rear noise on 500E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-16-2003, 03:50 AM

hi

i've noticed knocking noise from the rear only when driving over a big hole. as if there was something going free on the trunk. i've checked the battery and empty the trunk but the noise was still there.
the struts have been changed by the previous owner a year ago and seems good. there's no leakage.

may be SLS ? bushings ?

Michael · #2 03-16-2003, 07:45 AM

I've got the same thing going right now, and I've been here before. It's a strut.

I'm gonna check everything for tightness tonight, but I've resigned myself to changing the strut once again (last done 2 yrs ago).

If just once you hit a big bump hard, you can damage these things. And at $400 per, I'm a bit annoyed

Alain V. · #3 03-16-2003, 09:45 AM

Mine has been clunking for quite a while, and I know it is the rear shocks.

I haven't done anything about it yet, because I'm giving serious consideration to eliminating the system.

I've been thinking of getting a 400e steering pump, and just putting some adjustable konis for a 400e in the rear to match my fronts.

This will also make lowering the car an easier task.
I just have too many other irons in the fire at the moment,,,but will get around to playing with the 500 eventually.

Michael · #4 03-16-2003, 12:13 PM

Alain,

Before you swap out the suspension, consider this-my brother (who bought ACTACK's 600) may be swapping back to Load-leveling-his car's too low in back (& stiff as all hell with RENNTech springs & Koni adjustables). He's going from 1 to 3 bump pads, and if still too low he'll convert back (I have his tandem pump & all other stuff).

If his 4 month old pump becomes available, I'll let you know

Alain V. · #5 03-17-2003, 10:52 PM

Hmmm, I wonder what the rate difference is from stock on the rear springs.

I was just going to put adjustable konis, and stock 400e rear springs on my car, to start,,,then go from there.
I do want to keep the ride- somewhat decent since my wife uses it to haul groceries home.

aldedmon · #6 03-17-2003, 11:24 PM

Having driven my now converted 400E suspension , back when it was stock, I can tell you that the 400E with stock springs and Koni adjustables set at their softest per Renntech rode about the way my 500E with the stock suspension rides which is too soft to me . But having changed the 400E to Eibachs and putting the Konis to their max setting, makes the car just a little jittery(but not overbearing) on mildly undulating surfaces(like bridges). In my opinion, The best setup would be the Koni's set to mid level (F/R)and Eibach all around. Sweet, fun, fast. Don't forget the Kmac rear camber kit to round out the job

run.exe · #7 03-18-2003, 01:40 PM

Does anyone have any documentation re: the complete gutting of the (rear) SLS system, to include a complete parts-list?

I am considering this option, too, as I have had several "clunk-esque" experiences in the past 12 months...

RSVP / thank you.

PS - where are updated pictures of ACTACK's ex-RENNtech E60??? Michael: who/where is your brother, please?

Alain V. · #8 03-18-2003, 09:16 PM

Run.exe,
do you have a 124 chassis parts illustration manual?

This book has an "exploded view" of every system in the 124 series cars. There is a page in there that shows the complete SLS set up.

Basically, on the 500e,,,,the power steering pump is also the hydraulic pump for the system. Then you have the resevoir & lines/hoses going to & from the tank to the pump and then to the rear of the car.

Under the car you have the valve and assorted linkages off of the rear swaybar, the rear "cannonballs" and the shocks themselves.

One way to do it, is to just change the pump and rear shocks, and plug off all the existing hose connections- so you could easily go back to the SLS if you wanted.

Of course, after having owned a couple of 16v 190s,,,the first thing I did on those was totally remove the system.
I have a "full plate" at the moment,,,,but know that I will eventually get around to taking off my 500e too.

Michael · #9 03-19-2003, 07:42 AM

Tackman got rid of the SLS in the manner Alain suggested - everything is capped off, and he installed a 400E PS pump. RENNTech sold him 600-650 lb springs for the rear, as well as adjustable Konis, but initially the rear end was too high. So, at RENNTech's suggestion they cut an inch or so off the rear springs, and installed them with 1 bump spring pads. TOO low, and the car had developed some, er, weird handling characteristics.

