G WAGON DEATH WOBBLE!! (w463 g63 amg steering damper replacement)

[@iconam9283]

Hey Alex, I chased this issue down for over a year. Exact same symptoms. Did the Road Force balancing, replaced tires, and I replaced almost all the steering components hoping it would fix it, including the steering damper. My dad is a former engineer for MB and was involved in the design of the G back in the 70's. I finally just asked him and he told me that yes, replacing the steering damper will help, but the true issue stems from the CV's. I finally said screw it, and replaced the front CV's, bearings, etc. Well, the old man was right. No more steering wobble. Just thought I'd share with you because there wasn't much out there to go off of. Thanks for the content.

[@djzaki]

The steering death wobble is gone from 50 to 60 but my lady said she still feels like the steering is a bit shaky on hard bumps. Likely I'll have to do the cv like you said! Thank you so much! Sadly though my turbo seals look like they're seeping. So I'll likely do those first. I should've just gotten a g550

[@burlosurviorhills7321]

@@djzaki My customer replaced dampner and tie rods at another shop and still wobbles ... I suspected brake hose because he says ABS comes on while wobble happens and has New brakes along his list of repairs .. CV sounds great to me and sometimes elders knowledge rules...

[@burlosurviorhills7321]

Great advise and taken from a elder brother I miss my Dad he always fixed many problems on German cars and was very talented as well.. Maybe because of him being Italian and they love complexity.

[@iconam9283]

@@burlosurviorhills7321 that is definitely an Italian thing! My father was born in Abruzzo, Italy! 😆

[@djzaki]

You know I'll give it to Italians. Food, clothing and CARS! All great taste and an eye for design. My dad is middle eastern but he always told me, "I love Italians even if you're poor in Italy you eat, dress, and live better than the rest of the world". But the g wagon is definitely one of those gems that fit into this topic. It's outlandish, pointless, and overly capable... But how it makes you feel when you drive is worth the ownership. No matter how many issues they have... Which isn't really spoken about in the car world.

[@myroadtours6147]

I'm pushing 45k on my 2018 G63 and feel some vibrations in the wheel but the steering has an odd feeling to it. So I'm going to change out the front stabilizer shock to see if it helps. I'm in the process of blacking mine out just like yours, just need the brush guard and spare tire.

[@djzaki]

Try to balance the tires and an alignment too before! And I'd recommend the fox stabilizer

[@monicasmith936]

Nice to know..!! Thank you..!!

[@matttrudeau1]

This fixed the issue for me as well! Did it myself in 15 minutes! Huge difference.

[@djzaki]

I found that it works for around a year until it comes back slowly. There's an underlying issue that's causing the shaking; the dampener only dampens it until that too becomes worn again. I ended up selling my g before I could really dive into the issue. I've spoken to a few shops that actually change out the steering rack to solve the issue.

[@nssonsmotors2470]

Maybe it’s a part just needs changing every year or a upgraded one?

[@jbisschj7992]

Had exactly the same issue on my '15 G63. Dealer replaced steering damper and that made no difference. After a lot of troubleshooting they eventually took off the wheels and took a video of them spinning to show me the tires were out of round. I.e. there were flatspots. I replaced the tires and my problem was gone! Ps. I did try to rebalance the old tires but it made no difference. Hope this helps.

[@djzaki]

So I've done the steering dampner and occasionally I feel it slightly but it'd definitely helped. My tires are fairly new but I'm going to putt offroad tires so I'm assuming it'll just be bumpy all around. Quick question, have you had any issues with leaking turbos?

[@jbisschj7992]

@@djzaki Hi, no leaking turbos. But did had the camshaft position sensor cover leaking which seems a common problem on m157's. Mercedes just took the cover off and resealed it. All good for 15k km's now. Currently running 275/55 R20 Pirelli Scorpion AT Plus tires which I'm very happy with.

[@Diamond_Hanz]

Is that the cheap ebay black bash bar, or did u powder coat it?

[@djzaki]

It's oem! Had it powder coated!

[@recessionproof7744]

Hey Alex, how many days can the G63 stay without starting the engine? I have a G63 also and I'm traveling soon, that's why I am asking.

[@djzaki]

It depends on your battery! I'd recommend having someone start it at least once every two weeks or a month if it's a long period of time. But it certainly won't kill the car. It won't be healthy but if you replace the battery or jump it after a few months I'm assuming you'll be fine

[@recessionproof7744]

@@djzaki Thanks a lot for the quick reply Alex. I’ll do that!

