Scambo

Has anyone had this occurrence? It only happens when noone is in the front passenger seat, and I'm going faster than 50 MPH. I've tried to raise and lower the headrest, and moved the seat to more forward and backward positions to see if it made a difference. I haven't had any luck troubleshooting this issue myself. For now, I just turn up the stereo and forget about the clattering seat. Your guidance is much appreciated to help me resolve this.

GeorgeThompson

I had a similar problem in my w210 a year ago, but it would also vibrate when someone was in the seat. I took the car in for an alignment and the problem went away.

georgedaman

Try to move over to the passenger seat see if the drivers seat will vibrate too..
just kidding..Mostlikely just wheel balancing

Forumid

Not sure if the '04s are this way, but my '07 has a millimeter or two of vertical play in the base of the passenger side front seat. Dealer, of course, can't seem to notice it. The explanation I've given myself is that it has something to do with sensing the amount of weight on the seat so that the airbag "knows" if there's someone sitting there or not. Anyway, I can imagine that over time that that play could turn into something that would make noise if no one were sitting in the passenger seat. Just a guess, for all I know the weight is sensed some other way...

emilner

Sounds like alignment or a wheel off balance. I know if no one is in my passenger seat the headrest squeeks over bumps if it is raised too high. I have noticed the seats themselves are not very solid. When it is empty you can move the seat around quite a bit. I am used to my Escalade seats which were solid as stone (frame-wise) yet still very comfortable. The E seats move around more but still do have a great feel to them. I think MB had to skimp on the back frame supports in order to make the seat thinner for rear seat leg room (hence the bump-ins for knees in the back of the front seats).

Scambo

Thanks. Its been doing it for awhile, even after alignment and rotation. One way I've learned to stop it is just to drape my arm over the passenger seat headrest while driving...

Hey emilner, you still selling that Chevelle?? My bro in Ohio is looking for one of those bad boys...Please describe it, as he is looking for a SS396. He is a gearhead, so he likes special cars.

konigstiger

A balanced tire can still vibrate due to force variation. An unbalanced wheel causes vibration when spinning because of a heavy spot in the wheel. Force variation causes vibration because of uneven stiffness in the tire sidewall or tread, or because the wheel is out of round when rolling. When balancing, always have all four tires “road forced” balanced by a dealer or an independent.

emilner

Yeah I am kinda selling it, you know not actively advertising it, but if someone wants it I will sell it. Here are a few specs:
375hp 350ci completely redone
Cowl hood
Aluminum rad with electric 2 stage fans
Optima red top battery
4spd
Magnetic red with black stripes
Black interior w/ buckets/consol
Chrome Cragers with BFG radial TA's
Power brakes/steering
Pretty much everything is new!!

The car is in great shape in and out! I have tons of $$ into it, but with my 3 year old daughter and 8 month old son I never drive it. It sits under a cover in my garage. I am looking for $20,000.

I have a pic, but I do not know how to post it.

Thanks
Ed

Scambo

I'm going from Austin to Florida on Sunday, approximately 1200 miles round trip. Do you think there is any risk near term if one of the tires is slightly out of balance?

emilner

No, I don't see any major issues if it is so minor you don't feel the car vibrating, only the passenger seat.