ML350 vibration in the rain, not in the dry
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
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From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
ML350 vibration in the rain, not in the dry
I've had this issue for years now and its time to ask for help. I'm getting moderate to HEAVY steering wheel vibrations in the following conditions ONLY:
- in the rain (and i've turned on the wipers)
- when I have my aftermarket ENKEI wheels (no TPMS)
- not raining
- drizzling but I haven't turned on my wipers
- when I have my OEM wheels/tires on
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I've had this issue for years now and its time to ask for help. I'm getting moderate to HEAVY steering wheel vibrations in the following conditions ONLY:
- in the rain (and i've turned on the wipers)
- when I have my aftermarket ENKEI wheels (no TPMS)
- not raining
- drizzling but I haven't turned on my wipers
- when I have my OEM wheels/tires on
When were the brakes last replaced and who replaced them?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
Likes: 43
From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
front splitter
I've replaced the brakes and rotors myself 2 years ago. the truck only has 59K miles.
I don't think none of these are an issue because once I switch back to OEM wheels and tires, the problem doesn't exist.
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 136
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ML400 - 128i - Atlas VR6
Condition of the tires on the Enkei’s. This sounds like it is tire related since the OEM wheels are fine and that the Enkei’s have been rebalanced a bunch of times.
Also, what bolts are being used on the wheels and do the Enkeis have conical or spherical shaped bolts. Could it be that the Enkeis have conical recesses but the bolts are spherical and may not be tightening down the wheels all the way to the hub?
Do the Enkei wheels have hubcentric adapters? if the hubcentric adapters are not there or incorrect size it may not mount flush to the hub which can cause above mentioned issue as well I believe.
Edit: bring these questions to mechanics and hear what they have to say.
Also, what bolts are being used on the wheels and do the Enkeis have conical or spherical shaped bolts. Could it be that the Enkeis have conical recesses but the bolts are spherical and may not be tightening down the wheels all the way to the hub?
Do the Enkei wheels have hubcentric adapters? if the hubcentric adapters are not there or incorrect size it may not mount flush to the hub which can cause above mentioned issue as well I believe.
Edit: bring these questions to mechanics and hear what they have to say.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
Likes: 43
From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
Condition of the tires on the Enkei’s. This sounds like it is tire related since the OEM wheels are fine and that the Enkei’s have been rebalanced a bunch of times.
Also, what bolts are being used on the wheels and do the Enkeis have conical or spherical shaped bolts. Could it be that the Enkeis have conical recesses but the bolts are spherical and may not be tightening down the wheels all the way to the hub?
Do the Enkei wheels have hubcentric adapters? if the hubcentric adapters are not there or incorrect size it may not mount flush to the hub which can cause above mentioned issue as well I believe.
Edit: bring these questions to mechanics and hear what they have to say.
Also, what bolts are being used on the wheels and do the Enkeis have conical or spherical shaped bolts. Could it be that the Enkeis have conical recesses but the bolts are spherical and may not be tightening down the wheels all the way to the hub?
Do the Enkei wheels have hubcentric adapters? if the hubcentric adapters are not there or incorrect size it may not mount flush to the hub which can cause above mentioned issue as well I believe.
Edit: bring these questions to mechanics and hear what they have to say.
Plus why would it only vibrate in the rain? And after I've used the wipers for a bit. These are all my personal observations over the years. When it rains, without fail it happens. sometimes its bearable. sometimes I have to drive under 40 mph just to get home.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
Likes: 43
From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
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Out Of Control!!
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
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From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
Well, I remember reading something about Mercedes has a sensor that detects rain and when it does it tightens up the braking system a bit more. So I'm thinking when it rains, detected by running the wipers a few times, it tightens up the braking system but its not detecting the TPMS which affects braking? Crazy, I know, but its not too far fetch.
For me, the only difference between my aftermarket wheels and OEM wheels are the TPMS sensors. Tire thread are pretty much the same.
For me, the only difference between my aftermarket wheels and OEM wheels are the TPMS sensors. Tire thread are pretty much the same.
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Joined: May 2021
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From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
Well, I remember reading something about Mercedes has a sensor that detects rain and when it does it tightens up the braking system a bit more. So I'm thinking when it rains, detected by running the wipers a few times, it tightens up the braking system but its not detecting the TPMS which affects braking? Crazy, I know, but its not too far fetch.
For me, the only difference between my aftermarket wheels and OEM wheels are the TPMS sensors. Tire thread are pretty much the same.
For me, the only difference between my aftermarket wheels and OEM wheels are the TPMS sensors. Tire thread are pretty much the same.
Except for the TPMS missing on the non-OEM wheels, you seem to have checked all the common concerns: centered hub, correct lugs, proper torque, and "not bent/out of shape" wheels, correct? On dry pavement, the tire walls will take any disturbance because of the higher friction while on wet it is a toss. If the tire slips you will feel it stronger, not that it was not there before.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
Likes: 43
From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
Have you tried disabling ESP in the cluster?
Except for the TPMS missing on the non-OEM wheels, you seem to have checked all the common concerns: centered hub, correct lugs, proper torque, and "not bent/out of shape" wheels, correct? On dry pavement, the tire walls will take any disturbance because of the higher friction while on wet it is a toss. If the tire slips you will feel it stronger, not that it was not there before.
Except for the TPMS missing on the non-OEM wheels, you seem to have checked all the common concerns: centered hub, correct lugs, proper torque, and "not bent/out of shape" wheels, correct? On dry pavement, the tire walls will take any disturbance because of the higher friction while on wet it is a toss. If the tire slips you will feel it stronger, not that it was not there before.
Once it rains again and I'm on the highway, I will deactivate the ESP. Hope this will help. Thank you.
The wheels are hub centric.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
Likes: 43
From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
I did. An aftermarket one. They were supposed to be pre-programmed when I received them but they didn't work.
I tried getting them program by a shop to no avail. Honestly, at this point, I am done with these wheels. Once the tires on these go, I will get rid of them. So I don't want to spend more $$$ on these wheels.
I tried getting them program by a shop to no avail. Honestly, at this point, I am done with these wheels. Once the tires on these go, I will get rid of them. So I don't want to spend more $$$ on these wheels.
