I get this minor vibration around 40mph + and gets weaker up in 60
#51
Mine has the a similar issue with it seeming to be worse when it is cold or especially when it has not been driven for a while. I know that one of my rims is slightly out of round but I am not convinced that is not the problem because the vibration is not consistently present. Tires can develop temporary flat spots when they sit a while but it does not feel like that to me. I am going to change the rubber bushings in the suspension when I get a chance.
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 391
Likes: 13
From: Orlando, FL
05 CLK55 AMG (1 of 247) Cubanitsilber designo series
If you feel it through the steering wheel try looking at the steering damper. Cheap, and easy to replace. Also the bearings may be loose. I had a slight vibe at 40mph when I bought mine, and it turned out to be the front bearings. I checked them, and just ended up replacing them. Took care of the issue.
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 441
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
Guys all good things to look into but the solution might be simpler. Again only responding because this hasn't been resolved for some, i found the vibration was from my right front tire being flat spotted. The vibration lessened as I drove higher speeds longer on the highway, I think because the tires heat up as you drive at speed over distance and the rubber is a bit more pliable, i.e. obviously no expert just a guess based on observation. Gone since I got new tires. Hope it helps.
#54
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 98
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
Here is what I found today, I am in the middle of a header install and had to remove the heat shield covering the driveshaft support. I wanted to pry the exhaust back to remove the passenger down pipe and found this:
You can see the gap on the carrier bearing rubber, 0.5" slop.
Transmission mount is destroyed as well. My shake started in around 60mph.
Cheers, Gator
You can see the gap on the carrier bearing rubber, 0.5" slop.
Transmission mount is destroyed as well. My shake started in around 60mph.
Cheers, Gator
#55
Whoa, I have this same issue at the same speeds! Just not a CLK, instead an E63 AMG.
Bought the car used a few weeks ago (34k miles). So far I've had the dealer tell me three (three!?) wheels were bent and allowed them to repair and balance them. I have also replaced one tire that was fairly bad *not* at the dealer, who wanted $575 for the tire... sheesh. After all that they finally tell me it's normal and I shouldn't worry about it.
The vibration is in the pedal, seat, floor and steering wheel. It's subtle but quite noticeable at 45MPH and fades up to about 75-80MPH.
After trolling these forums and others I've come up with the following common issues mentioned:
Is there anyone in the Orlando area that has an awesome mechanic or shop that knows their stuff? The shake is sort of ruining the MB experience for me.
Bought the car used a few weeks ago (34k miles). So far I've had the dealer tell me three (three!?) wheels were bent and allowed them to repair and balance them. I have also replaced one tire that was fairly bad *not* at the dealer, who wanted $575 for the tire... sheesh. After all that they finally tell me it's normal and I shouldn't worry about it.
The vibration is in the pedal, seat, floor and steering wheel. It's subtle but quite noticeable at 45MPH and fades up to about 75-80MPH.
After trolling these forums and others I've come up with the following common issues mentioned:
- flex disc
- drive shaft
- transmission mounts ++ (they said they checked these)
- engine mounts
- wheels (repaired)
- tires (one new, balanced)
- busings or bearings in various things
- brakes?
Is there anyone in the Orlando area that has an awesome mechanic or shop that knows their stuff? The shake is sort of ruining the MB experience for me.
#56
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 391
Likes: 13
From: Orlando, FL
05 CLK55 AMG (1 of 247) Cubanitsilber designo series
Yes. http://www.europaorlando.com/ Outstanding indie shop.
(407) 255-2972
105 Candace Drive Unit 101
Maitland, FL 32751
(407) 255-2972
105 Candace Drive Unit 101
Maitland, FL 32751
#57
Yes. http://www.europaorlando.com/ Outstanding indie shop.
(407) 255-2972
105 Candace Drive Unit 101
Maitland, FL 32751
(407) 255-2972
105 Candace Drive Unit 101
Maitland, FL 32751
#58
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 98
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
More Notes:
The rear section of the driveshaft that the carrier bearing support is installed on contains a universal joint.
I replaced my driveshaft support assembly via www.autohause.az.com . The u-joint contained a memory which leads me to believe that the needle bearings might be flat spotted.
Mercedes swedged the U-joint into place and very few foundry or driveline specialists have the technology and tooling.
My last venture with this was a re-manufacturer in Oregon on my W124. (not cheap)
For now most of my vibes are gone but I know what is coming.
Cheers, Gator
The rear section of the driveshaft that the carrier bearing support is installed on contains a universal joint.
I replaced my driveshaft support assembly via www.autohause.az.com . The u-joint contained a memory which leads me to believe that the needle bearings might be flat spotted.
Mercedes swedged the U-joint into place and very few foundry or driveline specialists have the technology and tooling.
My last venture with this was a re-manufacturer in Oregon on my W124. (not cheap)
For now most of my vibes are gone but I know what is coming.
Cheers, Gator
#62
Mine was the prop shaft, every part was dry and worn only fix was complete replacement!.
I believe the life of these depends a lot on temperature, if your stuck in traffic all day(heat from exhaust) or live in dessert they will wear much faster..
I believe the life of these depends a lot on temperature, if your stuck in traffic all day(heat from exhaust) or live in dessert they will wear much faster..
#63
I have had the wheels and tires checked thoroughly. I even drove the car around on a second set just to be sure that it wasn't those. Both sets were balanced before driving.
My current guesses are either a wheel bearing or drive shaft.
Waiting on mechanic to get back to me when he gets his "chassis ears" setup so we can better measure the issue.
My current guesses are either a wheel bearing or drive shaft.
Waiting on mechanic to get back to me when he gets his "chassis ears" setup so we can better measure the issue.
#64
Be sure to check your transition fluid while hot, I have a slow leak and I can tell when it's getting low by the vibration around 38 MPH and it goes away by 55. Happens every few months.
#65
Finally...
Had mechanic look again, after the mounts, and they determined it was a "rear flex disk".
They replaced the drive shaft support bushings, subframe bushings and flex disk. Or something along those lines...
Vibration is now gone.
This was not a cheap experience, but now I get no vibrations from 45-> so I'm happy!
Had mechanic look again, after the mounts, and they determined it was a "rear flex disk".
They replaced the drive shaft support bushings, subframe bushings and flex disk. Or something along those lines...
Vibration is now gone.
This was not a cheap experience, but now I get no vibrations from 45-> so I'm happy!
#66
Finally...
Had mechanic look again, after the mounts, and they determined it was a "rear flex disk".
They replaced the drive shaft support bushings, subframe bushings and flex disk. Or something along those lines...
Vibration is now gone.
This was not a cheap experience, but now I get no vibrations from 45-> so I'm happy!
Had mechanic look again, after the mounts, and they determined it was a "rear flex disk".
They replaced the drive shaft support bushings, subframe bushings and flex disk. Or something along those lines...
Vibration is now gone.
This was not a cheap experience, but now I get no vibrations from 45-> so I'm happy!
That's what the dealership thinks is wrong with my car. I never got it fixed.
#67
They pretty much did everything you mentioned in #16, even though I'm sure the tranny mounts were ok they replaced them because it's a "common symptom", even after I mentioned I read it could be the flex disk.
Anyway, the saddest thing in all this is that I feel like the flex disk failure was probably a symptom of the drive shaft being out of alignment. Because at 45 now I can still feel the faintest ghost of a vibration, but I'm at my upper limit for spending money on this issue. My current fear is that it will slowly return.