Vibration at higher speeds and also when braking
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
Vibration at higher speeds and also when braking
Hi all,
I have a vibration in my 99 C43 when at higher speeds and under heavy acceleration, also when braking from higher speeds.
I cant tell where it is coming from, there is no vibration in the steering wheel.
When braking firmly from speeds 60kph and higher, there is a very simular vibration.
The donuts and center bearing are fine, theyre reasonably new and in good shape. Tyres are Michilen Pilot Sport 4 on the front, Pilot Sport 2 on the rear, and are 4 months old.
What could be causing this vibration?
Thanks all
I have a vibration in my 99 C43 when at higher speeds and under heavy acceleration, also when braking from higher speeds.
I cant tell where it is coming from, there is no vibration in the steering wheel.
When braking firmly from speeds 60kph and higher, there is a very simular vibration.
The donuts and center bearing are fine, theyre reasonably new and in good shape. Tyres are Michilen Pilot Sport 4 on the front, Pilot Sport 2 on the rear, and are 4 months old.
What could be causing this vibration?
Thanks all
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Hi all,
I have a vibration in my 99 C43 when at higher speeds and under heavy acceleration, also when braking from higher speeds.
I cant tell where it is coming from, there is no vibration in the steering wheel.
When braking firmly from speeds 60kph and higher, there is a very simular vibration.
The donuts and center bearing are fine, theyre reasonably new and in good shape. Tyres are Michilen Pilot Sport 4 on the front, Pilot Sport 2 on the rear, and are 4 months old.
What could be causing this vibration?
Thanks all
I have a vibration in my 99 C43 when at higher speeds and under heavy acceleration, also when braking from higher speeds.
I cant tell where it is coming from, there is no vibration in the steering wheel.
When braking firmly from speeds 60kph and higher, there is a very simular vibration.
The donuts and center bearing are fine, theyre reasonably new and in good shape. Tyres are Michilen Pilot Sport 4 on the front, Pilot Sport 2 on the rear, and are 4 months old.
What could be causing this vibration?
Thanks all
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 46
From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
have you replaced anything lately. I had vibration and uneven tire wear. replaced my ball joints, but I still had the problem. turns out I fixed one problem but made another - had decided to add spacers and I put the wrong spacers on the front which caused vibration.
run over to the tire shop and ask them for an estimate to fix the problem and then go home and do it yourself. give the guy 20 bucks if you feel bad for not giving him the work
run over to the tire shop and ask them for an estimate to fix the problem and then go home and do it yourself. give the guy 20 bucks if you feel bad for not giving him the work
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
have you replaced anything lately. I had vibration and uneven tire wear. replaced my ball joints, but I still had the problem. turns out I fixed one problem but made another - had decided to add spacers and I put the wrong spacers on the front which caused vibration.
run over to the tire shop and ask them for an estimate to fix the problem and then go home and do it yourself. give the guy 20 bucks if you feel bad for not giving him the work
run over to the tire shop and ask them for an estimate to fix the problem and then go home and do it yourself. give the guy 20 bucks if you feel bad for not giving him the work
The only thing replaced this year is the center bearing, and the issue was there before that.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 46
From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
some spacers i bought from ebay. the rears fit fine, but the fronts caused vibration. i never found any spacers for the front. i have a slight rub on the rear as the spacers push my tires out too far, i need to buy shorter lugs, remove the spacers and they should fit OK
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
some spacers i bought from ebay. the rears fit fine, but the fronts caused vibration. i never found any spacers for the front. i have a slight rub on the rear as the spacers push my tires out too far, i need to buy shorter lugs, remove the spacers and they should fit OK
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 40
From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
Let's work through each scenario:
Warped rotors: Pulsing brake pedal when applying the brakes. Frequency is speed dependent but it is an issue that should be felt under most braking circumstances.
Flat spotted tires: This should work itself out after you drive for a while. I had tires that liked to develop a flat spot over cold nights, but it usually went away after about 5-10 minutes of driving.
Out of balance wheel/tire combo: This will lead to noticeably harsher vibrations (depending on how out of balance the set-up is) when the vehicle speed hits a certain value that causes resonance.
Imperfect tire, poor road force performance: This could potentially be caused by hitting a large pothole that compromises the structure of the tire or just inherent manufacturing defects in a low profile tire. This could feel similar to an out of balance wheel but would not be picked up on a tire balancing machine unless they used a road force machine. http://www.motorweek.org/features/go...orce_balancing
How long has this been going on? If the tires are 4-5 months old, perhaps take it back to the tire shop that did the work and have them take a look?
You can also jack the car up one wheel at a time and put your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to rock the wheel and the same for 9 and 3 o'clock. Look for any obvious looseness in either direction that could indicate a suspension, steering, or wheel bearing issue. On the fronts, make sure and leave the other front wheel on the ground or you'll just articulate the steering.
Warped rotors: Pulsing brake pedal when applying the brakes. Frequency is speed dependent but it is an issue that should be felt under most braking circumstances.
Flat spotted tires: This should work itself out after you drive for a while. I had tires that liked to develop a flat spot over cold nights, but it usually went away after about 5-10 minutes of driving.
Out of balance wheel/tire combo: This will lead to noticeably harsher vibrations (depending on how out of balance the set-up is) when the vehicle speed hits a certain value that causes resonance.
Imperfect tire, poor road force performance: This could potentially be caused by hitting a large pothole that compromises the structure of the tire or just inherent manufacturing defects in a low profile tire. This could feel similar to an out of balance wheel but would not be picked up on a tire balancing machine unless they used a road force machine. http://www.motorweek.org/features/go...orce_balancing
How long has this been going on? If the tires are 4-5 months old, perhaps take it back to the tire shop that did the work and have them take a look?
You can also jack the car up one wheel at a time and put your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to rock the wheel and the same for 9 and 3 o'clock. Look for any obvious looseness in either direction that could indicate a suspension, steering, or wheel bearing issue. On the fronts, make sure and leave the other front wheel on the ground or you'll just articulate the steering.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
From: Austin Tx
1998 C43 AMG, 2000 Audi S4, 2001 Audi S4, 2007 Subaru Forester XT
When was your lateral link and steering link last inspected/replaced? I just replaced mine and still have a shake (but not as violent), and am going to take my wheels and tires in for a re-balance.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
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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)
Just a thought, have you ever changed the steering shock?
