Does your Interstate shudder?

[Paddledipper]

Sounds like a rotor problem to me too.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Airline

Could anyone imagine spending $150k on a New Vehicle that is out of alignment ?

And they don't tell you its out of alignment,so every mile you drive is prematurely wearing out your very expensive tires?

???

The need for an alignment is the dirty little secret of Sprinter based RV conversions. They all have this problem. At least Coach House tells its buyers to get it done. Part of the issue is the design of the Sprinter from suspension. It needs to be aligned at the nominal weight of the vehicle.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

The need for an alignment is the dirty little secret of Sprinter based RV conversions. They all have this problem. At least Coach House tells its buyers to get it done. Part of the issue is the design of the Sprinter from suspension. It needs to be aligned at the nominal weight of the vehicle.

Which means that for best alignment, you should also load it up with anything that you routinely carry before taking to to get the alignment done. Full fuel adds about 160 pounds all on the driver's side. Full water adds about 260 pounds, all on the driver's side. And so on, all of which can affect alignment.

[Boxster1971]

Exactly Protag. When I made my appointment for alignment at Sprinter dealer they told me to bring it in at the full weight I intended to drive it. Full fuel and full water. There is probably some range since obviously there won't be anyone in front seats during the alignment.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by clarklaflare

I'll propose something completely different than others have suggested. Bear with me:

The next time this happens as you've described, try to immediately repeat it. But, instead of using the brakes to slow your speed, just allow the van to coast without touching the brakes until you reach the targeted 30-40 miles per hour.

If and when the symptoms reoccur, immediately (you'll have to be quick) bump the gear shift lever to the left (D-) one time to manually downshift the transmission to 4th. At this point, if the shuddering stops, you'll know the issue is not brake or alignment related and most likely related to the transmission torque converter.

It's hard to say if there's a legitimate problem or just that the operating conditions during the usual occurrence are such that the torque converter is in a partial unlock state when the transmission begins to automatically downshift from 5th. I have on occasion noticed something similar with my 3500 Sprinter when towing a loaded car hauler.

The "grinding" noise is difficult to interpret without actually experiencing it, but may just be drive-line noise as a reaction to the shuttering. It seems to me that if the problem was actually a mechanical grinding and something with the brakes, alignment, or wheel bearings, there would be obvious external evidence of the problem. Any vehicle mechanic should be able to see it.

If the diagnosis I've suggested pans out, I'd suggest explaining the results to an MB Sprinter dealer and try to get them to not blow you off. From the sounds of your prior experience, this may require a trip to Nashville, ???, or a call to MB Customer Assistance.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

I had never thought about this until reading the thread, and then having my van on the road yesterday for about a 100 mile round-trip.

i DID notice a shudder, and I would say it was exactly when the trans was down-shifting at between 45-55 mph, e.g. when I was forced to slow considerably in traffic on the interstate after previously cruising ~ 60mph (this is from memory as I wasn't tracking conditions perfectly). First I thought I was hitting a rough patch of road, but then I started noticing it a little more occasionally, probably because I was sensitized to it by this thread.

I"ve never noticed a grinding noise, and I realize I've been subconsciously just assuming it was relating to torque and downshifting, as if I was driving a manual and downshifted too late.

I will go for an alignment based on the various posts in this thread, especially since I've just put 5K miles on it since new and plan to drive from Chicago to California in a couple of months. Is it warranty with the MB dealer by any chance?

[TomKirk]

Factory warranty notwithstanding, you won't find top notch alignment techs at any dealer. You need to go to an independent medium duty truck shop.

Look in the industrial section of town. Find a well-established independent truck shop in your area that services trucks like Isuzu NPR and Mitsubishi Fuso. Find out if they have an alignment rack that'll accommodate these trucks.

FYI - You need to do your own research. Don't trust the dealer to do that for you.

The thing to remember is this: Just because a dealer claims to service what he sells doesn't necessarily make it so. There are many things a dealer can't do (or more correctly, doesn't want to be bothered with). Alignment is one of them. Body work is another. Radiator repair, yet another. Tires, glass, upholstery, after-market accessories like electronics - the list does on. Whatever they can't do (or don't want to do) is subleted to other shops, whether qualified or not.

Tom

[Boxster1971]

True not all Mercedes dealers that claim to be able to service a Sprinter can do it correctly. We have one in Baltimore that just does not have knowledgeable mechanics when it comes to Sprinters. They messed up a simple fuel filter change for me back in 2013 during my 20,000 mile service that resulted in a flatbed ride back to the dealer thanks to Mercedes Roadside Assistance. I will never let them touch my Sprinter again. I now have all my service done by Sun Motors in Mechanicsburg, PA. They are the best Sprinter dealer in the eastern U.S.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[lewster]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Older interstates had a driveshaft shudder on deceleration. Check the sprinter forums. Yours is newer but who knows.

My 2011 has it too!!


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[kfrere]

Finally, I have some positive news to report.
To recap, we experienced a shudder at low braking speeds. At the advice of JC took to nearby Mercedes dealer. They took my AI in but didn't tell me they didn't have the rack size to fully inspect or to do an alignment. They did replace the AC compressor (which was giving me no problems) and said I'd have to live with shudder. Um, no thanks.

After a number of calls I found myself at Freightliner of Knoxville. Yes, big truck guys but also sprinter van guys. They did two things: updated the software on transmission module (wonder how Mercedes missed that?) and did an alignment. I have no idea if the software update was the fix or if the alignment did the trick. What I do know is that the van now drives beautifully (look ma, no hands and it never wavers!) and the violent shuddering is gone. At least for now.

Most of all I feel safer behind the wheel. Tech said van was clearly out of alignment. How hard would it be for AS to stick a piece of paper on each dashboard. "New owner, thanks for buying. Now get an alignment."



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[73shark]

Did they say what was wrong w/ the A/C compressor?

If the tranny has a lock-up converter, the software update probably has something to do w/ that as mentioned earlier by clarklaflare.

Still wonder about the grinding noise.

[Bobsprinter]

My new Fgrand Atour has a little over 1,000 miles on it and no shudder.

[kfrere]

The only thing I was told by Mercedes about the compressor - when I said "really, didn't know that was a problem" - was that it was "indicating" a problem and that I'd be back soon with it so might as well get it fixed while in. Grinding noise is now gone as well.

[73shark]

Maybe the compressor was going out and making the grinding noise. Surprised they wouldn't really tell you. Makes me wonder if they were running a warranty scam on MB.

[Slk727]

Agree with previous posts on alignment. I have 2012 AI. Your dealer is a numbskull. By all means, however, only have the alignment done by a sprinter technician at a dealer. More complicated to do than may seem.