Steering Vibration:
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 76
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From: Australia
Steering Vibration:
Hi All,
I am writing about my C200k avant-garde.
I am having an issue with the ‘steering’ feel I am getting. Every now and then I am getting a vibration/oscillation (shaking from side to side) through the steering.
I have noticed this does tend to occur at higher speeds, 80km/h +, but have not noticed that it occurs on any particular road surface type. Our road surfaces here in Australia can vary quite a bit, ranging from different grades of tar to concrete, but the problem does not seem to arise at certain locations on certain surfaces. It actually seems to be quite random, but at higher speeds.
This issue has just come about after I got rid of the standard 17inch avant-garde alloys and Bridgestone Potenza tyres and replaced them with 18inch Pirelli Rosso Tyres and alloys. I have had a balance and alignment done twice and the garage, which is not the same place I bought the wheels and tyres from, assures me the wheels are fine and the balance is spot on.
The car does pull to the left, however the steering wheel is straight when driving in a straight line, so I’m led to believe this is more to do with the slight camber of our roads here.
I’m just a bit lost as to where to start looking for problems. What could be causing the vibration/shaking from side to side. Sometimes is perfectly fine, and then the problem just appears. Are there any obvious things I should be looking at? Any possible suspension issues that may be the cause etc.?
I really would appreciate any help/guidance.
Thanks.
I am writing about my C200k avant-garde.
I am having an issue with the ‘steering’ feel I am getting. Every now and then I am getting a vibration/oscillation (shaking from side to side) through the steering.
I have noticed this does tend to occur at higher speeds, 80km/h +, but have not noticed that it occurs on any particular road surface type. Our road surfaces here in Australia can vary quite a bit, ranging from different grades of tar to concrete, but the problem does not seem to arise at certain locations on certain surfaces. It actually seems to be quite random, but at higher speeds.
This issue has just come about after I got rid of the standard 17inch avant-garde alloys and Bridgestone Potenza tyres and replaced them with 18inch Pirelli Rosso Tyres and alloys. I have had a balance and alignment done twice and the garage, which is not the same place I bought the wheels and tyres from, assures me the wheels are fine and the balance is spot on.
The car does pull to the left, however the steering wheel is straight when driving in a straight line, so I’m led to believe this is more to do with the slight camber of our roads here.
I’m just a bit lost as to where to start looking for problems. What could be causing the vibration/shaking from side to side. Sometimes is perfectly fine, and then the problem just appears. Are there any obvious things I should be looking at? Any possible suspension issues that may be the cause etc.?
I really would appreciate any help/guidance.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 4
From: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
15 E200CGI SPORT
Are them 18" rims you bought new or used? There should be a slight chance of the rims being bent and hence the vibration. I'm not too sure how to explain it to you but if you're rims are only slightly bent it is rather hard to notice it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
MB,
If the vibration has begun, after as you say, you changed over to the new 18" Pirilli's then you have most likely answered your own question.
There must be a problem with the new rims or tyres.
I would check if there is an excess of lead weights on the wheels which may indicate difficulty in balancing them.
I would rotate them from front to rear to see if there is any reduction in vibration.
Has the garage done an "on car" balance which is supposed to give better results.
Regarding suspension problems , how many Km has your car done.? A newish car should surely have no worn components.
My car pulls slightly to the left on most roads which is most likely caused by road camber. A good safety feature .
Interested to know how you progress with the problem.
JC Taree
If the vibration has begun, after as you say, you changed over to the new 18" Pirilli's then you have most likely answered your own question.
There must be a problem with the new rims or tyres.
I would check if there is an excess of lead weights on the wheels which may indicate difficulty in balancing them.
I would rotate them from front to rear to see if there is any reduction in vibration.
Has the garage done an "on car" balance which is supposed to give better results.
Regarding suspension problems , how many Km has your car done.? A newish car should surely have no worn components.
My car pulls slightly to the left on most roads which is most likely caused by road camber. A good safety feature .
Interested to know how you progress with the problem.
JC Taree
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Thanks guys. The car is a 2007 model with 56000km on the clock, so surely there shouldn't be any suspension issues. I have noticed the car clearly does not ride as smoothly as our 2008 C though.
I will get the wheels checked out further.
* check for excess weights
* ask for an on car balance
* Wheel force test? I've noticed this mentioned in a few threads dealing with vibration. What exactly is this?
I will get the wheels checked out further.
* check for excess weights
* ask for an on car balance
* Wheel force test? I've noticed this mentioned in a few threads dealing with vibration. What exactly is this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
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From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
I've been dealing with the exact same problem as you for the past year..right after I switched to 18" wheels as well.
I've gone through multiple balances and still no one can figure out what's causing it. The last balance I had done seemed to dramatically reduce the occurance of the vibration but it still shows up every once in a while. I've been meaning to get it in for a road-force balance hoping that would be able to better detect a minor imperfection in one of the wheels or tires.
