Bad Shimmy at various speeds. Please Help!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: GA
1985 300d
Bad Shimmy at various speeds. Please Help!
Hi all, I'm a benz noob and I could use some help,
I got me an 1985 300d. It Ran somewhat smooth with only a minor shimmy past 60mph with stock 14" rims and well used tires. I hated the stock look and needed new rubber so I got some 7x17" aftermarkets. Now I have this earthquake of a shimmy when I get to about 50mph and sometimes 60mph. It is so bad that the car feels like car is going to fall apart! It is strange because somtimes it wont do it and run kind of smooth all the way to 70mph and other times when it starts to shake I can tap the brakes or let off the gas and it will stop the major shaking and let me continue to accelerate.
I thought it was the balancing so I put the stocks back on the front and keept the 17s in the back. The earthquake went away but then I put the 17s that were on the rear onto the front and the 17s that were on the front onto the rear and the earthquake came back. I can stick my head out the window and acctually see the wheel shake from side to side! Because I had no shaking with the 17s on the rear olny, I don't think the problem is with the balance of the wheels.
Now my question: Does it have to do with the size and width of the wheels or is my problem going to be the suspension system or something else?
I don't want to be stuck with those ugly stock rims. Anyone have any ideas?
I got me an 1985 300d. It Ran somewhat smooth with only a minor shimmy past 60mph with stock 14" rims and well used tires. I hated the stock look and needed new rubber so I got some 7x17" aftermarkets. Now I have this earthquake of a shimmy when I get to about 50mph and sometimes 60mph. It is so bad that the car feels like car is going to fall apart! It is strange because somtimes it wont do it and run kind of smooth all the way to 70mph and other times when it starts to shake I can tap the brakes or let off the gas and it will stop the major shaking and let me continue to accelerate.
I thought it was the balancing so I put the stocks back on the front and keept the 17s in the back. The earthquake went away but then I put the 17s that were on the rear onto the front and the 17s that were on the front onto the rear and the earthquake came back. I can stick my head out the window and acctually see the wheel shake from side to side! Because I had no shaking with the 17s on the rear olny, I don't think the problem is with the balance of the wheels.
Now my question: Does it have to do with the size and width of the wheels or is my problem going to be the suspension system or something else?
I don't want to be stuck with those ugly stock rims. Anyone have any ideas?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: NJ
'05 e320 cdi, '05 lexus rx330
Originally Posted by stuffdogg
Hi all, I'm a benz noob and I could use some help,
I got me an 1985 300d. It Ran somewhat smooth with only a minor shimmy past 60mph with stock 14" rims and well used tires. I hated the stock look and needed new rubber so I got some 7x17" aftermarkets. Now I have this earthquake of a shimmy when I get to about 50mph and sometimes 60mph. It is so bad that the car feels like car is going to fall apart! It is strange because somtimes it wont do it and run kind of smooth all the way to 70mph and other times when it starts to shake I can tap the brakes or let off the gas and it will stop the major shaking and let me continue to accelerate.
I thought it was the balancing so I put the stocks back on the front and keept the 17s in the back. The earthquake went away but then I put the 17s that were on the rear onto the front and the 17s that were on the front onto the rear and the earthquake came back. I can stick my head out the window and acctually see the wheel shake from side to side! Because I had no shaking with the 17s on the rear olny, I don't think the problem is with the balance of the wheels.
Now my question: Does it have to do with the size and width of the wheels or is my problem going to be the suspension system or something else?
I don't want to be stuck with those ugly stock rims. Anyone have any ideas?
I got me an 1985 300d. It Ran somewhat smooth with only a minor shimmy past 60mph with stock 14" rims and well used tires. I hated the stock look and needed new rubber so I got some 7x17" aftermarkets. Now I have this earthquake of a shimmy when I get to about 50mph and sometimes 60mph. It is so bad that the car feels like car is going to fall apart! It is strange because somtimes it wont do it and run kind of smooth all the way to 70mph and other times when it starts to shake I can tap the brakes or let off the gas and it will stop the major shaking and let me continue to accelerate.
I thought it was the balancing so I put the stocks back on the front and keept the 17s in the back. The earthquake went away but then I put the 17s that were on the rear onto the front and the 17s that were on the front onto the rear and the earthquake came back. I can stick my head out the window and acctually see the wheel shake from side to side! Because I had no shaking with the 17s on the rear olny, I don't think the problem is with the balance of the wheels.
Now my question: Does it have to do with the size and width of the wheels or is my problem going to be the suspension system or something else?
I don't want to be stuck with those ugly stock rims. Anyone have any ideas?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Michigan, USA
'05 E320 CDI, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2007 Porsche GT3
It's only logical that since the problem developed after installing your aftermarket wheels/tires, they are causing the problem. There are only a few possibilities:
-Lateral/Radial runout: Your new wheels/tires wobble or have radial runout. Easily detected - spin the tires one by one and see if they wobble or have radial runout. Either of these should be readily detectable with a Hunter Road Force balancing machine. Likely causes: Aftermarket wheels with manufacturing defects or centering rings that didn't get installed, or defective tires (less likely, IMHO), or tire installationm that's incorrect.
-Poor balance job. Note you MUST make sure that radial and lateral runout issues are fixed before a proper balance job can be done.
Cheap aftermarket wheels are notorious for causing problems. Find yourself a tire shop with a Hunter Road Force balancing machine and knowledgable and conscientous operators, and the solution should be readily found.
Good luck,
-Lateral/Radial runout: Your new wheels/tires wobble or have radial runout. Easily detected - spin the tires one by one and see if they wobble or have radial runout. Either of these should be readily detectable with a Hunter Road Force balancing machine. Likely causes: Aftermarket wheels with manufacturing defects or centering rings that didn't get installed, or defective tires (less likely, IMHO), or tire installationm that's incorrect.
-Poor balance job. Note you MUST make sure that radial and lateral runout issues are fixed before a proper balance job can be done.
Cheap aftermarket wheels are notorious for causing problems. Find yourself a tire shop with a Hunter Road Force balancing machine and knowledgable and conscientous operators, and the solution should be readily found.
Good luck,
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: GA
1985 300d
Ok, steering damper (shock) was 90% of my problem. It was totaly worn out. I spent $60.00 on the part and installed it myself In about 15 min! Wheels are balanced well. I use a local guy who has good equipment and I trust 100% and has perfectly balanced my wheels for years. I still have a slight shake that a can feel in the steering wheel at 60mph but nothing like It was before. I think I may have another steering or suspension component worn. Thanks for the help guys and please feel free to continue this discussion with any more suggestions.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: mesa az
1983 300sd
Originally Posted by stuffdogg
Ok, steering damper (shock) was 90% of my problem. It was totaly worn out. I spent $60.00 on the part and installed it myself In about 15 min! Wheels are balanced well. I use a local guy who has good equipment and I trust 100% and has perfectly balanced my wheels for years. I still have a slight shake that a can feel in the steering wheel at 60mph but nothing like It was before. I think I may have another steering or suspension component worn. Thanks for the help guys and please feel free to continue this discussion with any more suggestions.
they are 20 buck at european automotive.com. check your lower balljoints idler arm mount and tie rods for play. if you see the boot is ripped just assume its time for new parts.
