R129 tip - steering wheel vibration

[dan1502]

When I recently bought my SL I was aware of a steering wobble but took the chance anyway. The seller said he thought it was normal scuttle shake and hadn't noticed but then that's no surprise as he was full of **** in so many things he said. Anyway, I changed the antiroll bar bushes, had the four wheel alignment done, replaced both front tyres (having found an egg in one, despite which the seller had passed the MOT on it) and changed the steering damper but it was still there.

The wobble was a side to side movement so I was suspecting something steering column related. Anyway I came across a single post on a forum explaining that there is a brace bar between the steering column and bulkhead just under the carpet section immediately under the dash and that the brace is often disconnected at one end if electrical work is done as it gets in the way and if not reconnected it wobbles like mad.

So I removed the panel and found that although connected, the bolt at the bulkhead end had presumably worked loose to the point where it was almost falling out. I applied a dab of threadlock and tightened it up again and all is good - no more wobble.

I mention this as it's so easy to check and makes a massive difference if loose so something probably worth checking as a starting point.

 

[Tattmaylor]

I'll keep this in mind. My SL steering wheel wobbles like crazy with the hardtop off and roof down, but have yet to check tyres, suspension etc. Thanks for sharing!

 

[BlackC55]

Shock absorber condition also plays a big part in this shake as well as a combination of steering and suspension component wear. Great fix by the way.

 

[Zonergem]

Can I just say what a brilliant thing the internet is?

Last year I needed my ignition switch replaced. Started to drive the car again recently in better weather and was alarmed by the shake in the steering wheel, especially since I have new MB top mounts and springs, along with Bilstein B4s. Thoughts of either doing a full suspension rebuild front and back or selling the car were in my mind.

Read this, thought A-ha, went to look and sure enough the little arm that holds the bottom of the column to a bracket at the side was loose.

 

[Tattmaylor]

Could you by any chance take a picture of this or describe where it is/how to get to it?
Thanks

 

[Tattmaylor]

So I moved my electronic adjustment for the steering wheel yesterday, drive the car today and noticed the steering wheel wobble was back, quite violently as well. I’ve noticed that if I adjust the wheel so it’s slightly higher than normal, and approx 1/4 out from the dash, the wobble *almost* completely disappears, until I hit a pot hole, then it shakes again. I’ve had top mounts, shocks, tyres etc replaced so nothing to do with them. Could it just be something loose in the column, and where would I need to look/take apart to find out?

 

[Tattmaylor]

I’ve lowered the carpeted section under the wheel and think I’ve located the bracket which does have a slight looseness to it at the end bolted to the column. But, I can’t for the life of me tighten the bolt any more than it is. Any suggestions? Not sure if this has been worked on before as there’s some orange markings on the bolt. See image

 

[Tattmaylor]

WD-40 for the win. Tightened up the bolt so now to take her for a drive and test the theory.