Hey guys!

My crossfire just reached 100,000+ miles and running strong! I recently just replaced the brakes, rotors, and tires (mounted and balanced).

So my question is why do I have this rhythmic shake over the speed of 65+. When getting tires put on I was told that I had cracked my rear 19" wheel. Could this be the problem?

I also had a little incident with my car a few months back. My spacer (15 mm) broke and there was only one bolt holding the wheel intact, while the wheel was completely touching the wheel well. (Possibly what cracked the rim) Also the hub shield was completely touching the inside of the wheel as well.

What I'm asking for is, steps you would take if this kind of destruction happened to you. What would you likely replace after an incident like this? Shocks? Springs? Hub?

You guys are all the best, and I appreciate the security I have with my crossfire being connected with this forum! 5 years and counting!!

- Gdrag

 

What brand/model tires did you get? I bought Falken FK 452's and had a "...thrum...thrum...thrum..." that was dependent on road surface type. It would do this on tarmac, but not on concrete. Weird. I was told by a Honda S2000 owner that his did it and the reason given to him by Honda was "a directional tread pattern sometimes does this on short wheelbase cars."

I have not heard of this from owners that keep true to the OEM Continental's the car came with-only directional tread tires.

Hope this might be an explanation.

 

OK, did you try to mount an OEM rim/tire on the hub that went haywire? Do you have a set to mount on the axle that went south? If you do, this can eliminate all the stuff but the rim and tire. Good luck!

 

Gdrag,
I have a set of 19" SRT wheels with Kumho tires on them that you can use to test if you want... you just have to come down and visit.......

 

Now, there's an offer that's hard to refuse.

Mike-you're a gem!

 

Mike thank you for the kind offer!

OK, so here is the latest. I just fixed the rim that was bent/cracked but still have viabration. The car was lowered 80,000 miles ago. Do you guys think its any of the joints that are causing the problem?

Or maybe wheel bearings need to be replaced?

 

I had this once and it was the drive shaft that was out of balance.
I'd check it and the flexible disks etc that are in the drive train.

 

Hey OneHundred,

thanks for the quick reply!

Where is the drive shaft located? I'm a newbie when it comes to car part terms.

This is what I found from google:

03 2003 Mercedes SLK320 Driveshaft Support - Driveshaft & Axle - Vaico - PartsGeek

Where is this part located?

 

It is that long thing that goes from the transmission to the rear differential and spins a lot.....

 

Most the time.. sometimes they can be found in ditches about 100 feet behind cars..

 

Wow, they need to bring back "shop class" in high school. My bet is with the wheel. Even though they supposedly fixed it, it can be way out of balance. Especially if they welded it. When welded, that added metal will throw a wheel out of balance and make it hard to be balanced again. Some shops are good at it, and some just aren't. It could also be a U-joint on the drive shaft. When worn, they will have some "slop" in them, causing an imbalance when spinning.

 

Ok here is the latest!

I tightened the support that seemed to be for the driveshaft and noticed a little improvement but the vibration is still there. I'm beginning to think it's my shocks? Some times the car bounces going around 25+ mph also.


What do you guys think?

 

Bouncing car..
quite playing with the hyrdraulic controls while driving.. or have that "fixed" wheel checked for balance...and true.

Also did you grab the driveshaft and forceably push and pull on it? You won't tear it loose no matter how hard you jerk around on it.. but if you feel it giving any then it's time to look into the connectors on it.

 

Gdrag, you can come visit me and we can check the drive shaft and test with my stock SRT wheels if you like.

 

That offer is going to be your best bet by far! Then you can at least put those dogs to bed if the problem isn't found!

 

Mike's your best answer to this problem for sure....lol... Good luck Mikey...

 

Mike you are the man!

I would take the offer in a heart beat, but I'm actually preparing to move to Miami soon. If I find time I won't hesitate to call you, for sure! Plus, I wouldn't mind checking out that beast of yours!!

 

Having same issue with afteramrket 20's and directional tires of the cheeper kind but believe
the driveshaft is to blame. Please keep us posted as will I if the cause is found