The steering column on my 1989 240 DL SW shakes/vibrates when I'm in first gear. Once I gain speed and shift into second, third, etc. gears the shaking seems to cease. I thought an alignment would fix the issue, but the problem persists. Would be very grateful for the collective wisdom and experience of the list.

How severe is the vibration?

How long has it been happening? Has it gotten worse since you first noticed it?

Is it violent? Does it feel like the entire car is shaking to beat hell?

If so, I would suggest it is a bad rear u-joint in the driveshaft.


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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

The vibration has remained fairly steady over the past few months -- not especially violent, but unmistakably shaky. The steering column shakes, but not the entire vehicle. I've had an alignment and tire rotation, but that has not alleviated the issue.

I have to think you're starting to have tread separation or a broken belt on one of the front tires. At low speeds it's more pronounced; as the frequency (speed of the oscillation) goes up, it starts to damp it out because the steering gear simply can't move that fast.

Swap tires front to rear to prove it, or just have your fronts balanced on a spin balancer, and any lumps in the tread should be immediately obvious.

Good luck!
--Rob
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89 244GL Turbo // 92 244 M47 \\ 90 745T // 76 242 Convertible

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your response. Before I posted this problem to the list, I had an alignment and tire rotation done, but that has not alleviated the issue. Still trying to puzzle this out . . .

bad tires, out of balance, bent rims, bad steering column u-joints, broken ball joint(s)bad tie rod ends,control arm bushings,loose bolts on the rack to frame, worn or loose wheel bearings.Drive shaft u-joints. broken trans mount/motor mount. Just a few things to check out.

Thanks for your advice; turns out that ball joints and tie rods need to be replaced.

You got an alignment and they didn't tell you that stuff was worn out?
Dan