zmAMG

Hello everyone,
I need help, can you tell me if it normal with the 06 sl55 for the steering wheel to vibrate while driving or parking when I rev up the rpm to about 2000. The steering wheel vibration seem to stop at higher speed (70-80 mph). First I thought maybe my wheel, I have stock 18" wheel. But then even when the car is parked, the steering wheel still vibrates alot at around 2000 rpm. could it be engine mount, flex disc?..........I have search the forum but could not find any answers. Thanks.

E500 Benzo

it would only be the flex disc if it happens when the car is moving. since it happens in park, i would have to say engine mounts (maybe even a misfire somewhere?)

FWIW i've had to change engine mounts in every benz i've owned, from the w201, w202, r129 and even my w211... and every time it's cured the same problem that you're having. i guess they just don't stand up to my aggressive style of driving.

try this... pop the hood, and have a buddy sit in the car and shift from park through reverse, neutral and drive. see how much the engine moves with each shift. it shouldn't be too much... dont be afraid to give it a little gas while you foot is on the brake too. if the engine mounts are bad, you'll be able to see the engine moving about.

alx

engine mounts. about time for an 06.

the engine mounts on all cl, sl and s cars are identical through the engine lineup and the 55 and 65 motors are very heavy - it almost seems like ze germans installed the 500/550 mounts and carried them over.... so they give up quickly especially if you have lots of hard acceleration and deceleration to load up the mounts.

mounts need to be visually inspected to see if collapsed. the test described above with the torque-braking is not a good one as _every_motor will twist under those conditions as well as a collapsed mount just allows the engine to wedge better and no (extra) movement might be seen. so... testing that way is conclusive.

zmAMG

Thanks E500 Benzo, Alx.
It was engine mount, front and rear. Replaced at dealer, no more vibrations.

E500 Benzo

awesome! glad you got it fixed...under warranty i hope?

sjcsl55

Another happy forum customer! Good job Benzo, alx with the diagnosis! It's members like you that keep these forums being a valuable resource.

photonut

idiot me. i would have checked the wheel balance first. you guys are GOOD!!

FLSL55

Labor on SL55 engine mounts is over 1k.

What does replacing the engine and trans mounts on an SL55 entitle?

alx

here we go again...

remove air intake/filters/anything that prevents engine from moving up...

jack up the engine an inch or so... (your mileage will vary depending on thickness of sausages... er... fingers doing the job)

if mercedes tech - remove headers (charge customer through nose for it).

if not mercedes tech - get grubby fingers in there unscrew mounts and slide them out.

put new mounts in

drop engine

done.

i think merc techs actually do it in two hours or so... if they have done it before... the book says it takes longer, but... not really. just the billing reflects it

a dyi with right tools will take 3-4 hours and 6 or 12-pack depending on if wifey is home or not.

alex

zmAMG

looking at Mb service invoice. Rear engine/transm mount replaced only .5 hour. does that sound right? My car fixed under warranty, so I don't know how much it cost.

Chris-W

Ive just ordered a new set for my 2003 SL55.

Recently Ive noticed some weird vibrations and the car just isnt its usual smooth self. It even sounds different like a wiring noise.

I took it to several engineers one who replaced the gearbox mount and that really improved things but it still wasnt right so Im getting the engine mounts done.

COnsidering the car has 45K miles and is a 2003 I think its about time and have been told 99% its the problem with the vibrations and wiring noise.

We have had a recent VERY cold weather in the UK and its a killer on rubber parts which have all been giving up! My brothers VR6 engine mount went at almost EXACTLY the same time.

Ill let you know how i get on.