The E600 is at my tech's shop now; he found a link that was loose that may have contributed to the unsettled handling. 3 bump pads are going in, then it's alignment time. Should know in a week its status...I'll keep the Board posted, and get my brother Tony to chime in once he gets a little seat time in

Alain V. · #10 03-19-2003, 07:51 AM

Michael,
YES one bad link can have a very drastic effect on the handling of the cars.

I see this quite often at my shop. Usually it is on higher mileage 124 chassis vehicles. (although, I have seen a few cars with less than 100k need a link or two replaced.)

All it takes is for one end of a link to develop too much slop, and then you have a car that will want to steer from the rear end.

I had one recently, that would actually almost change lanes on the highway, by just gently pushing on the throttle then lifting to coast. The customer's complaint was that his car felt "weird".

As a rule, you want to give all of the suspension links a look at every oil change interval.

ItalianBenz · #11 03-20-2003, 10:25 PM

You guys read my @#$@#$ mind. I just ordered koni adjustables today. Guys I'm sick of that floaty suspension. Everything is tight. I'm disgusted at this point. I've put soo much time and money into this thing. The ride in rear just straight out sucks.

I have 400E pump im going to rebuild next week. The koni's should be in next week some time. Im wondering with the H&R coils what kind of ride I will achieve.Im running 2 bumps in the rear and 2 in the front. I have koni adjustable in the front at this time. the damn front end is planted.

Lets not talk about the rears. Lets keep this topic Hot!!!

I will take detail pics in the next weeks to come

Good topic here guys.

Michael · #12 03-21-2003, 07:52 AM

Guido,

I don't understand why you describe the rear suspension as you do - in my opinion (when it's working right) the rear is stiffer than the front! I really wonder if you have something else going on back there....are your Nitrogen cells new (ish)?

So, does anybody have an extra right rear shock?

Jim's500E · #13 03-27-2003, 08:59 AM

Supposedly, the rear hydro-struts are very durable and not prone to failure...unless seriously abused or neglected. This is according to Stu Ritter...they commonly last well over 200K miles, with regular SLS maint.

I have the H&Rs , 1 bumps all around, Konis in front and I think it rides just fine (in fact better than stock IMO)...its no Porsche though (or S-class). It is common, also from what I've heard, that even the slightest worn rear link will cause some noticeable problems.

Also, you all knows this already but I'll say it anyway...the SLS also has to be re-calibrated for a lowered car.

Michael · #14 03-27-2003, 10:09 PM

James/all,

Stu is way off on this, or didn't allow for 500Es...too many of us have had this happen, period.

I agree the regular hydro-struts are durable; my 300TE struts are original and have 190k miles on them, and my bro-in-law has 250+k on his. However, I've blown 2 struts now on my 500, so cannot conclude that they are durable. I mean, I drive on the same streets in my 500 as my 300 (excepting the track, but tracks are smooth so what's the big deal?)yet I've blown 2 $500 500E struts. Not pretty. FWIW the fluid was changed in both cars every 2-3 years, so it's not a blown-off maintenance issue.

As much as I hate to, I'm gonna replace the blown one, once again, with an OE shock. However, I have a feeling this one's gonna leak at around 11 months and be warranteed....

ItalianBenz · #15 03-28-2003, 12:28 AM

I agree with all you guys. But when I took them on the track @ willow springs. They were just to soft dampeneing. I like a firmed ride. I can't acheive this with my hydroneumatics. I am goinng to convert in the next few weeks. I got the koni's and I rebuilt the 400E pump all I need is time.

If I like how the new ride is achieved. I might sell the the whole old system. If not, I convert back. Its just a giant time consuming experiment.

I think I wiull install all new bones. As us Mb techs call them the pushing and pulling links in the rear. Also for alot of you guys with the 124chasis. the rear subframe mounts wear out. I will be installing new ones inthe rear in the next month or so. I rec everyone to do this that is going to hang onto to there cars. Just like a must to do the timing chains etc....

Guido out

Yours in Understeering ah ha ha Mike gotcha!