Need help with a intresting vibration
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, Oregon
2002 C32 AMG
Need help with a intresting vibration
Hi guys, first off let me just say I did some searching and have yet to find any thread with someone have the same symptoms as my C32's having . When driving the car is drives perfectly smooth with the exception of between about 36mph and 44mph ( Exact I know but that's when it's noticeable) I feel a pretty decent vibration that almost feels like it's coming from the rear of the car and seems like it changes with the speed of the car. There is no shake is at lower speeds and is perfect at 100mph and after looking under the car and checking wheel balance I can't seem to find what is causing it so the only things I can think is maybe driveshaft? Rear diff issue of some sort? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!!!! 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
It still could be the tires. Even though they are staggered on a stock C32 you can put the fronts on the back and the backs on the front just for a test drive. If the car is lowered you might not get the rear tires on the front.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, Oregon
2002 C32 AMG
Appreciate the input! However, I am almost 96% sure it has nothing to do with the tires due to the fact that when I balanced them ( Work for BMW ) I also did a road force test to see if the tires were out of round or had any heavy spots and they came out great which leads me to believe the issue is something more in the drivetrain aspect of things which is hard to diag when the car is up on a lift. 
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 668
Likes: 17
From: NY
'03C32 Obsidian Black, '76Toyota Celica GT TRD, '12R350 4matic Arctic White, '06 ML 350 arctic white
i have the same problem and i gave up on it.....still had the vibration even after I bought new rims and tires. I also thought drive shaft but not likely....my last guess would be warrped rotors, the rear ones specificaly. I noticed that upon hard braking the vibration comes from the rear...I haven't change them since i got the car almost 10 yrs ago. I have 50,000 miles on the clock. I do plan to change all the rotors in a few weeks when I have a chance. GL
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
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From: Beaverton, Oregon
2002 C32 AMG
I'm right there with you Ramos, my C32 just rolled over 60k so it's got plety of life left! Juan, thanks for the input, is something you had an issue with before and this helped you?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
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From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
It could be your struts, strut bearings, or various suspension bushings?
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, Oregon
2002 C32 AMG
Thanks, Loud. I don't see why struts/strut bearing's would cause the symptom I have especially since everything suspension related feels pretty tight. As far as bushings go that still could be a possibility but when I inspected them prior there appear to be no cracks or play, that doesn't mean something couldn't be bad though! Glad to hear you're at 160k!
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2002 C32 AMG
I'm getting slight vibrations at high speeds only over 120km/h, i had all my wheels re-balanced and re-tracked. Still no good.
One thing i have notice is when braking hard at high speeds my brakes seem to judder a little, could it be the brake disks slightly warped which is causing the high speed vibrations.
I dont feel the steering wheel shake tho, also the brakes feel fine at normal driving speeds.
Any ideas?
One thing i have notice is when braking hard at high speeds my brakes seem to judder a little, could it be the brake disks slightly warped which is causing the high speed vibrations.
I dont feel the steering wheel shake tho, also the brakes feel fine at normal driving speeds.
Any ideas?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 668
Likes: 17
From: NY
'03C32 Obsidian Black, '76Toyota Celica GT TRD, '12R350 4matic Arctic White, '06 ML 350 arctic white
I'm getting slight vibrations at high speeds only over 120km/h, i had all my wheels re-balanced and re-tracked. Still no good.
One thing i have notice is when braking hard at high speeds my brakes seem to judder a little, could it be the brake disks slightly warped which is causing the high speed vibrations.
I dont feel the steering wheel shake tho, also the brakes feel fine at normal driving speeds.
Any ideas?
One thing i have notice is when braking hard at high speeds my brakes seem to judder a little, could it be the brake disks slightly warped which is causing the high speed vibrations.
I dont feel the steering wheel shake tho, also the brakes feel fine at normal driving speeds.
Any ideas?
Last edited by W203Ramos; Mar 16, 2012 at 01:36 PM.
