Slight vibration right to left in steering wheel
02-18-2005, 07:16 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Slight vibration right to left in steering wheel
I have a 1997 E320 with 162,000 on it
I am getting a slight right to left motion in my steering wheel between 45 and 55 mph
Has anyone experienced this problem?
Has anyone fixed this problem?
I am getting a slight right to left motion in my steering wheel between 45 and 55 mph
Has anyone experienced this problem?
Has anyone fixed this problem?
02-18-2005, 12:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Look at the outside tread wear pattern of your front tires. If they are wearing unevenly, with the outside tread being cupped or having hi's and low's in the tread blocks, this is probably what you are feeling in the steering wheel.
Per the last suggestion, you may want to get the front tires re-balanced. Ensure that you request a full balance job in "dynamic" mode. Most shops do this for stock wheels, but for aftermarket wheels, most people want all of the weights on the inside of the wheel, as not to be seen on the outside rim edge. You can still get a "dynamic" job with the weights on the inside, but you will need to explain to most of the shops exactly what you want.
Also, if the tires are cupped too much, even a re-balance job will not fix all of the vibration. If the tires are directional in tread pattern, you may need to have the right tire mounted to the left side and the left to the right to put the bad tread on the inside. Worst case, you may need new tires to cure this problem.
Per the last suggestion, you may want to get the front tires re-balanced. Ensure that you request a full balance job in "dynamic" mode. Most shops do this for stock wheels, but for aftermarket wheels, most people want all of the weights on the inside of the wheel, as not to be seen on the outside rim edge. You can still get a "dynamic" job with the weights on the inside, but you will need to explain to most of the shops exactly what you want.
Also, if the tires are cupped too much, even a re-balance job will not fix all of the vibration. If the tires are directional in tread pattern, you may need to have the right tire mounted to the left side and the left to the right to put the bad tread on the inside. Worst case, you may need new tires to cure this problem.
02-20-2005, 07:59 AM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
New Tires balanced Properly
I just put new pirrelli 210 snow tires on and I had the same problem with my Michelin sports.
The wheel moves slightly left to right not vibrating up and down.
I was thinking some kind a wear like a bushing but none is obvious
The wheel moves slightly left to right not vibrating up and down.
I was thinking some kind a wear like a bushing but none is obvious
02-22-2005, 01:00 PM
#7
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
I had this problem and it continued thru a tire replacement and careful re-balancing. Turned out to be the front rubber bushings in the lower control arms. Common problem on these cars. Dealers used to force out the old bushings and press in new ones. My dealer broke his $1300 press tool on mine so he replaced with new control arms with bushings already in place. I saw somewhere the other day that this is now the standard fix. One point to be aware of : the final tightening of the bushings must be done with the full weight of the car on the suspension otherwise bushings will not be on non-torqued state when car is stationary.
