Another problem: Vibration in JUST 5th gear (722.631)
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From: Norcal
43
Another problem: Vibration in JUST 5th gear (722.631)
So just recently, I noticed that when the car is in 5th gear going anywhere between 55mph-80mph, there is both minor and consistent shuddering in the entire car. I feel the throttle pedal vibrate on my foot, and the center sidewall vibrate on my leg. With a little bit more concentration, i also feel the vibration on my seat.
The timing of the shuddering is very consistent: on the freeway at 65mph it will shudder for one second, then the next it will go away. The second after that it will happen again, and so on. The shuddering will become slightly quicker if i increase speed and the shuddering will become slower if i decrease speed: so in other words, if I go 75mph the shuddering will be .8 seconds, then it will go away for .8 seconds; and if i go 55mph, the shuddering will be 1.2 seconds, and then it will be fine for 1.2 seconds.
I do not believe it is the tires, engine or exhaust creating this problem, as the vibration is isolated to fifth gear alone. Rear tires are new, and if it was a balancing issue then I would probably feel shuddering from the get go. First through fourth are seamless as well. The steering wheel does NOT vibrate, just the rest of the car.
I'm thinking it's the actual fifth gear in the transmission (rebuilt one year and three months ago, about 15,000 miles on it), but I have no way to check without throwing obscene amounts of money to diagnose it.
Did anyone here have this problem before, or know the solution? I'm afraid that extended and continuous driving with this symptom will cause damage SOMEWHERE... Input is definitely appreciated! Thanks in advance.
The timing of the shuddering is very consistent: on the freeway at 65mph it will shudder for one second, then the next it will go away. The second after that it will happen again, and so on. The shuddering will become slightly quicker if i increase speed and the shuddering will become slower if i decrease speed: so in other words, if I go 75mph the shuddering will be .8 seconds, then it will go away for .8 seconds; and if i go 55mph, the shuddering will be 1.2 seconds, and then it will be fine for 1.2 seconds.
I do not believe it is the tires, engine or exhaust creating this problem, as the vibration is isolated to fifth gear alone. Rear tires are new, and if it was a balancing issue then I would probably feel shuddering from the get go. First through fourth are seamless as well. The steering wheel does NOT vibrate, just the rest of the car.
I'm thinking it's the actual fifth gear in the transmission (rebuilt one year and three months ago, about 15,000 miles on it), but I have no way to check without throwing obscene amounts of money to diagnose it.
Did anyone here have this problem before, or know the solution? I'm afraid that extended and continuous driving with this symptom will cause damage SOMEWHERE... Input is definitely appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Last edited by LawRens; Sep 4, 2011 at 06:17 AM.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
What about 55-80 mph in 4th gear? Is it gear or speed related? OK you talk of 5th gear but does it do the noise at the same speed in a different gear?
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
I had this exact same problem a LONG time ago in a 1984 Camaro. I know they are completely different cars but the problem was IDENTICAL to what you are describing. Only in 5th gear, above 60 MPH, like a pulsing vibration that would increase with speed, and can be felt throughout the car.
It turned out to be the tranny. I am unsure of what was wrong as I took it in and had a shop fix it.
Sorry this isn't much help but after reading your post this took me back as you were describing the EXACT same symptoms I had.
It turned out to be the tranny. I am unsure of what was wrong as I took it in and had a shop fix it.
Sorry this isn't much help but after reading your post this took me back as you were describing the EXACT same symptoms I had.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,102
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From: Norcal
43
I had this exact same problem a LONG time ago in a 1984 Camaro. I know they are completely different cars but the problem was IDENTICAL to what you are describing. Only in 5th gear, above 60 MPH, like a pulsing vibration that would increase with speed, and can be felt throughout the car.
It turned out to be the tranny. I am unsure of what was wrong as I took it in and had a shop fix it.
Sorry this isn't much help but after reading your post this took me back as you were describing the EXACT same symptoms I had.
It turned out to be the tranny. I am unsure of what was wrong as I took it in and had a shop fix it.
Sorry this isn't much help but after reading your post this took me back as you were describing the EXACT same symptoms I had.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Two words: flex disc.
The disc could be on it's death bead, only acting ugly under specific loads at certain speeds. It's a normal wear part and you may wish to consider checking it out sooner rather than later. If the flex disk decides to let go at speed it could get ugly AND expensive.
The disc could be on it's death bead, only acting ugly under specific loads at certain speeds. It's a normal wear part and you may wish to consider checking it out sooner rather than later. If the flex disk decides to let go at speed it could get ugly AND expensive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Two words: flex disc.
The disc could be on it's death bead, only acting ugly under specific loads at certain speeds. It's a normal wear part and you may wish to consider checking it out sooner rather than later. If the flex disk decides to let go at speed it could get ugly AND expensive.
The disc could be on it's death bead, only acting ugly under specific loads at certain speeds. It's a normal wear part and you may wish to consider checking it out sooner rather than later. If the flex disk decides to let go at speed it could get ugly AND expensive.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
43
Two words: flex disc.
The disc could be on it's death bead, only acting ugly under specific loads at certain speeds. It's a normal wear part and you may wish to consider checking it out sooner rather than later. If the flex disk decides to let go at speed it could get ugly AND expensive.
The disc could be on it's death bead, only acting ugly under specific loads at certain speeds. It's a normal wear part and you may wish to consider checking it out sooner rather than later. If the flex disk decides to let go at speed it could get ugly AND expensive.
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From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
also check the transmission mount hasn't bottomed out (they dont break), very cheap and easy fix. If you can get access to a sds then you can turn off the torque convertor clutch whilst driving to confirm that isnt causeing the vibration. unlikely though as it's engauged in 3rd, 4th and 5th in the C43
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