[@myroadtours6147]

I generally only drive my 2018 G63 on weekends, its nothing to it to sit 4-5 days without starting it. I also don't drive in the snow and it frequently snows here in the winter months. Idk, I've probably went a couple weeks without starting it no problems. Anything over a few weeks and I would consider a battery tender to help keep the batter charged.

[@diaryofasummer]

Gotta ask the chat. How much should a 2003 g with 122k miles on it sell for? Sunroof motor is burnt out and the rear window actuator is broken

[@djzaki]

To be honest I have no clue. At that year and mileage look for rust around the front windshield and also rust around the door seals and handles. For 122k and that year I would maybe expect around 30k for a good deal. I don't dare touch My sunroof in any of my German cars. Really common for them to be broken.

[@grisa12345]

Steering damper will only mask the issues causing the wobble - the issue will arise again. How many miles on your G? I have 45k on my 2016 AMG G63 and it has the exact same issue, even after a new damper in August. Based on @ICON AM below, it's probably something else that's behind the issue.

[@djzaki]

I have 56 on it now I believe! Ooo please don't tell me that. I just got happy with finally having good steering. One of the comments below said it's possibly another part I forget the name

[@djzaki]

Oh it's the cv, that will completely fix the issue

[@Project2gen]

Do you have the part number for this?

[@djzaki]

Sorry I do not!

[@cedmob286]

I’m having the same issue , what should I do

[@djzaki]

I recommend taking it to an independent shop and recommending the steering damper

[@cedmob286]

Alright I’ll do that , so quick question. How much does it cost , I got a g63 2016

[@vvvuuy]

Nice work 💪

[@vvvuuy]

My G wagon too wobble,i don't know what to do

[@TheKillWizard]

It's all steering dampener.

[@paulwatson4650]

so you couldnt change thatb yourself or u dont have any tools

[@djzaki]

You need some tools but if you can find the right size socket and a power drill I'm sure you could make it work easily. I'll likely change it on my own when I switch to the fox setup

[@paulwatson4650]

@@djzaki GREAT I AM LOOKING AT YR VIDEO FROM JAMAICA GREAT VIDEO I ONLY ASK Y U DONT DO IT YR SELF THE $ U PAY TO DO IT U COULD BUY FEW GOOD TOOLS AND WHILE U UNDER YR TRUCK U C THINGS THAT OTHERS DONT CGREAT TRUCK I C THEM OUT HERE A LOTKEEP SENDING VIDEOS KOOOL

[@djzaki]

@@paulwatson4650 yeah you're right! The problem was I did not see any tutorial online but now that I know it's simple I'll do it on my own !

[@nosoupforyou425]

First, this is common with all solid axle vehicles including jeeps. Is also reason new defenders and gwagons don't have solid axles anymore. Second, Can be a myriad of issues as front axle components must ALL be in alignment. So, tyres, balancing of tyres, bearings, shocks, springs, alignment, can all be to blame. Steering Dampner assists but does not cause with the issue, but is not an expensive route Have had my gelädenwagen for twenty years now and has occurred twice; once was fixed with new tyres, balance, and alignment. Second time was fixed by new shocks. Both times mechanic was not sure. So the hunt can be expensive if allowing a mechanic to "solve" , remember JLR & Mercedes-Benz solved by leaving the solid axle. Ask yourself; how old tyres are, alignment since, how many miles on shocks, has it been serviced regularly......

[@djzaki]

Yeah that makes complete sense. Another person said that the damper is only a bandaid. The damper though was really bad, but I feel like the suspension needs a refresh because the tires, rims, and alignment seem okay.

[@nosoupforyou425]

@@djzaki tyres and rims can get off balanced pretty easily and is cheapest first look. If tyres have over 30k on them that is next - the gwagon is basically a stiff box of that drives, Making it fickle. Would not trade mine and plan to be buried in it... Just hopefully not in a rivine.

[@djzaki]

@@nosoupforyou425 do you have the g550 or the g63? I wish I bought the g550 instead. The turbos in the g63 makes all the plastics so brittle. I've done so much maintenance on it to keep it from leaking

[@nosoupforyou425]

@@djzaki have a 2002 G500. Is a straight up V8 and have 200k on it with no engine work. This engine has been bullet proof. I hate the turbo version...... Have you looked up replacement costs for them ? Simpler the better

[@Hmmm313]

Endless money pits……

[@djzaki]

Absolutely correct