yuanja888

Steering damper just minimizes the rattle u feel when u hit a bump like rail road tracks and etc.... have a bad steering damper will not introduce vibrations.

however having bad tires, rotors, linkage rod will introduce vibration on smooth road driving conditions.

Linkage rod vibration is different from rotor or tire vibrations. Linkage vibration gets worse as speed picks up. While the tire (not ballanced)vibrations only happens within a range of speed. And lastly the warpped rotor vibration can only be felt during braking.

D-5

yuanja888, thanks for clearing things up! so that means it could be my tires that was causing the vibrations!? I'm running 19" SP9000 tires, what are the ways to check for a possible tire defect?

yuanja888

My steering linkage rod was loose (mech checked it for me). My front right tire got pinched and a piece of the rubber on the wall corner was torn off. It was roughly the size of 1/2 golf ball. That's pretty much how i figured the bad tire part is. Once they replaced the tire and the rod everything was smooth.

BTW we have the same tires. I think our tires are easily damaged. But also I do recall running over 2 large pot holes in one night. damn the sf roads.

blackbenzz

How much did it cost to get the steering linkage rod replaced? Would I be able to do it myself?

GrantWinTX

OK guys. I changed out rotors and pads again today and presto! vibration is gone! Went back to "Genuine Mercedes" rotors and pads from the dealer and that fixed the problem. So beware when buying any cross drilled or slotted rotors, that you buy the best quality as obviuosly Zimmerman Rotors aren't if the warped only after 2 weeks of moderate driving.

smalldog

Smooth riding again. I changed my rear springpads back to #3 (was #1) and that fixed most of the vibration. Then I had my wheels road forced balanced (the machine has a drum that puts a load on the tires) and now it's 95% vibration free. The tech did say my steering damper is weak. I ordered one today and will post results when I install it. Even if it doesn't get any better I'm happy.

spshond

Hey guys, I'am new to the Mercedes Benz world, my 2000 CLK430 is vibrating around 70MPH, any where else it is not. My braking is fine when slowing down, My 4 tires are about 1500 miles new. I'am close to taking it to get an alignment but dont want to waste the money if it will continue to happen, it sounds as the alignment nor the balance is fixing the issue. More like the steering dampner. Is this an easy Do it yourself? if it is, sould someone do a quick write up for me? The car has 40,000 miles on it. thanks for your imput.

D-5

In my case the steering damper did not fix the problem, it only makes my steering wheel firmer/tighter. I'm running on dot 3 spring pads in front and 2 in the back, stock brake pads and rotors, had 3 out of 4 of my 19" carlsson wheels fixed/straightened and of course rebalanced, my tires are still relatively new.... anyways none of the things mentioned above make my life easier, the car still vibrates as it used to be at highyway speed. Recently I just received my front/rear K-Mac camber kits. A member pointed out that the uneven tire wear caused by lowering cause vibration. I hope he is right, but I have a feeling that I still has a long way to go....

spshond

Steering Damper ?
vibration damper?
I called the Buckhead MB dealer today here in Atlanta. The price tag for the Steering Damper is 75.00 and its about a 30 minute job they said. Does this estimate sound ok? part price and time to install. Does anyone have pictures of the vibration damper? I'am experiencing 70 MPH vibrations on tthe highway on basically new tires. The rotors are fine. Any ideas before i go and get an alignment and or balance.

blackbenzz

Steering dampner look sbasically like a shock absorber. Its a 5 minute if not less job once you have car in the air. Its just basically take out the old bolt and put in new one, very easy.

SushDawg

Does this have any realtionship to the "Harmonic Balancer"

JOHNNYRENO

i just tightened my wheel bearing hub bolts and it went away. the big bolt in the center of the axle where you repack the bearings.

nfinite

Yeah i got a same problem for my clk 320 conv

pjmusselman

Got the same problem with my '02 CLK 430 -- for me it is happening btw 55 - 80; alignment seems to be OK. Has been into Fletcher Jones Newport Beach 2x -- this Thursday will be trip #3! Love the car otherwise -- my first MB so hope that this sour note can be fixed and I can begin enjoying the ride --- I've made notes on all the possible culprits and will discuss with my service advisor!

maverick5.0

my situation was that I had a bent rim AMG 17" left front, and a goodyear
tire with 10" long blister to include a bad draglink. so my clk is side lined ,
until I get my 19" general UHP exclaim from the T-rack!!!!!

DCarrera

Zimmermans have a HORRIBLE reputation in the Porsche community as well.

That said.. my 964 and 993 both had them and not problems, even when getting then nice and hot autocrossing or making a panic stop from 130 in the middle of the night when a deer jumped in front of me... oh.. wait.. er.. that was my brother that happened too.. I never speed )

x10 on only buying reputable rotors, even if the ones for my other car are more than $250 each.


BUT.. they sure do look good!

gregory13lil

I know that this post has be resurrected from the deep abyss BUT I have to say a positive thing about ZIMMERMAN rotors as well. I have used them about a year now and I use my brakes hard and they are running smooth as the day I bought them. I have a heck of a lot more brake dust but that just due to the OEM Brake pads (never again). I just recently did a brake flush and 2 nights ago a jerk passed a stop sign and I had to do a panic stop....MY car just gripped and stopped!!! NO screeching tires just a quick stop!! We have really good brakes these cars.

Greg

AmGbZe

I had the same problem with my 02 55 and it turned out being the steering damper... no problems every since.