Rattle in Front End
 

I have had a rattle for some time in the front end of my 300SDL. It has now gone to giving a vibration thru to the steering wheel. I jcked the front end up, and cannot find anything loose, front end alignment and those people looking did no good. If it is vibrating and I step lightly on the brake it stops during that time period, but nothing appears loose when taken apart. Any idea's??

Your brake pad anti-rattle clips are probably missing. Although, this won't cause a vibration, so you may have a problem somewhere else.

GregS
'84 300D, 183k
'90 300CE, 173k

Also, a vibration when you are driving down the road (i.e., no brakes applied), generally is caused by front wheels that are out of balance, or just old and worn out tires. A vibration that starts when you apply the brakes indicates you have warped brake rotors.

GregS

As I indicated the front end was looked at, and the tires are not bad. I will chack the brake clips, I am wondering if it is ball joints, or does Mercedes use something other than ball joints.

opprl
How do your Front end support rod joints look? Common problems on 126

Might also be the steering shock?
 

I'm not certain if the 126 has one as I have not looked it up but this will cause vobration ahile driving too if the wheels start to wiggle.

I just did the rear mounts for the brake support links/track rods and they were pretty straightforward and not too tough. 3 hours for both. It made a world of difference in my 81. I still need to do the 84 as it just rattles every now and then when you go over a bump or pull in a driveway.

Re: Might also be the steering shock?
 

Support Rods and EGR are the "mother of all evil" on my 126. Like almost all ailments somehow had/have/will have relationship.
Maybe I am loosing my mind:eek: Don't be a dummy like me and not get a front end alingment after support rod replacement:(

Two good suggestions, now I just have to see if they are there and I can find them. My real auto repair days are past, so if it is a hard fix I will get it done. Of course since the front end place could not find the rattle it might mean Mercedes and the big one. I will look to see if I can find the two different parts, just might be it.

Thanks

TX76513, sooooo, what happened?
 

Did you have a major after replacing them or what?

Did you count the threads to get them back close when reinstalling?