Occasional Vibrations

[rmmchl]

sometimes the steering wheel will have a lot of vibration on slow speeds and at idle, but then at times it's smooth. Any ideas?

[jeffc280sl]

In addition to the vibration does steering take more effort at low idle?  I had a similar problem and I replaced fluid and cleaned the filter. No improvement. Checked the power steering belt which was tight.  

I decided to chage the power steering pump and that solved this problem and created another.  With proper fluid pressure vibration and extra effort at low rpms were not needed/gone.  I did develop a leak in the gearbox however due to the correct pressure and worn/low pressure seals.  Re-sealed the box and power steering is perfect.

Hopefully your problem is dirty fluid.



Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[rwmastel]

Is there any free play in the steering wheel when driving in a straight line?  Are there any noises (clunk) when turing in/out of a driveway or parking lot?

I ask because there are two little rubber bushings located where the steering column joins the steering box.  These deteriorate overtime.  One of mine was completely gone!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[J. Huber]

Could this also have to do with worn motor mounts?

Correction: I actually misread the question: I was thinking a general vibration at idle.... sorry.

James
63 230SL

[Mike Hughes]

Would the vibrations occur when you first drive it, but go away after you've gone a few miles?  Do they dissappear after using the brakes a few times?  Is your car parked inside or outside? Has it rained since the last time you drove it?  Is your garage damp?

Some of you may see where I'm leading.  The tires could be flat-spotting after sitting a while.  Or the brake rotors could have some surface rust on them from sitting a while.  The surface rust only would occur on the exposed surface of the rotor, NOT under the pads.  So the pads will encounter some increased resistance when passing over most of the rotor and then "skip" over the relatively smoother section where the pads protected the rotor from rusting.  

Either of these scenarios will cause a vibration felt through the steering wheel at low speeds, and both will go away after the tires have warmed up or the brakes have been applied enough to scrub away the little bit of surface rust.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[rmmchl]

there is a clunk sometimes when I turn into the garage or a parking lot. The car drives staright as can be. The engine runs good. when the vibration starts, the steering wheel vibrates.

[erickmarciano]

subframe bushings???

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[rmmchl]

where are the subframe bushings? any idea on price od these and install cost--time?

[rwmastel]

rmmchl,

After re-reading your original post, you say you have a lot of steering wheel vibration at idle.  So, you can be sitting still in your garage with the car running and the steering wheel vibrates?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[rmmchl]

the vibrations are at all speeds. At first I noticed it more at idle, but it does all the time. Engine runs good. It feels like it's in the steering. The steering wheel really vibrates at times. At other times, not as bad

[Mike Hughes]

Would a collapsed trans mount allow the engine position to sag enough for the rear of the engine to come into occasional contact with the firewall or something on the firewall?  That might cause a vibration that could be felt through the steering column.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by rmmchl

the vibrations are at all speeds. At first I noticed it more at idle, but it does all the time.

If by "at idle" you mean the car is not moving forward, as apposed to coasting down the road in neutral while the engine idles, then I would think it must be engine mounts, trans. mount, and/or subframe mounts.  If the car is not moving forward, then that eliminates bad tires, bent wheels, brake issues, alignment, and a bunch of other stuff.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[hands_aus]

If your internal rearview mirror vibrates you will have worn mounts.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto