vibration at about 70mph
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
'06 CLK500 '00 S500
vibration at about 70mph
Hi everybody, I'm new here. I've been reading around the forum and decided to join since I've found alot of useful info here. Anyways cut to the chase, I have a 00 s500 and at approximately 65-75mph I feel a vibration thoughout the whole car. I've taken to the dealer a few times. The first time they told me that the tires needed to be balance, so that was done. Went to pick the car up and as soon as I jumped on the freeway the same issue, turned around and went back to the dealer again. I left the car there they call me the next day. They told me that the driveshaft was bent, so I went ahead and had that replaced. Picked up the car a few days later, nothing had changed. At this point I don't feel or trust that the dealer knows what they are doing. I don't really want to take it to another dealer yet so I figured I would post this up. Anyone had the same problem before or any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks : wall:
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 687
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From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
humm. 20's . That's a new set of things to check.
1. bent rim?
2. Tire damage cause bubbling on the side?
3. Is the Rim hub centric? Does it use hub centering rings?
4. Lug bolts. Does it have the correct type.
OEM is a 14mm ball seat bolts
aftermarket rim usually use Acore seat type Lug/bolts.
1. bent rim?
2. Tire damage cause bubbling on the side?
3. Is the Rim hub centric? Does it use hub centering rings?
4. Lug bolts. Does it have the correct type.
OEM is a 14mm ball seat bolts
aftermarket rim usually use Acore seat type Lug/bolts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,155
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
It's the tires...
Mine did the same exact thing until I switched to Michelin Pilot's, used to vibrate a little w/Conti's then put on some cheapies "Toyo's" and they vibrated like Hell! And I went thru all the same **** you did except drive shaft replacment, I was going crazy!! as well as the mechanics then I read somewhere about Michelin Pilots being best and sure enough rides smooth as glasss.....Sean....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,155
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
Try the Michelin Pilots, I'm not the only one there's been other threads on this do a search.
I know that's not what you probably want to hear "Get some new tires" but in this case for some reason Michelin Pilots are made better, I was shocked when I realized that was the fix to the problem....
I know that's not what you probably want to hear "Get some new tires" but in this case for some reason Michelin Pilots are made better, I was shocked when I realized that was the fix to the problem....
Last edited by Thericker; Jan 29, 2005 at 02:41 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Atlanta
E500, CLK, VW Touareg, Audi TT
SDOUBLE 0 welcome to the forum, Have your tires high speed balanced on the car-- that solved my problems on my CLK-- Look for a shop that can do a balance with the tires on the vehicle-- That is of course if you have not resolved the problem-- I use butler tire-- Do a search on google for Butler tire- they are located in Atlanta- They will explain why the process works better than others-- With wheels the size u have u almost have to get this done-- It cost me $120 for 4 tires- but I am happy with the results-- Let us know what you find out---
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
2001 S500
I had a similar problem on my 01 S500. I changed the tires, Michelin Pilot's it was better, but at higher speeds it was still noticeable. At my Dealer they gave it to a tech nick named "Speedie". They did a balance forget exactly what it was called, but was a balance designed for AMG wheels or something like that. That solved it! The ride is now smooth. I can try to find my work order with the specifics it you think it would be useful.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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They probably computer balanced the wheels. There's basically two methods. Method #1 is the tire store method where they balance the wheels without taking them off the car -- which is great for the exacting tolerances of a Dodge Neon.
Method #2 is this: www.gsp9700.com
Method #2 is this: www.gsp9700.com
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
'06 CLK500 '00 S500
Hey thanks for all the info guys, I'm gonna try to do the high speed balance on the car and if that still doesn't solve anything I'll just go ahead and replace the tires. I'll keep you guys updated.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 50
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'06 CLK500 '00 S500
Here's an intersting find, I was driving the car the other day and I noticed there was no vibration. Smooth as glass, now it makes me wonder if it really is a tire balance problem or something related to the drivetrain.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: NJ
2000 S430
Just bought a new 20 inch tire for my s430 and when i drove on the high way at 70 mph exactly not 65 or even 75 the car vibrated. I just went back to the store and they balanced the front tires and no more vibration. The car drives fine now. So it had to be the balancing.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
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From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Originally Posted by S5double0
Mine was the same, I'm gonna give the tire a rebalance again to see what happens. Thanks
http://128.242.141.111/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm
If that doesn't work, you'll need to make sure you have no bent rims, get a 4-wheel alignment, and then go from there.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Brooklyn
02 S500 Sport
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 508
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From: california high desert
2003 S500, 03 C240, 03 E320, 03 tahoe
ill catch flack but,
it isnt easy to do on the benz because of the independant rear suspension.you have to support the rear wheels approx 4 inches off the ground to closely simulate actual ride height and still have some margin of safety.it is tough to find a safe place to locate the floor jack on each side and raise the wheels off the ground.block both front wheels for and aft have someone you trust get in the car and bring the drivetrain to the vibration zone and look underneath,you will absolutely find the problem area and there wont be any guessing.i have done this on many cars."disclaimer",this could potentially kill you and anyone else involved.i dont advise you to do this,a driveline shop can do the same task and eliminate the danger to you.but you will have to take their word for the discrepancy.
Last edited by AH1W-COBRA; May 21, 2008 at 12:36 AM. Reason: typo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Toronto
V12TT
It has to be a out of shape rim, you can't see the bend but the over all shape is probably an oval I have that problem with my front right rim i get vibrations around the same speed. Problem is still there with brand new tires.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 987
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 26
From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
Interestingly I just got a new set of 20's. New wheels and tires. I get some vibration. It is hub centric wheels. made by MRR design. however I'm using the ball seat lugs and the wheel is acorn lug base.
I balanced them 3 times and I still get some vibration. Im going to try the acorn lugs next them. I'm putting my stockers back on to see if it still vibrate. It could be the wheel bearings. .
I balanced them 3 times and I still get some vibration. Im going to try the acorn lugs next them. I'm putting my stockers back on to see if it still vibrate. It could be the wheel bearings. .
