires. Got summer Michelins today and steering vibrations are present and it's annoying!

[marthyh]

Guys, maybe too basic, but could it just be unbalance in the front-wheels ?
Do the wheels need to be balanced on the car, you know the old fashioned way, with a scooter rather then take them off etc. just a thought...

[Armadillo888]

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