W123 Steering Wheel Loose Bearing - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

imgolden · #1 10-19-2021, 06:08 PM

Hi All,

Here's a weird one, hoping someone has experience. When going over potholes, my steering wheel makes a clunking noise that I have isolated to the bearing inside the wheel itself.

I know it seems unlikely, but the sound is definitely coming from the wheel, and the entire front end has been rebuilt. Also, this steering wheel was purchased from a wrecked car so I wonder if the accident did it.

That being said, has anyone ever replaced this bearing before? This particular steering wheel is very nice, one of the best I've ever seen, so I'm motivated to fix it.

TIA!

EDIT: The issue was a slightly loose steering coupler hex bolt. Thanks everyone!

C.Doner · #2 10-19-2021, 10:05 PM

Did you replace the steering coupler? It sounds like that is the issue. The same symptoms were relieved when mine was replaced.
Did you use the entire steering column from the wrecked car? The steering wheel itself has no bearing. According to previous posts, the likelihood of it being the steering column bearing is slim.
Every post I've read dealing with this symptom has been resolved with the coupler. Although, the posts have gone on for a while because the symptoms do indicate something in the column.

martureo · #3 10-20-2021, 08:03 AM

I'd check the horn mechanism. I had a horn pad that had a piece come loose on the back, it made a clunking sound every time I hit a bump.

imgolden · #4 10-20-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Doner

Did you replace the steering coupler? It sounds like that is the issue. The same symptoms were relieved when mine was replaced.
Did you use the entire steering column from the wrecked car? The steering wheel itself has no bearing. According to previous posts, the likelihood of it being the steering column bearing is slim.
Every post I've read dealing with this symptom has been resolved with the coupler. Although, the posts have gone on for a while because the symptoms do indicate something in the column.

No I have not looked into the coupler, and the coupler is original to my unwrecked car. How difficult is replacing the coupler? I have average DIY skills, my biggest job being the front-end rebuild. Thank you.

imgolden · #5 10-20-2021, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

I'd check the horn mechanism. I had a horn pad that had a piece come loose on the back, it made a clunking sound every time I hit a bump.

Good idea I will check that first. Thank you.

C.Doner · #6 10-20-2021, 03:40 PM

You have the opposite situation as me. I did the coupler then realized I need a whole new suspension. It would be easier to do them together. You can either do it by taking out the steering box or removing the steering column.

martureo · #7 10-21-2021, 10:11 AM

If you're going to replace that coupler (and I strongly advise against it), put a locking bolt in the steering box and secure the steering wheel so you dont' lose your centered position.

The couplers don't usually make any noise and they don't wear out very quickly. Even with cracks in them they aren't going to make any noise.

imgolden · #8 10-21-2021, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

If you're going to replace that coupler (and I strongly advise against it), put a locking bolt in the steering box and secure the steering wheel so you dont' lose your centered position.

The couplers don't usually make any noise and they don't wear out very quickly. Even with cracks in them they aren't going to make any noise.

Ok good to know before I go down that rabbit hole. I'm still thinking it's either my column or wheel... we will see.

shadetreemechan · #9 10-22-2021, 07:49 AM

I am changing a coupler right now on a 115 for that same issue. The 115 coupler is different from the 123 in design, but it sounded exactly like a bearing in the column. I think because the noise traveled up the shaft.
The coupler can be checked visually. Its no rabbit hole, just needs two eyes and a partner to work the wheel while you look.

imgolden · #10 10-22-2021, 04:56 PM

So I am looking at the rubber in the coupler correct? Anything else to inspect?

vwnate1 · #11 10-22-2021, 11:14 PM

You didn't mention any play or up/down looseness in the steering wheel proper so I doubt the upper mast jacket bearing is bad, some times the 8MM bolts holding the upper mast jacket to the body come loose, then the steering wheel and switches will wobble a bit .

Other times the single bolt that holds the steering wheel to the steering shaft comes loose, again the wheel will wobble slightly in your hands .

I'm betting it's the coupler too .

Let us know what you find .

240D.Bill · #12 10-25-2021, 08:50 PM

I had the same rattle and even shake at highway speeds. So I set about a precursory inspection, studied diagrams, checked axial & radial play, and presumed the column tube bearing spacer was the problem. If you look at a revision list for the steering parts list you’ll notice just about every part including the column tube has been superseded more than once. Instead of going dow the preverbial hole I just found a donor to replace everything up to the gear. I can assure you just about every part is different and i would have had serious comparability issues interchanging parts.
Anyway after disassembling all but the shaft coupling at the gear discovered I was wrong. Imagine…
The shaft to coupling clamp hex socket had backed out. Always thoroughly check connections right? I’m a slow learner. Anyway I have a new to me superseded steering assembly and no more rattle. 😂

imgolden · #13 10-26-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

You didn't mention any play or up/down looseness in the steering wheel proper so I doubt the upper mast jacket bearing is bad, some times the 8MM bolts holding the upper mast jacket to the body come loose, then the steering wheel and switches will wobble a bit .

Other times the single bolt that holds the steering wheel to the steering shaft comes loose, again the wheel will wobble slightly in your hands .

I'm betting it's the coupler too .

Let us know what you find .

Correct, the wheel is nice and tight with no looseness in any direction. Just the darn noise.

imgolden · #14 10-26-2021, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240D.Bill

I had the same rattle and even shake at highway speeds. So I set about a precursory inspection, studied diagrams, checked axial & radial play, and presumed the column tube bearing spacer was the problem. If you look at a revision list for the steering parts list you’ll notice just about every part including the column tube has been superseded more than once. Instead of going dow the preverbial hole I just found a donor to replace everything up to the gear. I can assure you just about every part is different and i would have had serious comparability issues interchanging parts.
Anyway after disassembling all but the shaft coupling at the gear discovered I was wrong. Imagine…
The shaft to coupling clamp hex socket had backed out. Always thoroughly check connections right? I’m a slow learner. Anyway I have a new to me superseded steering assembly and no more rattle. 😂

Just so I'm clear, it was the hex socket on your coupling that was creating your noise? Also, what year was your donor car?

240D.Bill · #15 10-26-2021, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imgolden

Just so I'm clear, it was the hex socket on your coupling that was creating your noise? Also, what year was your donor car?

Mine is a ‘78, the donor was an ‘83. The coupler bolt was loose but i didn’t know that until i had removed most of the column. Was the sleeve worn? Perhaps but more likely my problem was the loose coupler. I did observe axial play but no radial.