Shaking at highway speeds
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Joined: Sep 2013
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SL55 AMG
Shaking at highway speeds
W208 2001 CLK55, just picked it up a few days ago. GREAT car except at around 50-70 it shakes INTERMITTENTLY. I'll be cruising at let's say a constant speed of 60, and with no change, it'll start shaking for a few minutes, then stop. It gets progressively worse, then stops. The entire car shakes, and so does the steering wheel.
The car needs front tires, and I read somewhere you must re-torque the steering box every so often. Anything else I should be looking at? 70,000 miles.
Thanks.
The car needs front tires, and I read somewhere you must re-torque the steering box every so often. Anything else I should be looking at? 70,000 miles.
Thanks.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Congrats on the purchase.
It could be a number of things. Unbalanced wheel(s), a worn steering damper, worn tie rods, or a bad ball joint are all possibilities. I don't think the steering gear bolts will cause the car to shake between 50 and 70 MPH. Although they should be re-torqued every 4 years or 50,000 miles. Remove the wheel, torque the bolts, put the wheel back on and you're done. It takes about 15 minutes.
It could be a number of things. Unbalanced wheel(s), a worn steering damper, worn tie rods, or a bad ball joint are all possibilities. I don't think the steering gear bolts will cause the car to shake between 50 and 70 MPH. Although they should be re-torqued every 4 years or 50,000 miles. Remove the wheel, torque the bolts, put the wheel back on and you're done. It takes about 15 minutes.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
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From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
X2 the above advice mine cruises effortlessly at 80-90 mph, not only no shaking, you barely hear the engine. I'm sire if I did the cat deletes etc you would hear it's current quiet authority. Absolutely not normal to feel this car shaking.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: North of Boston
Re: my comment above is my thoughts on shaking cause....I agree that there should be no shake at any speed!
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
I just put new skins on and found some action on the RF while he was balancing, A light dimple in one of the rims at the bead,
Had notable shake and sawing at the wheel to keep it in line until new tires cleaned it up. I will have the bent wheel repaired at turbax to make it true again,
for now it is like new and tough again.
Have not had the whoes the others are mentioning but it is well worth investigating, there is a lot of good experience in their post.
Gator
Had notable shake and sawing at the wheel to keep it in line until new tires cleaned it up. I will have the bent wheel repaired at turbax to make it true again,
for now it is like new and tough again.
Have not had the whoes the others are mentioning but it is well worth investigating, there is a lot of good experience in their post.
Gator
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SL55 AMG
Replaced two front tires, put on Cooper 225/45/R17. They were $150 a piece, and they have the high-speed rating. I paid for the balancing of all 4 tires, and the vibration is all gone.
I crawled under the car, and my steering damper shows some signs of wear, just looks old. No fluid leaking though. Should I replace it anyway? I was also told the car needs an alignment.
I crawled under the car, and my steering damper shows some signs of wear, just looks old. No fluid leaking though. Should I replace it anyway? I was also told the car needs an alignment.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
It is your judgement to replace the damper. If it is binding or causing noise then replace it.
The damper is a safety feature and is used to reduce wheel shimmy in the event of a flat or encountering a large rock or hole in the road. It will help when parking to reduce steering counter force from mass camber angle change. under normal driving conditions it is not required at all.
Be weary of having your Benz aligned at a tire store, get it done if the steering spoke is off center or it pulls. Take it to a Euro Indy that has the rack or the dealer.
Cheers, Gator
The damper is a safety feature and is used to reduce wheel shimmy in the event of a flat or encountering a large rock or hole in the road. It will help when parking to reduce steering counter force from mass camber angle change. under normal driving conditions it is not required at all.
Be weary of having your Benz aligned at a tire store, get it done if the steering spoke is off center or it pulls. Take it to a Euro Indy that has the rack or the dealer.
Cheers, Gator
