503C43 ////AMG

I am the proud owner of a stock 1999 C43 AMG, unfortunately she isn't flying right. When i accelerate from a dead stop there is a vibration that seems to be coming from the center of the car, felt through the center console. I replaced the oil, belts, plugs, wires, MAF, ETS, center support bearing, flex disc, power steering pump, and had the transmission serviced by the dealership. Vibration still there I was checking something else with the car in "N" and revved up the engine...... there it was, the vibration. Sooooooooooooo I was thinking it was the drive shaft but with the car in neutral and the vibration still there it has to be engine right? The vibration occurs around 1800 rpm and goes away after you pass around 2200 rpm. I feel the vibration in 1st and 2nd but I don't feel it it any other gear (could still be there i just don't feel it). I had the car on a lift when I was changing the flex disc and the motor mounts and tranny mounts looked new, could it be the harmonic balancer or torque converter?. I am at a loss , can someone PLEASE point me in the right direction.

DRBC43AMG

Sorry don't know this kind of problem, but if you can get the car on a lift, trying revving the engine like you described previously and see if something is vibrating. Could also be a front pulley issue and harmonic damper, not sure though. Would be careful that something doesn't break with expensive damages.

Ausmbtech

Probably a collapsed transmission mount or RH engine mount. To check the transmission mount just grap the driveshaft just behind the transmission and pull down. If there is no movement then it has collasped/worn out. very cheap and easy to replace.

Also check your eninge mounts visually. On a V8 it's unusual to collaspe though, they usually break first

soveit_c43

it might be the hormonic ballancer theres a recal on the balancer

503C43 ////AMG

I checked the motor mounts and tranny mounts and they seem fine. I was thinking it could be the harmonic balancer, as I read somewhere there was a recall and I'm pretty sure I have the stock one. Any other ideas?

BenzMaster19

How do you know for "sure" the motor mounts are fine?? I replaced mine a few months ago and you really can't tell if they are gone unless you know what to look for and STILL, mine weren't bad at all maybe less then a quarter of an inch down, but still made a huge difference. You replaced so much already, why don't you just replace those anyways? They ain't that expensive in the first place.

503C43 ////AMG

I don't know for sure but on inspection the mounts looked new. I think the guy before me was chasing down the same vibration. I might just replace them anyways, 1 more new part on my new favorite car.

MBTEK

CHECK YOUR EXHAUST PIPE,THE ONE THAT RUNS UNDER THE BELLHOUSING,YOU'LL PROBABLY FIND IT'S TOUCHING THE TRANS.CAUSING THE VIBRATION.

503C43 ////AMG

haha I think you are right. I was driving tonight next to a divider and it sounded like I had something loose under my car, is this an easy fix?

503C43 ////AMG

So i got my car on a lift and started tapping my exhaust looking for a loose piece that might be rubbing or making the rattling sound I had heard. Sounded like I had rocks in my secondary cats so I cut them off and SURE enough what looks like rocks. Turns out it is my primary cats that MUST be degrading to say the least and creating a blockage of some sort. I welded on a straight pipe to delete the secondary cats and the vibration is at a MINIMUM now. I'm betting if I change the primaries the vibration will vanish.

P.S. If you want to fall in love with your C43 all over again, cut the exhaust pipes right before the secondary cats and FIRE HER UP.................. If only it was street legal............

503C43 ////AMG

I'm not so sure it is my catalytic converter anymore, it seems like it is speed related. When i get to about 10 MPH or so there is a vibration that feels like it is coming from the middle of the car under the arm rest area. First I thought it was RPM related but I feel the vibration at around 10 MPH regardless of the RPM as you can feel the vibration in 1st or 2nd gear. So I'm thinking if it was RPM related then I'm @ about 1800 rpm or so @ 10 MPH wouldn't I feel it @ 1800 RPM in 3rd or 4th gear as well???

mikekuriger

if it's a 99, the motor mounts probably should have been replaced twice by now. I'd change those even if you think they are ok. bad motor mounts will cause things to rub together that would normally not, and also introduce engine movement and vibration.

503C43 ////AMG

vibration only at 1800 rpm in 1st or 2nd gear?? why wouldn't i feel it in 3rd or 4th gear?

DRBC43AMG

I would check the transmission shaft center bearing. They do wear out and probably more so with the kind of torque the C43 has....

soveit_c43

when u were under your car did u look at the ruber cuplers??? the thing that between drive shaft and tranny . and did u ever go botom out your car hard???? if so i know on linlcons there drive shafts bend easy, look for dents on your drive shaft and maybe the drive shaft got off balance??? but also check freeplay on the rubber cupler and see if it isnt loose. hope this helps

jayrasheed

it usually is a gearbox issue, either internal or as mentioned above one of the couplers

DRBC43AMG

Hope not

jayrasheed

few days back was testing a W210 v6 and the client was complaining abt vibration on take off.
It turned out to be the gearbox.

And even on my 1981 280CE i once had a similar vibration and it was a gearbox.
Any way make sure u check the rubber couplers of the prop shaft.

jayrasheed

few days back was testing a W210 v6 and the client was complaining abt vibration on take off.
It turned out to be the gearbox.

And even on my 1981 280CE i once had a similar vibration and it was a gearbox.
Any way make sure u check the rubber couplers of the prop shaft.

soveit_c43

^^^^^ he is right it can be a gear box but u better make shure to look at the those cuplers in the front and rear lets all hope for a cheap fix

503C43 ////AMG

rubber coupler you are referring to is called a flex disc. I replaced both when I first got the car about 2 months ago. When I replaced it I looked at my u joints and drive shaft... everything seemed fine

503C43 ////AMG

I replaced the center support bearing when I did the flex disc and was checking u joints, you are right though... my center support bearing was DESTROYED

503C43 ////AMG

After everything I have replaced an inspected that is what I was leaning towards ...... so let me guess I will need a NEW tranny to fix this issue?

jayrasheed

have a good shop check the issue first.

AussieC43

Just had the exact same problem, got it check today. Turns out i had a broken tranny mount.