We have a Mercedes ML500 with a 4×4 package. We have a vibration on the vehicle which seems to come and go whenever, though it does seem more noticeable when it is cooler.

We approached two dealerships and their conclusion was that all four wheels appear to be buckled. We took the vehicle to have the rims tested and were told that there was no problem with the rims.

Has anyone else experienced the same problem with their Mercedes ML?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on 27th May 2016 at 4:21 pm

I am not saying that it is the solution, but it’s a possibility. Check that the tyres are completely round.

We recently had the same problem on a Land Cruiser 79. The customer claimed a vibration on the left-front tyre, but there was nothing mechanical to be found. By coincidence we found out that the right front tyre was not round, and had a slight bump. With cold tyres, the problem is more evident, because the tyre is less flexible.

I advise you to go to the tyre shop, make a deal on a test with four new tyres, and if it is the correct solution to the problem, then you needed the rubber anyway. If it is not, put the old rubber back; and you are a lot wiser for a little bit of money.

[BorrageiroL]

BorrageiroL on 27th May 2016 at 4:45 pm

I owned an ML 350 petrol 2008 model. I sold it on 200 000km and I now have a ML 63 AMG with 190 000km. Funnily enough, on both cars I also experienced the same problem, which is more noticeable when cold.

My two cents’ worth is that these vehicles are quite heavy − approximately 2.3 tons – and when the car is left standing overnight, the tyres do tend to get flat-spotted on that part of rubber.
So, when you get going, it vibrates ever so slightly till the rubber is warm, after which you don’t feel the vibration that much.

It’s important to note that the mags do tend to buckle if you hit a speed hump or pothole, so it’s worth checking this when you do your wheel alignment and tyre balancing (every 10 000km).

I have two spare mags in my garage as I often have to send a mag for repair, and I frequently travel up to 5000km a month between Joburg and Swaziland.

I would like to hear if anyone else has had this problem, and how it was solved.

[vRensburgP]

vRensburgP on 27th May 2016 at 5:06 pm

I had the same problem with my Jeep after deflating the tyres during a trip to the Richtersveld. A Stellenbosch tyre company told me that the newish tyres had become “oval” and needed to be replaced at a cost of R12 000.

I took the Jeep to another fitment centre, where they re-seated the tyres on the rims and the vibration vanished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on 30th May 2016 at 9:22 am

I had a similar problem on a Jeep (I will never buy one again). It eventually turned out to be the balancing of the aircon’s fan that was next to the radiator.

If the balancing weights of this fan came off. Elenby’s refused to replace the weight, but insisted that the whole small radiator and fan be replaced!

After the replacement, I sold it and now drive a Cruiser bakkie. It works a charm if the dealer cannot find the problem… buy a thing that can work.