New rims now I got bad case of shakes! Help!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: GA
1985 300d
New rims now I got bad case of shakes! Help!
Hi all, I'm a benz noob and I could use some help,
I got me an 1985 300d. It Ran somewhat smooth with only a minor shimmy past 60mph with stock 14" rims and well used tires. I hated the stock look and needed new rubber so I got some 7x17" aftermarkets. Now I have this earthquake of a shimmy when I get to about 50mph and sometimes 60mph. It is so bad that the car feels like it is going to fall apart! It is strange because somtimes it wont do it and run kind of smooth all the way to 70mph and other times when it starts to shake I can tap the brakes or let off the gas and it will stop the major shaking and let me continue to accelerate.
I thought it was the balancing so I put the stocks back on the front and keept the 17s in the back. The earthquake went away but then I put the 17s that were on the rear onto the front and the 17s that were on the front onto the rear and the earthquake came back. I can stick my head out the window and acctually see the wheel shake from side to side! Because I had no shaking with the 17s on the rear olny, I don't think the problem is with the balance of the wheels.
Now my question: Does it have to do with the size and width of the wheels or is my problem going to be the suspension system or something else?
I don't want to be stuck with those ugly stock rims. Anyone have any ideas?
I got me an 1985 300d. It Ran somewhat smooth with only a minor shimmy past 60mph with stock 14" rims and well used tires. I hated the stock look and needed new rubber so I got some 7x17" aftermarkets. Now I have this earthquake of a shimmy when I get to about 50mph and sometimes 60mph. It is so bad that the car feels like it is going to fall apart! It is strange because somtimes it wont do it and run kind of smooth all the way to 70mph and other times when it starts to shake I can tap the brakes or let off the gas and it will stop the major shaking and let me continue to accelerate.
I thought it was the balancing so I put the stocks back on the front and keept the 17s in the back. The earthquake went away but then I put the 17s that were on the rear onto the front and the 17s that were on the front onto the rear and the earthquake came back. I can stick my head out the window and acctually see the wheel shake from side to side! Because I had no shaking with the 17s on the rear olny, I don't think the problem is with the balance of the wheels.
Now my question: Does it have to do with the size and width of the wheels or is my problem going to be the suspension system or something else?
I don't want to be stuck with those ugly stock rims. Anyone have any ideas?
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11
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From: Fremont, CA
w251 - w124 - w201
have you atleast tried to balance your wheels first? seems you can't really start the process of elimination yet. i would balance the rims, then tires, then suspension. let me know how it goes.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: GA
1985 300d
They were balanced by a tire shop, but that reminds me, the shop's balancer was messed up and they used that stupid bubble level machine thing (do those work?). I'll go and get it done on a regular machine and see if it helps. Then again why no wobble when they were on the rear axel? Makes me think there is something wrong in the front stearing/suspenson or something. I'll let you know what happens, thanks.
Last edited by stuffdogg; Mar 14, 2006 at 07:59 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
What type of rims do you have? Are the rims made to fit a Mercedes brake hub of 66.56mm? They must be hub-centric? If not, they are not centered on the brake hub.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: GA
1985 300d
Ok, steering damper (shock) was 80% of my problem. It was totaly worn out. I spent $60.00 on the part and installed it myself In about 15 min! Wheels are balanced well. I use a local guy who has good equipment and I trust 100% and has perfectly balanced my wheels for years. I still have a slight shake that a can feel in the steering wheel at 60mph but nothing like It was before. I think I may have another steering or suspension component worn. Thanks for the help guys and please feel free to continue this discussion with any more suggestions.
