[MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
I am having problems getting my wheels balanced on my SDL. Have had them balanced, on the car, off the car, and with road force machines, but they still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. I recently installed a new set of Michelins as the road force balancer indicated it was the tires themselves. However after less than 1 year I again have strong indications at all speeds over 50 mph. I am currently returning from Florida and I have the car well loaded down with a lot of weight in the back seat and trunk, and was wondering if this extra weight could be a part of the problem, indicating something other than balance. Ralph, '87 300SDL '84 300CD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
Condition of drive shaft flex discs? Did the balancing weight (s) fall off a wheel? My thought would be return to the last shop that balanced them and ask for the re-balance to be covered under warranty. Perhaps the pain of warranty work will spur them to either do a better job or diagnose the real problem. -- Max Dillon Charleston SC '95 E300, '87 300TD, '73 Balboa 20 Ralph Robertson rare...@gmail.com wrote: I am having problems getting my wheels balanced on my SDL. Have had them balanced, on the car, off the car, and with road force machines, but they still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. I recently installed a new set of Michelins as the road force balancer indicated it was the tires themselves. However after less than 1 year I again have strong indications at all speeds over 50 mph. I am currently returning from Florida and I have the car well loaded down with a lot of weight in the back seat and trunk, and was wondering if this extra weight could be a part of the problem, indicating something other than balance. Ralph, '87 300SDL '84 300CD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
Ralph Robertson wrote: I am having problems getting my wheels balanced on my SDL. Have had them balanced, on the car, off the car, and with road force machines, but they still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. Most of my front end vibrations have been related to worn front end parts. Loose tie rod ends, for instance. Another possibility is out of round tires, or worse yet, tires with varying stiffness around their circumference. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
Could be a bunch of things singly or in combination. Front end felt through the steering wheel could also be rotors a bit warped, bearings, the belowmentioned suspension bits, rim(s) out of whack a bit, steering box probably easiest to isolate from easiest to more difficult. --R On 5/2/13 9:12 AM, Mitch Haley wrote: Ralph Robertson wrote: I am having problems getting my wheels balanced on my SDL. Have had them balanced, on the car, off the car, and with road force machines, but they still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. Most of my front end vibrations have been related to worn front end parts. Loose tie rod ends, for instance. Another possibility is out of round tires, or worse yet, tires with varying stiffness around their circumference. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. My vote is something loose that is not keeping the wheel stable, perhaps allowing it to wiggle our bounce and thus induce uneven wear into the tire that sets it in more permanently. Loose parts, worn shocks, etc. This assumes, of course, that each time (with new tires) it starts out acceptable and gets worse prematurely. Bum tires is, of course, #1 on the list. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
Worn spindles and bearings could also be suspect. Rotating parts are more likely to cause vibrations than non-rotating parts. Worn front ends are more likely to cause irregular tire wear. On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 8:12 AM, Jim Cathey j...@windwireless.net wrote: still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. My vote is something loose that is not keeping the wheel stable, perhaps allowing it to wiggle our bounce and thus induce uneven wear into the tire that sets it in more permanently. Loose parts, worn shocks, etc. This assumes, of course, that each time (with new tires) it starts out acceptable and gets worse prematurely. Bum tires is, of course, #1 on the list. -- Jim __**_ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.comhttp://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
That's assuming all the obvious has been looked at - shocks, steering linkage, etc. On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 11:52 AM, Brian Toscano brian.tosc...@gmail.comwrote: Worn spindles and bearings could also be suspect. Rotating parts are more likely to cause vibrations than non-rotating parts. Worn front ends are more likely to cause irregular tire wear. On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 8:12 AM, Jim Cathey j...@windwireless.net wrote: still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. My vote is something loose that is not keeping the wheel stable, perhaps allowing it to wiggle our bounce and thus induce uneven wear into the tire that sets it in more permanently. Loose parts, worn shocks, etc. This assumes, of course, that each time (with new tires) it starts out acceptable and gets worse prematurely. Bum tires is, of course, #1 on the list. -- Jim __**_ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.comhttp://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
