Steering Problems...
03-04-2005, 03:14 PM
#1
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2005 E55, 2002 CLK55, 2005 SLK350 also a 2009 BMW 335-IX
Steering Problems...
I have a 2002 CLK55 with just 13K miles on it with the Original Michelin Pilot Sports. They have lots of tread left.
On very smoth pavement at high speeds it tracks straight, stable and true. At slower, in-town speeds, with any imperfections in the road surface, it's all over the place, pulling to one side or another. The damn thing has a mind of it's own. I had the MB Dealership check/perform an alignment last year and it really has not changed anything. I have played with the tire pressures and that makes no difference.
My other cars (front drivers) do not exhibit this problem. Any advice for me short of getting a 911?
Regards,
HEO
On very smoth pavement at high speeds it tracks straight, stable and true. At slower, in-town speeds, with any imperfections in the road surface, it's all over the place, pulling to one side or another. The damn thing has a mind of it's own. I had the MB Dealership check/perform an alignment last year and it really has not changed anything. I have played with the tire pressures and that makes no difference.
My other cars (front drivers) do not exhibit this problem. Any advice for me short of getting a 911?
Regards,
HEO
03-04-2005, 06:03 PM
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'11 S550 4Matic, '12 SL63 AMG, '13 ML350, '16 AMG GT-S Ed. 1,'03 Ford F-250
Not sure how long you have had the car, or your driving experience, as there are a lot of people here with much more driving experience than I, so excuse me if I sound niave, but high performance tires will track everything in the road surface. When I first put high performance tires on my E400 years ago, I felt the same way, thought something was wrong with my car, but it was just the tires grabbing everything in the road, in the way of undulations.
Just a thought!
Just a thought!
03-05-2005, 08:23 AM
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2005 E55, 2002 CLK55, 2005 SLK350 also a 2009 BMW 335-IX
I agree...
I agree that these high performance tires are very sticky and really grab every imperfection in the road surface. I just don't feel that the steering gear has much control over the front tires when they hit those ruts and joints. I really want to have both hands on the wheel!
Thanks for the replies,
HEO
Thanks for the replies,
HEO
03-07-2005, 03:19 PM
#6
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"Tramlining" is common with the OEM Pilot Sports. Make sure your PSI is at least 35 all around and this may alleviate some of the problem.
After I changed out my OE tires, I put on Michelin PS2s and have had little/no tramlining issues. Good luck!
After I changed out my OE tires, I put on Michelin PS2s and have had little/no tramlining issues. Good luck!
03-07-2005, 07:16 PM
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2005 E55, 2002 CLK55, 2005 SLK350 also a 2009 BMW 335-IX
Thanks Chappy... I'll try the suggested pressures and see if that helps. I have Pilot Sport A/S's on my Wife's Volvo and they run fine. That might be the ticket for the 55 when the OE tires go south.
BTW... Your banner graphic shows my car exactly, just put on a flat hood badge. What color is the interior? I have the charcoal and silver combo.
Regards,
HEO
BTW... Your banner graphic shows my car exactly, just put on a flat hood badge. What color is the interior? I have the charcoal and silver combo.
Regards,
HEO
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03-08-2005, 07:09 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by HighEndOne
my error...
You said P/S 2's... Are those the new model of the OE tires I have now?
You said P/S 2's... Are those the new model of the OE tires I have now?
03-08-2005, 07:11 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by HighEndOne
BTW... Your banner graphic shows my car exactly, just put on a flat hood badge. What color is the interior? I have the charcoal and silver combo.
Regards,
HEO
Regards,
HEO
Link here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/events-gatherings/95199-amg-photo-shoot-04-30-2005-a.html
Last edited by Chappy; 03-08-2005 at 07:15 AM.
03-08-2005, 09:32 PM
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E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
I've owned 7 w 208's,
320's to 55's, and anything other than just about dead on OE seems to have the nervous or tramlining issue. The 208 is one of the better late model Benz cars, but does seem to be quite tire and suspension sensitive. I like my car a good bit lower than OE, and I just have accepted the fact that the front end is going to be nervous under some conditions. The old style gear steering doesn't help either. Compromises, they just depend on what you prefer.
BTW, Chappy, have you had any problems with your PS2's being round? I took mine off and went back to the original Pilot Sport. Less road feel, but at least they were round and would stay that way. And I got an interesting call from Harris over at GT last week; he knew I had been doing lots of *****ing about the problems with the PS2. It is now confirmed that the design will be altered again, to address the "tracking and stability issues" (Michelins words, not mine) that they DIDN'T have before. Great tires, horrible customer service. They crack me up.....
BTW, Chappy, have you had any problems with your PS2's being round? I took mine off and went back to the original Pilot Sport. Less road feel, but at least they were round and would stay that way. And I got an interesting call from Harris over at GT last week; he knew I had been doing lots of *****ing about the problems with the PS2. It is now confirmed that the design will be altered again, to address the "tracking and stability issues" (Michelins words, not mine) that they DIDN'T have before. Great tires, horrible customer service. They crack me up.....
03-08-2005, 09:34 PM
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E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Also Chappy,
I am assuming that my 208 430 Cab with lots of Brabus parts will be quite unwelcome on your AMG ride and drive? Perhaps you just want me to stay off to the side when you get to the dragstrip? If you like, I'll bring up the rear....(grins)...
03-09-2005, 06:55 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by allenjdmb
I am assuming that my 208 430 Cab with lots of Brabus parts will be quite unwelcome on your AMG ride and drive? Perhaps you just want me to stay off to the side when you get to the dragstrip? If you like, I'll bring up the rear....(grins)...
I've only had the PS2s on for about 2K miles, but have had no issues, other than the tire tech who advised one tire had more "road force" on the balancer. Those tires grip like hell tho..... :v
03-26-2005, 02:18 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by rev
Hey Chappy,
So the Pilot Sport PS2s are good performers? How about the road noise, are they quiet?
So the Pilot Sport PS2s are good performers? How about the road noise, are they quiet?
I upped the PSI all around from 35 to 38 and they perform even better
