Nasty banging sound from W123 - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barry123400 · #16 02-24-2008, 05:25 PM

The cv joint in question may not be truly bad yet as it can still run quiet. But impossible to get lubricant level checked in there with axel on car. Thats why I suggested adding a little as a test.
It has been reported a few times for a cv joint to be really low on lubricant with no obvious point of leakage. Perhaps at one time an axel was installed on the car with very little lubricant for example. If you continue driving with a pretty dry joint at some point it will be beyond adding a little oil to fix it. I would add lubricant on one side. Drive and check if problem not gone then add to the other. That way you will know the side that had the issue as well.

spugeddy · #17 02-24-2008, 09:05 PM

I would still guess CV axle...I don't think you can diagnose without taking one off, or removing the boot area....for a visual inspection....

If it is one side, and the noise stops when you come off the accelerator, I would say that was exactly what mine did when my CV started to go... It gets worse as time goes by, and my boot was torn, so crap got in there, especially when it rained, and made it worse and more frequent...

Do you know if they have ever been replaced, and #2 the remanufactured ones might last about 2-3 years right guys??? The new ones are high $$$.

cantabridgian · #18 03-17-2008, 11:14 AM

The right side was replaced last August with a used axle; it was in excellent condition. The banging condition returned fairly soon thereafter (maybe it never went away). My mechanic is still insisting that all areas of concern addressed above are OK. I still don't believe him. Coming back from VT on a 175-mile trip yesterday, banging started about 60 miles after my second stop (about 150 miles into the trip). I did some more testing. Accelerator = nasty banging. No accelerator = beautiful silence, just coasting. Accelerator while touching brakes = same nasty banging. No accelerator w/brakes = no noises or problems. Shifting into neutral at highway speed and applying accelerator to about 3000rpm = no nasty banging at all. So it's gotta be a part that moves mainly when applying the gas, right??

ImBroke · #19 03-17-2008, 12:57 PM

If the torque convertor has a crack in the shaft, it'll bang like crazy during acceleration. Not sure if it does it cold or not, it's been a while since I've had one that did that.

rrgrassi · #20 03-17-2008, 02:39 PM

Used half shafts are usually a roll of the dice, as are McParts rebuilds. CVJ in Denver has a really good reputation for this type half shaft. Also, check the center support bearing and flex discs as advised earlier, and make the the driveshaft U joint is still good. The u joint is not replacabe. I had a shaft drive bike that had the non replacable u joint go out. It was new drive shaft time on that one.

spugeddy · #21 03-17-2008, 04:11 PM

I have read the same thing about remanuf. axles. I went cheap and bought a reman. from Carquest (only $100)

Yours is doing just what mine did (same symptoms and results) Bad CV axle was the cause....

it will come and go until it fails then it won't go....

you don't want that to happen.

winmutt · #22 03-17-2008, 05:15 PM

I prefer junkyard axles. $35 or less, even if it only lasts 50k its a 2hr job to replace.

my83300cd · #23 03-17-2008, 05:29 PM

The symptoms sound just like mine did- and a visual inspection of the boots said everything was fine. It started when I was going to the Cape for vacation. After vacation, the noise didnt happen too often- and I attributed it to my rusting out exhaust. This went on for about a year

What finally did it was the next trunk loading for vacation- it changes all the geometry, and the noise was really stupendous- people pointing, etc.
The drives boot was split wide open, the joint completely dry.

Try throwing 250-350 lbs in the trunk and then looking at the boots.

cantabridgian · #24 03-19-2008, 09:17 AM

That's good advice re:loading the trunk. With two guys in the backseat on a little road trip a few weeks ago, the noise was indeed "stupendous" (great word, 83300cd, I shall borrow it). So sounds like the axle & boot. I'm guess the right (passenger) side. I am currently vetting a new mechanic! I think he'll get it. He also took it upon himself to tighten the steering box, says it steers like new. I'll get it back Thurs., I hope. Last mech. told me I'd need a new box, but from reading this forum i did believe the existing box could be adjusted. Yay, diesel discussion! Wish i had space to work on her myself, but we're in the middle of the city, here. hoping for those hot summer nights to come soon, though!

torkq · #25 05-13-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesel don

My guess is a half shaft again, agreeing with the former poster. They can be erratic, but are generally the noisiest malfunction on the entire car.

If you get a chance to go in reverse for a hundred yards or so, see if that cancels it for a few miles.

Or, check the boot, like the poster encouraged, squirt a ton of grease in there, tape it up and see if that helps. At least it will help diagnose it

diesel don

I had a similar situation, poured a good amount of grease in the boot, and now the clanking is gone, what type of tape did you use (or would recommend) for a temp. fix?

rrgrassi · #26 05-13-2008, 06:04 PM

There was a write up here where a guy used duct tape to hold the CV boots together until he replaced them. I do not remember who that was...

BTW, welcome to the best shop forum TorkQ

torkq · #27 05-13-2008, 06:37 PM

Duct tape it is!

thanks rrgrassi, as you know I've been on benzworld for a while, but scooting in and out of this forum...