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#1
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Clunk sound when turning steering wheel
Hi,
Lately there is a low clunking sound when I go over low or deep bumps. Not when I hit speed bumps but if I hit a pot hole. It's not loud and scary, but low and in the left front wheel area. The sound travels up to the steering wheel too, so I hear AND feel the clunk. When sitting in the drive, I can recreate the sound and feel by slightly turning the wheel to the right. Doesn't take much movement to get the sound. Steering box? Tie Rod end? Something else? Thanks!
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Ginny in Denver-ish 78 300SD, 265K (mine) |
#2
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its the bearing inside the steering box. Its nothing to worry about, its just getting old.
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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon 1979 280CE 225,200 miles 1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles 1976 240D 190,000 miles 1979 300TD 220,000 GONE but not forgotten 1976 300D 195,300 miles 1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg |
#3
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Carefully inspect the suspension, no need to replace the steering box only to find out that's not the problem. There is a damper there also.
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83 SD 84 CD |
#4
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I had a bad tie rod end produce the same symptoms in my 77 123. The problem was readily visible when I jacked it up and moved things around.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#5
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Sometimes worn shocks will make noise.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#6
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Check your engine mounts. My wagon would to clunk when turning left and going over bumps. Turns out the left mount arm had no bolt holding it to the mount!
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#7
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The steering coupler on the W116 frequently loses its rubber bushings. Check for it just between the column and the steering box , below the brake booster. If you grab and twist it, you may find some slop in it. I rebuilt the one I had on my W116.
Rick
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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??) |
#8
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I just had the mounts fixed, so I doubt it's that.
The sound only happens when going over potholes (down) and never on speedbumps (up). Does that help diagnose? The sound is getting louder. . . What does the tie rod or tie rod end look like? Thanks!
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Ginny in Denver-ish 78 300SD, 265K (mine) |
#9
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I agree with post #3. It's way too critical to guess at the source of the problem. Jack up the front end, get under there and do a complete inspection of all the tie-rod ends, ball joints, suspension arm pivot bushings, and brake-reaction rod mounts (I forget what Mercedes calls them). It doesn't take all that long and then you'll know what's good and what's bad.
If you do a Google search I'm sure you'll find lots of photos/diagrams of what each component looks like. You'll need a kid assistant to pivot each wheel back and forth in both planes (9 o'clock-3 o'clock, then 12 o'clock-6 o'clock) while you lie under the car with a flashlight watching for movement at each joint. Also don't overlook dumb stuff like loose lug nuts, loose wheel bearings, etc.
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'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means '99 Ford Escort - good MPG |
#10
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Yeah, like THAT'S going to happen!
LOL!
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Ginny in Denver-ish 78 300SD, 265K (mine) |
#11
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You really only have to lie under the front bumper to see everything. At most only 1/2 of you would be crushed if your jackstands fail.
Actually I don't blame you. Before I get under a car I put every jackstand in the house under there, like 8 of them.
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'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means '99 Ford Escort - good MPG |
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