Steering damper? -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Ralph Robertson Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2013 8:15 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL I am having problems getting my wheels balanced on my SDL. Have had them balanced, on the car, off the car, and with road force machines, but they still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. I recently installed a new set of Michelins as the road force balancer indicated it was the tires themselves. However after less than 1 year I again have strong indications at all speeds over 50 mph. I am currently returning from Florida and I have the car well loaded down with a lot of weight in the back seat and trunk, and was wondering if this extra weight could be a part of the problem, indicating something other than balance. Ralph, '87 300SDL '84 300CD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL
Supplemental: The 123 and 126 models (maybe others) have a small horizontal shock absorber on the steering linkage. In my 123, this damper lost all damping effect but it did act as a gas spring that supported oscillation in the steering system. This is an easy (if dirty) part to change and you can check it by disconnecting one end and then push-pull to see if it feels like a shock or a spring. -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Scott Ritchey Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2013 3:51 PM To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' Subject: Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL Steering damper? -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Ralph Robertson Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2013 8:15 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing -- '87 300SDL I am having problems getting my wheels balanced on my SDL. Have had them balanced, on the car, off the car, and with road force machines, but they still become unbalanced quickly. I am assuming it is the balance as the wobble/vibration is felt in the steering wheel mostly. What else would cause this other than balancing. I recently installed a new set of Michelins as the road force balancer indicated it was the tires themselves. However after less than 1 year I again have strong indications at all speeds over 50 mph. I am currently returning from Florida and I have the car well loaded down with a lot of weight in the back seat and trunk, and was wondering if this extra weight could be a part of the problem, indicating something other than balance. Ralph, '87 300SDL '84 300CD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
While I have a great Indie, I have always used the MB dealer for allignment and wheel balancing, Costs a few bucks more but the job is always spot on and know they know how to use a torque wrench, etc. John Freer On 11/13/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 11/12/2006 5:32:46 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Being balanced, they could still be out of round, and the vibration could actually be more severe at 45 than 65. First thing I would do is look to see if they mounted the tires with the colored dot aligned with the wheel's tire valve. This is supposed to get the heaviest part of the tire opposite the heaviest part of the wheel. If they didn't do that, you got a rookie tire person, and a bad supervisor. Along with this, I would not accept a balanced wheel with more than 2 ounces of weights on it. Either get another tire or move the tire on the wheel to a position that requires less weights The road force balancing method is supposed one of the best methods but will cost you about $70 at say Discount Tire. regards, Jim Friesen Phoenix AZ 79 300SD, 264 K miles 98 ML 320, 146 K miles ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Wheel Balancing
What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Thanks friends. John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 84k Kingston, RI
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
I haven't tried Graspics, but on any other tire incuding Blizzaks, you only get vibration when something is off balance. Usually when a weight falls off, or if you get a buildup of snow, ice, mud, dirt, etc in the wheel. Levi On 11/12/06, John Peterson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Thanks friends. John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 84k Kingston, RI ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
Levi Smith wrote: I haven't tried Graspics, but on any other tire incuding Blizzaks, you only get vibration when something is off balance. ...or out of round. Or, even harder to detect, a tire has a hard spot but looks OK when you spin it in the air. I'd replace the front tires with the summer tires. If the vibration goes away, put one of the winter tires back on the front. If it doesn't go away, put the summer tires on the back. Shouldn't take too long to figure out which tire(s) cause the problem. The above assumes that your summer tires are still on wheels. Mitch.
