limeypride

Hi guys,

I had the opportunity/reason to drive at medium 3-digit speeds earlier today and experienced a very uncomfortable degree of vibration through the steering wheel. Since my car has been lowered 32mm relative to factory, I'm going to restore it to factory height and see what effect that has. I also have spacers so there's something else to point a finger at.

In the meantime, I figured I'd ask here, too. I recall mention of the car needing an alignment due to the drop; I haven't done that because, prior to this, I had no reason to (or so I thought).

kponti

Usually, an alignment will not influence vibration especially at triple speeds (it will manifest well before that if that is the reason). Number one reason for vibration at triple speeds I have found in the E line up is spacers with stock wheels. I did not have ANY issues at all using the same spacers with aftermarket wheels through 160mph. But on stock wheels..... 95-100mph slight vibration starts to creep in.
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I have H&R spacers on the W212 btw

bobblehead

limeypride

Thanks.

I had them balanced by MB Lynnwood on Tuesday so I hope that's not it still. Removing the spacers is definitely on my todo list if restoring the air suspension to factory height doesn't help.

limeypride

Nod, that's certainly possible but a big coincidence if that is it since I just had them balanced for this very reason.

dav461

stealth.pilot

Spacers most likely.

limeypride

I've heard that before as I mentioned but I don't really understand why especially since the car already lowers itself depending upon the mode. Can you educate me on the reason why?

That said, I'm also told that alignment issues would manifest at far lower speeds and I have no issues below... a very large number.

limeypride

Well that'd suck if it is--the car looks almost pigeon-toed without them.

@anyone else with the spacer setup: any issues on your end?

stealth.pilot

The only other thing it could be is a defective tire. I once had an M5 which had bad vibration at 120mph Turned out to be a tire issue. However the issue was also evident but less pronounced at certain lower speeds.

CALBenzo

So are saying from the spacer design or an imbalance of the spacer? I suppose possible, but with the spacer being on the hub itself, and so close to the axis of rotation, you would need a significant imbalance I would think. For that matter then, the differences in the lug weights might cause similar problems?

kponti

Not sure why this is with stock wheels. But like I said, no issues with the same or larger spacers on aftermarket wheels

dav461

limeypride

The weird question/comment/grammar is all yours. I didn't ask for your specific type of help--nay, attitude--so reserve it for someone who did...

Yes, I paid more than $100K... to not do so on this car and MY requires you to steal it--what a weird question.

limeypride

Agreed--that's not clear to me either but it's a theory I'm going to have to test.

jdhertz11

Wheel balance issues will double in speed. Meaning a slight vibration at 30mph will again show up at 60mph, 120mph. When exactly does your issue become obvious?

Vic55

Dean, you have a similar set up as I do... lowered with spacers and I do not have any issues into triple digits. Now on my lowered and aligned Porsche Turbo S- I had odd vibrations in a unique wheel speed range and I had it properly road balanced again by the dealer and all was good afterwards.

It could be that your spacers were installed ever so slightly off (which I have seen) and at higher speeds you would get a wobble. A great place to see your wheel action is on a dyno since you can check all of them because they are still mounted to the car vs a balancing machine which does not incorporate the spacers. But since its the steering wheel you are getting the feedback from; the front wheels will be the first place to review.

As for the car lowering, you are 100% right. Benz lowers its own cars 15mm in certain modes but the suspension geometry remains intact which is not the case when one lowers their car with springs. Now because its sitting beyond that factory 15mm threshold camber could be affected further than what the factory has set up but I dont see any odd wear on my car with 1600 miles on it. I dont think its the alignment at all.

limeypride

Good point. If it works as you described, then I would need a Veyron or the like to reproduce the vibration at its next interval. The actual speed is around 130 I think.

limeypride

Thanks, Vic.

I already had the road-force balancing done and they did infeed find wheels out of balance but the problem remains.

I'm going to start with the list of mods the dealer asked me to remove.. which is, not surprisingly but unclear how relevant, the height... then the spacers. If it's still there after that, back to the dealer she goes.

2012 merc amg

I'd wager to say you have a bad tire or two. Might want to find out what the road force numbers where and also how much weight needed to be put on each wheel. Is doesn't take much for a tire to be slightly outta round and at those higher speeds your gonna feel it for sure. If that is the case the pro rated tire warrantee should help out I'd think.

kponti

Hey Limey, something to watch for. Does the wobble seem worse in slightly cooler temps?

limeypride

Good question but I don't think so--when it occurred yesterday, it was in the mid-70s (which is positively tropical for May here in WA).

kponti

I noticed mine in the 70s. In the 80s and 90...it is pretty much gone

jdhertz11

Then you may feel it at 65mph, which is 50% of 130mph.

limeypride

Nod, I'm with you on the math but, presumably, there's an initial point where the vibration becomes perceivable--we can't infinitely keep halving . In my case, I'm pretty confident I feel nothing prior to 130.