Vibrating Steering Wheel
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
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CLK 350
Vibrating Steering Wheel
Hi, I have a 2008 CLK 350. Had a simple alignment done to it back in January and ever since then, I've had issues with a vibrating steering wheel. The ride of the car has become bumpy and not smooth as before, almost as if the tires were overinflated (already tried deflating the tire a bit). Also, the view in my driver side mirror is shaky when I'm at highway speeds, ie, the images in the mirror are shaky to the point I can't make out highway signs. I had the original dealer who did the alignment try to fix the problem 3 times to no avail. I recently took it to another MB dealer to get the problem fixed. They replaced the two front tires, another alignment, checked the balance, and tightened a loose bolt in the suspension, and the problem is still there. The service manager told me that with sportier cars, having a bit of a bumpier ride where you feel the road more is normal. I told him that the ride was smooth before and I want it that way again. So, the car is back at the dealer, they've had it for a week, and they haven't been able to find the problem. Any ideas on what it could be? I'm at my wits end. This car has just under 30K miles on it and I would like my car back to it's original smooth ride with no vibrating steering wheel and no shaky mirror!
Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 19
From: Nolensville,TN. USA
E 450 4matic cab MY22
A ding on the wheel can cause the vibration of which you speak. Even if the wheel is balanced it can still give a little bump to the ride.
The drivers side rear wheel on my car is dented on the inside. They discovered this the last time I had the tires balanced. It causes the drivers side mirror to shake at highway speeds.
I also had vibration in the steering wheel but getting all four wheels balanced took care of this. I plan on replacing the rear wheel as soon as I can find a decent price on an OEM wheel.
The drivers side rear wheel on my car is dented on the inside. They discovered this the last time I had the tires balanced. It causes the drivers side mirror to shake at highway speeds.
I also had vibration in the steering wheel but getting all four wheels balanced took care of this. I plan on replacing the rear wheel as soon as I can find a decent price on an OEM wheel.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
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From: Irvine, CA
GLE 450 2021, SLK 350 2013, Honda Civc Type R 2019, Suzuki GSXR 750 2014, Ducati Diavel 2018
If you have the 17 rims, try 30 psi up front and 32 in the back (two more psi than factory settings) this should smooth out the tires and the ride, that is if the tires are the problem. It could be power steering pump malfunction. Other than that I'm clueless.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
CLK 350
Thanks all for the insights. I am going on week 2 that the dealer has had my car now. I spoke to them yesterday and they sent my rims to a specialist to see if there are any dents or warps to it that could be the cause of the problems. I should hear back today. They did say that I had warped rotors which causes a noticeable shuddering of the steering wheel when I brake but from what I've heard, this generally should not cause the steering wheel to vibrate when driving. I'm going to ask the dealer about everyone's suggestions and see if they've checked those out already.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
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CLK 350
I got it back on Friday and while it's about 95% fixed there is still a noticeable shaking/vibration of the car when it coasts or slows down (without any gas or brakes) to 25mph. There is no noticeable vibration of the steering wheel anymore and the ride is much improved but I still feel a slight vibration.
What they did was replace the two front tires again after only having them for barely a week, new brake pads and rotors. The service manager is on vacation this week and ask that I drive it around this week and call him on Monday at which point I'll let him know about the problem I mention above. So, all in all, the root of the problem wasn't fixed - and they don't know what it is - but they've masked it some what with the 2nd set of new tires, brake pads and rotors.
This is so frustrating!!
What they did was replace the two front tires again after only having them for barely a week, new brake pads and rotors. The service manager is on vacation this week and ask that I drive it around this week and call him on Monday at which point I'll let him know about the problem I mention above. So, all in all, the root of the problem wasn't fixed - and they don't know what it is - but they've masked it some what with the 2nd set of new tires, brake pads and rotors.
This is so frustrating!!
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 58
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From: Springpatch, IL
2003 Mercedes CLK500
If your anywhere around Springfield IL, you should bring it into the shop I work at. We have people from Chicago that bring their cars down to us because the Mercedes "certified" shops cant find whats wrong. We actually have a C-Class on the lot now from up there to be serviced.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
2014 GL450
It still could be that one of your wheels is bent because even when a bent wheel gets a tire balancing, the car will still vibrate. It is most noticeable at freeway speeds. I take wheels to a place to get them unbent and refinished to stop the vibration.