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
I didn't have any problem balancing my Graspics. It all boils down to the equipment and user experience. The tire warehouse guys _should_ be using decent equipment and know how to use it well, since they do such a high volume, but that isn't always the case. They will frequently use the cheapest labor they can find, at a high turnover rate. I've gotten so fed up with tire shop experiences that I ultimately bought my own equipment to mount and balance my own tires. It paid for itself in less than a year with the volume I do (would have been quicker had I gotten the equipment before a tire place destroyed a $450 rim). Ultimately, if you are unhappy with the tires and the place you bought them from is the same place that mounted and balanced them, they should be willing to figure out what the problem is. Are you using the same rims that your Goodyears were on? If not, you may have a bad rim that is causing the problem. J.B. At 07:33 PM 11/12/2006, you wrote: What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Thanks friends. John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 84k Kingston, RI ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.14.3/530 - Release Date: 11/11/2006 6:53 PM -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.14.3/530 - Release Date: 11/11/2006 6:53 PM
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
There should be NO vibration..Take it back and have them rebalance the tires. Sounds like they had someone who was in a hurry and didn't balance a tire right or at all. Mike - Original Message - From: Levi Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 8:52 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing I haven't tried Graspics, but on any other tire incuding Blizzaks, you only get vibration when something is off balance. Usually when a weight falls off, or if you get a buildup of snow, ice, mud, dirt, etc in the wheel. Levi On 11/12/06, John Peterson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Thanks friends. John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 84k Kingston, RI ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
I agree with checking it out but make the tire shop do it while you supervise...They owe you one. Mike - Original Message - From: Mitch Haley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 9:25 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing Levi Smith wrote: I haven't tried Graspics, but on any other tire incuding Blizzaks, you only get vibration when something is off balance. ...or out of round. Or, even harder to detect, a tire has a hard spot but looks OK when you spin it in the air. I'd replace the front tires with the summer tires. If the vibration goes away, put one of the winter tires back on the front. If it doesn't go away, put the summer tires on the back. Shouldn't take too long to figure out which tire(s) cause the problem. The above assumes that your summer tires are still on wheels. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
Thanks for all the input. They are mounted on the same rims the Goodyears were on. I should say that when I bought the Goodyears, the original installer couldn't get it right- they always vibrated. But when the car was at the MB dealership for something else, I asked them to balance them, which they did, free of charge. Guess what? They solved it. I'm thinking that I need to bring it to the MB dealership- the tire stores might not have the quality of employee willing to do it correctly. John Peterson J.B. Hebert wrote: I didn't have any problem balancing my Graspics. It all boils down to the equipment and user experience. The tire warehouse guys _should_ be using decent equipment and know how to use it well, since they do such a high volume, but that isn't always the case. They will frequently use the cheapest labor they can find, at a high turnover rate. I've gotten so fed up with tire shop experiences that I ultimately bought my own equipment to mount and balance my own tires. It paid for itself in less than a year with the volume I do (would have been quicker had I gotten the equipment before a tire place destroyed a $450 rim). Ultimately, if you are unhappy with the tires and the place you bought them from is the same place that mounted and balanced them, they should be willing to figure out what the problem is. Are you using the same rims that your Goodyears were on? If not, you may have a bad rim that is causing the problem. J.B. At 07:33 PM 11/12/2006, you wrote: What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Thanks friends. John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 84k Kingston, RI ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.14.3/530 - Release Date: 11/11/2006 6:53 PM
Re: [MBZ] Wheel Balancing
In a message dated 11/12/2006 5:32:46 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What experience are you having with wheel balancing- I brought my 300D in for snow tires and they put 4 Dunlop Graspics on the car. The car, in nice weather, has Goodyear Triple Treads. When the Goodyears were on the car, there was absolutely NO vibration in the steering wheel. With the Graspics, it is notible at 45 MPH and annoying at 60 MPH. The Goodyears were balanced by the MB dealership and the Graspics by a tire warehouse. Anyone had experience with this- the Graspics are snow tires- should I expect vibration? Being balanced, they could still be out of round, and the vibration could actually be more severe at 45 than 65. First thing I would do is look to see if they mounted the tires with the colored dot aligned with the wheel's tire valve. This is supposed to get the heaviest part of the tire opposite the heaviest part of the wheel. If they didn't do that, you got a rookie tire person, and a bad supervisor. Along with this, I would not accept a balanced wheel with more than 2 ounces of weights on it. Either get another tire or move the tire on the wheel to a position that requires less weights The road force balancing method is supposed one of the best methods but will cost you about $70 at say Discount Tire. regards, Jim Friesen Phoenix AZ 79 300SD, 264 K miles 98 ML 320, 146 K miles