Good luck, and if you figure out the cause then please update us as this has been driving me insane forever.
I've gone through multiple balances and still no one can figure out what's causing it. The last balance I had done seemed to dramatically reduce the occurance of the vibration but it still shows up every once in a while. I've been meaning to get it in for a road-force balance hoping that would be able to better detect a minor imperfection in one of the wheels or tires.
Good luck, and if you figure out the cause then please update us as this has been driving me insane forever.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Philippines/California, USA
W204 C280
Are your rims aftermarket? Were they specifically made for your W204 or are they generic?
I ask this because you said you've already checked for balancing and the alignment is spot on, and since you only started experiencing this after you swapped to the 18s, the center bore of your rim may be too big for your car's hub. If it is, you'll need a wheel hub centric ring.
Wheel hub centric rings are designed to fill in the gap between the hub of the car and the center bore of the wheel. Most generic aftermarket wheel manufacturers design their wheels with a center bore large enough to fit on a wide variety of cars. Therefore, in your case, there may be a gap between the hub and the centerbore of your rim. This gap usually doesn't allow for the wheel to fit hubcentric but rather lugcentric, which causes vibration.
You'll need to check for the right size for the ring and any specialty rim shop should be able to help you with that. It would also be a good idea to check with the shop or where you got your 18 inch rims from for help on getting the exact specification.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
I ask this because you said you've already checked for balancing and the alignment is spot on, and since you only started experiencing this after you swapped to the 18s, the center bore of your rim may be too big for your car's hub. If it is, you'll need a wheel hub centric ring.
Wheel hub centric rings are designed to fill in the gap between the hub of the car and the center bore of the wheel. Most generic aftermarket wheel manufacturers design their wheels with a center bore large enough to fit on a wide variety of cars. Therefore, in your case, there may be a gap between the hub and the centerbore of your rim. This gap usually doesn't allow for the wheel to fit hubcentric but rather lugcentric, which causes vibration.
You'll need to check for the right size for the ring and any specialty rim shop should be able to help you with that. It would also be a good idea to check with the shop or where you got your 18 inch rims from for help on getting the exact specification.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Philippines/California, USA
W204 C280
This site will help explain in pictures what I'm talking about with regards to hubcentric and lugcentric.
http://www.miata.net/garage/hubcentric.html
And here's a diagram of how a hub centric ring works.
http://www.miata.net/garage/hubcentric.html
And here's a diagram of how a hub centric ring works.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
I dunno about the OP but mine are amg replicas designed for MBs and I was told all MBs have the same size hub meaning I wouldn't need a hubcentric ring. Who knows. It's become infrequent enough that I stopped trying to fix it. Still irritating though.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Mine are AMG replica wheels, and I really hope there isn't an issue with them. I have noticed the problem has become less noticeable, but its still there and still comes and goes intermittently at around 100km per hour. If I go faster it doesn't really amplify the issue and it really doesn't seem to be related to the smoothness of the road surface in any way.
Can anyone explain what a wheel force test is?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
A traditional wheel balancing machine just spins the wheel, while a road force balance applies a massive amount of pressure on the wheel while it's spinning..simulating the "road force." It can sometimes pick up impurities/etc that a traditional balance can miss.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 312
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C350 Elegance
Changing from 17"to 18" is not a big change. Nevertheless the factors affecting the change are the same as to any other size.
First, small as the change is, the geometry of the car changes and so is the center of gravity.
Suposing that the number of wheel turns per mile was maintained, the new tire heels are harder and the ride would have more bounce at the expense of comfort.
As for the wheels themselves, they are affected by any imperfection, their offset, their width as it relates to tire fit, over the hub fit, any change in lateral spacing, and even brake and suspension interaction.
Balancing should be precise, then the vehicle with a full tank of gas and tires at the correct recommended pressure, with spare and tools in the trunk, should be set to the correct alignment. This should be tested on a flat road and, if necessary, compensated as required.
Now, who makes this? Knowing what's out there probably nobody without his own facilities and abilities. So, good luck to you.
First, small as the change is, the geometry of the car changes and so is the center of gravity.
Suposing that the number of wheel turns per mile was maintained, the new tire heels are harder and the ride would have more bounce at the expense of comfort.
As for the wheels themselves, they are affected by any imperfection, their offset, their width as it relates to tire fit, over the hub fit, any change in lateral spacing, and even brake and suspension interaction.
Balancing should be precise, then the vehicle with a full tank of gas and tires at the correct recommended pressure, with spare and tools in the trunk, should be set to the correct alignment. This should be tested on a flat road and, if necessary, compensated as required.
Now, who makes this? Knowing what's out there probably nobody without his own facilities and abilities. So, good luck to you.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 667
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From: Boston 'burbs
2018 E300 Lux, 2006 Corvette Z51, 2015 Mercedes ML350 (wife's)
Are the wheels staggered? As mentioned above, first thing I'd do is rotate them and see if you can isolate the problem to the wheels.
