Loose Tail?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
Loose Tail?
Ever since I bought the car couple months ago, I've notice the rear feels "loose" whenever it goes over uneven surfaces. It feels as if the right side goes over a bump, the tail would want to slide to the left. Of course it doesn't really slide, just feels that way. I've never felt this in other MB vehicles I've driven before.
Is this a normal behavior? I have the non-airmatic suspension.
Thanks.
Is this a normal behavior? I have the non-airmatic suspension.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,281
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by steph280
Ever since I bought the car couple months ago, I've notice the rear feels "loose" whenever it goes over uneven surfaces. It feels as if the right side goes over a bump, the tail would want to slide to the left. Of course it doesn't really slide, just feels that way. I've never felt this in other MB vehicles I've driven before.
Is this a normal behavior? I have the non-airmatic suspension.
Thanks.
Is this a normal behavior? I have the non-airmatic suspension.
Thanks.
Trust your instincts and have the car checked,
Steve
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
I did have it checked, and SA says they can't duplicate the problem, just as I expected. I think there needs to be a big hole on the engine block for them to admit there is a problem.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 693
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
Since your car is an '05, I wouldn't suspect worn suspension bushings however, the question of rear suspension alignment comes to mind. Did the car exhibit this behavior with the original wheels & tires? Did the new wheels / tires change the offset?
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 462
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From: CT and FL
SL500 E320 ML350
Originally Posted by steph280
Yes this was happening before and after the wheel/tire change. I think I need to find another W211 to drive and see if it's just a normal behavior.
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 163
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From: NY,NY
2005 E320
steph280, your not going crazy and I know exactly what you mean. I get the same experience with my own 2005 e320.
On my highway commute home there is a turn that has a sliight bump. Without fail, every time I go over it the car feels liks it's shifting out and you almost feel that if you would go fast enough then the rear would kick out. This happened on my OEM wheels/tires and still happens on my new widder upgraded wheels/tires
I chalk it up to the fact that it is a rear wheel drive car. Have the other mb's you've drivern been rear, front or awd. Another time I sped slightly into a turn that was on an incline and it it was drizzling. The rear did kick out wildly, (pretty scary)
Try to notice it when you go over a bump that is on a turn it will happen more.
On my highway commute home there is a turn that has a sliight bump. Without fail, every time I go over it the car feels liks it's shifting out and you almost feel that if you would go fast enough then the rear would kick out. This happened on my OEM wheels/tires and still happens on my new widder upgraded wheels/tires
I chalk it up to the fact that it is a rear wheel drive car. Have the other mb's you've drivern been rear, front or awd. Another time I sped slightly into a turn that was on an incline and it it was drizzling. The rear did kick out wildly, (pretty scary)
Try to notice it when you go over a bump that is on a turn it will happen more.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
I am glad I am not the only one. All my previous cars (MB or not) were RWD, so this is not normal. I tend to think it has something to do with negative camber, but if it's within spec then all E320 would feel the same.
I do take a round-a-bout near my home at pretty high speed occasionally, and the car holds the line through turn pretty well. It's those straight-a-way crusing at highway speed that the loose tail effect is most noticable. Could this also be a result of oversensitive steering wheel?
I do take a round-a-bout near my home at pretty high speed occasionally, and the car holds the line through turn pretty well. It's those straight-a-way crusing at highway speed that the loose tail effect is most noticable. Could this also be a result of oversensitive steering wheel?
