Steering Vibration
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Steering Vibration
2007 S550 4Matic.#117123 built. With car not moving, when I turn the steering wheel to the left, at about 3/4's of the turn a very audible wheel chatter/wheel hopping starts. Turn the wheel back to the right and the same thing happens. It is felt in the steering wheel.
Kinda scary, plus this should not be happening in any car, much less a six figure one. Head mechs at two separate MB dlrs. felt it in the steering wheel and saw the wheels hop. Neither had seen this nor could say what was causing or what to check. Anyone had this? Thanks.
Kinda scary, plus this should not be happening in any car, much less a six figure one. Head mechs at two separate MB dlrs. felt it in the steering wheel and saw the wheels hop. Neither had seen this nor could say what was causing or what to check. Anyone had this? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Got car w/ 55,500 miles on it and three yrs. four months since sold new. I am second owner. I got June '10. Has done from when I got. Steering fluid at proper level. It has factory stock Continental 18" Conti's. We've chased tie rods, mounts on steering unit.
Here's the kicker....on shop concrete floor, spray soapy water under tires and it ceases. Any "friction" causes the hop. Dryness, snow, you name it.
Hasn't worsened in eight months, but still shouldn't be happening, imo.
Thanks.
Here's the kicker....on shop concrete floor, spray soapy water under tires and it ceases. Any "friction" causes the hop. Dryness, snow, you name it.
Hasn't worsened in eight months, but still shouldn't be happening, imo.
Thanks.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 205
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From: Los Angeles
07 S550, 08 Escalade, 08 H2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
I don't feel so alone.... What, if anything, have service techs said might be causing it? Mine was 117125 off the production line. Are the last digits of your VIN number in the same range? Knowing that might be helpful to us both in narrowing it down. No one else experiences this? Please share, if you do or want better explanation of what the wheels do. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
I have 4:30 Monday appt. with tech. We intended to swap wheels/tires to eliminate that. Remote, but we are desparate. He has a set fo 18" Michelens, which we will put on insteand of factory Conti's. The next thing done will be draining and replacing steering box fluid. I will reply, as to the result.
Any and all other help solicitied. Thanks.
Any and all other help solicitied. Thanks.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
I will flush system. Manual is vague on fluid. Says may use either Pentosin CHF 11S or Chevron/Texaco 9109 PSF. Mine was 117,123rd off the line. Hit soil Jan. 2007. Pentosin is pricey at $25/qt., plus frt. Anyone know for sure? Can't get hurt using Pentosin, do you think? All help appreciated.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Chatter/hop/aggravation continues, as it did prior to purge of old fluid. Frustrating.
Any and all other thoughts are solicited. Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 550
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From: California USA
2004 S55 ///AMG, 2007 E350
Fluid change would not help with your issue. I am thinking the steering rack has a problem, if you can raise the car and remove plastic panels underneath, have someone turn the steering wheel while you watch the steering rack move, Or just have your MB Dealer or Indy check it out, should not be a charge for diagnostics and estimate of repair at your MB Dealer.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 87
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From: Vallejo, CA USA
15 MB Sprinter, 14 MB S550, 08 Smart Fortwo, 04 Dodge Sprinter, 87 MB 190E 2.3-16
Every single Mercedes I have owned did that (116, 126, 163, 201, 140, 220, 221, Sprinter).
I think it has to do with the caster angle in relation to the camber angle (notice the weird angle of the wheels when turned all the way to the left or right) giving most if not all Mercedes a tight turning radius compared to most other vehicles.
I believe the tire is trying to grip the surface but gives, just like an earth quake fault line giving way.
Hope that makes sense.
I think it has to do with the caster angle in relation to the camber angle (notice the weird angle of the wheels when turned all the way to the left or right) giving most if not all Mercedes a tight turning radius compared to most other vehicles.
I believe the tire is trying to grip the surface but gives, just like an earth quake fault line giving way.
Hope that makes sense.
