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Hello, I drive a 2015 ML350 Bluetec and I have developed a vibration in the drivetrain.
I originally thought I had a brake or tire issue. The mechanic check it, took it for a test drive and said everything was good. My experience has been that when I drive it long distances in warm weather there is a vibration that develops and gets worst the faster you go.
I am planning on changing the transmission fluid as a first step. Can anyone suggest or provide your thoughts on what is causing this problem. My concern is that this may lead to other issues if I don't address this.
Thank you in advance for your comments and feedback
Hello, I drive a 2015 ML350 Bluetec and I have developed a vibration in the drivetrain.
I originally thought I had a brake or tire issue. The mechanic check it, took it for a test drive and said everything was good. My experience has been that when I drive it long distances in warm weather there is a vibration that develops and gets worst the faster you go.
I am planning on changing the transmission fluid as a first step. Can anyone suggest or provide your thoughts on what is causing this problem. My concern is that this may lead to other issues if I don't address this.
Thank you in advance for your comments and feedback
More diagnostic work is needed.
- what speed does the vibration occur? All speeds or certain speeds? Does the vibration change with speed?
- does braking affect the vibration?
- does steering (lane change) affect the vibration?
- do you have vibration at idle in park? Or at idle in Drive?
What is the history of this vehicle? How many miles are on it and how long have you owned it?
- what speed does the vibration occur? All speeds or certain speeds? Does the vibration change with speed?
When the vibration begins, it is at 60 - 65MPH and continues even when I slow down
- does braking affect the vibration?
Braking does not effect the vibration
- does steering (lane change) affect the vibration?
Steering does not change the vibration
- do you have vibration at idle in park? Or at idle in Drive?
Vibration is only apparent when the vehicle is being driven
What is the history of this vehicle? How many miles are on it and how long have you owned it?
The vehicle has approx. 135K km (84K miles). I have owned the vehicle since 2016
When the vibration begins, it is at 60 - 65MPH and continues even when I slow down
This is the "ideal" speed at which vibration due to wheel/tire imbalance reveals itself. Were new tires installed recently or wheels rotated? If yes, Road Force Balancing (on a special balancing machine) will likely cure the issue.
Try rotating the wheels/tires. It's a cheap/free easy troubleshoot to see if that makes any difference.. Does the steering wheel oscillate left and right?
Try rotating the wheels/tires. It's a cheap/free easy troubleshoot to see if that makes any difference.. Does the steering wheel oscillate left and right?
I doubt it's transmission related, ie you suggested changing the transmission fluid, while it's a worthwhile maintenance item, I would not anticipate that as the cause.
I doubt it's transmission related, ie you suggested changing the transmission fluid, while it's a worthwhile maintenance item, I would not anticipate that as the cause.
Thank you Etienne, I will have the mechanic look at these items.
@danrob I did have 2011 VW Touareg TDI that also vibrated at speeds in your range. And it was a known issue with that vehicle. VW Issued a TSB and if you followed the TSB carefully the issue was resolved. But the suggestion further up about having the tires balanced is also a good suggestion as well. The VW Touareg also had prop-shaft/drive shaft that also would vibrate as well if the flex plate was worn out and the resolution was to repair/replace the flex plate.
So you really need to find a good Mercedes mechanic that knows that they are looking at on this one. DO NOT take it to a general mechanic that knows nothing or very little about Mercedes.
Etienne, thank you for the support. I have made an appointment to bring it into my mechanic. He specializes with MB and I am fairly confident he can find the problem especially with the some of the suggestions you have made.
While BBS generally makes great wheels, are they hub-centric for this specific application (66.6 mm)? I've had high quality aftermarket wheels cause this simply because they had incorrect or crappy plastic centering rings.
While BBS generally makes great wheels, are they hub-centric for this specific application (66.6 mm)? I've had high quality aftermarket wheels cause this simply because they had incorrect or crappy plastic centering rings.
Honestly I don't know. I do know that there are no plastic centering rings.
Honestly I don't know. I do know that there are no plastic centering rings.
Next time the wheels are off, have a look on the inside of the wheel centers (hub bores). BBS wheels should have am aluminum centering ring and a steel wire retaining ring that holds the centering ring in place. The hub bore should be clearly marked on the aluminum centering ring - it needs to be 66.6mm.
I've had this happen numerous times with aftermarket wheels that are not perfectly centered on the hub. Mercedes uses hub-centric wheels so the wheel bolts do not center the wheel - they only clamp it down. If the wheel is not perfectly centered on the hub, you'll get a vibration.
Next time the wheels are off, have a look on the inside of the wheel centers (hub bores). BBS wheels should have am aluminum centering ring and a steel wire retaining ring that holds the centering ring in place. The hub bore should be clearly marked on the aluminum centering ring - it needs to be 66.6mm.
I've had this happen numerous times with aftermarket wheels that are not perfectly centered on the hub. Mercedes uses hub-centric wheels so the wheel bolts do not center the wheel - they only clamp it down. If the wheel is not perfectly centered on the hub, you'll get a vibration.
Next time the wheels are off, have a look on the inside of the wheel centers (hub bores). BBS wheels should have am aluminum centering ring and a steel wire retaining ring that holds the centering ring in place. The hub bore should be clearly marked on the aluminum centering ring - it needs to be 66.6mm.
I've had this happen numerous times with aftermarket wheels that are not perfectly centered on the hub. Mercedes uses hub-centric wheels so the wheel bolts do not center the wheel - they only clamp it down. If the wheel is not perfectly centered on the hub, you'll get a vibration.
@danrob In parallel with what @Diabolis is saying. The VW Touareg TDI had similar vibration and was solved when VW issued a TSB. The TSB contained detailed instructions on how to properly mount wheel back onto the vehicle. The procedure required using the wheel bolts and wheel hanger in a particular sequence to make sure the wheel was centered on the hub. I did not believe the TSB when I first saw it come out, but I had the vibration. So I reluctantly one weekend repeated the steps on all 4 wheels. And I could not believe it, but after following the proper steps on the TSB to center the wheels on the HUB, the problem went away.
danrob, interested to know your outcome, i have a similar problem and suspected it is the center bearing mount. i had replaced all the tyres etc and the vibration remained, SOLUTION WAS. the coupling to the grearbox was loose
Hi , yes, after the installation of another drive shaft and that did not fix the problem, i changed a couple of tyres which didnt solve the problem,
eventrally ballanced the new tyre (michilin) that had bene fitted and that was the problem. a very expensive journey to find the fault of a new tyre not correctly ballanced. (and i recall im sure i had that tyre reballanced as part of the diagnosis process)
Turned out I had a couple of issues;
1 - my right front wheel was out of round caused from being run off the road
2 - left front brake caliber seized. Had to replace the caliber, both rotors and replace the pads.
No issues since then.
Originally Posted by robfolland
Hi , yes, after the installation of another drive shaft and that did not fix the problem, i changed a couple of tyres which didnt solve the problem,
eventrally ballanced the new tyre (michilin) that had bene fitted and that was the problem. a very expensive journey to find the fault of a new tyre not correctly ballanced. (and i recall im sure i had that tyre reballanced as part of the diagnosis process)
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Drivetrain Vibration
