SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Car vibrates when I hit 60+ mph
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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2005 SL55 AMG
Car vibrates when I hit 60+ mph
My car is vibrating very noticeably when I get to 60+ mph. I took it to my dealer to check it out and they replaced the thrust arms (were cracked). This helped a little but the vibration is still noticeable. I just replaced my AMG 18" wheels with Maya MRS 20" wheels and the problem is now magnified. The wheels/tires have been balanced so I know that isn't the problem.
Has anyone else had something like this on their SL that maybe can shed some light on the problem?
Has anyone else had something like this on their SL that maybe can shed some light on the problem?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
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From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
Did they check the drive shaft?
Do you feel it in your seat or steering wheel?
Do you feel it in your seat or steering wheel?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
Sounds like driveline. Check mounts, if the engine/trans is not in alignment it will play hell with the flex couplings. Also have them check the rear axle flanges with a dial indicator.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
I think the wheels are the problem. I think the hub hole of the wheel is not hub centric to the hub on the car. Maybe one or maybe all.
You have to take all the lugs lose and feel if theres any play of the wheel to the hub.
You may have to buy hub centric rings.
Or you may have to shim out the wheel to the hubs.
Theres some trick ways to do it.
If your not a mechanic, you have to take it to a good wheel shop and let them work it out.
You have to take all the lugs lose and feel if theres any play of the wheel to the hub.
You may have to buy hub centric rings.
Or you may have to shim out the wheel to the hubs.
Theres some trick ways to do it.
If your not a mechanic, you have to take it to a good wheel shop and let them work it out.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
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From: Colorado
05 E500 4matic, 08 ML320CDI
Just becuase your wheels/tires were balanced doesn't mean they were done right... I had lots of issues with my Vettes wheels/tires until I had them balanced with a Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Balancer, which simulates road force on the tire with a large metal roller... If more than a certain amount of road force is sensed by the balancer, the operator is directed to rotate the tire on the wheel until the acceptable amount of road force is reached, which I think is less than 2 pounds... It's a possibility... Vibrations are a PITA because they can be real difficult to diagnose and no one wants to take responsibility to fix it... Good luck...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2005 SL55 AMG
I think the wheels are the problem. I think the hub hole of the wheel is not hub centric to the hub on the car. Maybe one or maybe all.
You have to take all the lugs lose and feel if theres any play of the wheel to the hub.
You may have to buy hub centric rings.
Or you may have to shim out the wheel to the hubs.
Theres some trick ways to do it.
If your not a mechanic, you have to take it to a good wheel shop and let them work it out.
You have to take all the lugs lose and feel if theres any play of the wheel to the hub.
You may have to buy hub centric rings.
Or you may have to shim out the wheel to the hubs.
Theres some trick ways to do it.
If your not a mechanic, you have to take it to a good wheel shop and let them work it out.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 222
Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
If you have stock wheels, try diagnosing it with them . But remember, they may be out of balance.
If you do get the car smooth, then try the new wheels and see if the vibrations start again. If so, its the new wheels.
If you do get the car smooth, then try the new wheels and see if the vibrations start again. If so, its the new wheels.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
One caution about "Road Force" balancing, it's not the end all on balance. They balanced all my tires (bought a new set (4) to rule them out) and wheels using that method 4 times before they replaced the drive shaft on my C body.
The new 09 S65/SL63 wheels I bought for my SL turned out to be defective (both front) and they were 6 times to the tire shop for balance, the last time with road force was "well we got it as close as we can, the left front wheel is bad" "the machine says you shouldn't notice any vibration" Bull S*** after two sets of tires on those wheels they still shake the steering wheel between 45 and 60 mph. So bad I changed back to my two piece until they send a new left front wheel. My two piece are like rolling on glass with 50-60% P-Zeros at any speed.
Good luck, you will need it ;-)
The new 09 S65/SL63 wheels I bought for my SL turned out to be defective (both front) and they were 6 times to the tire shop for balance, the last time with road force was "well we got it as close as we can, the left front wheel is bad" "the machine says you shouldn't notice any vibration" Bull S*** after two sets of tires on those wheels they still shake the steering wheel between 45 and 60 mph. So bad I changed back to my two piece until they send a new left front wheel. My two piece are like rolling on glass with 50-60% P-Zeros at any speed.
Good luck, you will need it ;-)
