Steering "clunk"?

[Omaha 560SL]

My 1988 560SL has just developed a "clunk" sound that I can feel in the steering wheel when turning (either right or left). It only does this at the start of a turn and does not repeat until I turn the wheel the other way. There are 133k miles on the car and I suspect some connection point is getting sloppy. Any suggestions on what to look for?

[dugald]

Steering coupler?

[nobby]

Originally Posted by Omaha 560SL

My 1988 560SL has just developed a "clunk" sound that I can feel in the steering wheel when turning (either right or left). It only does this at the start of a turn and does not repeat until I turn the wheel the other way. There are 133k miles on the car and I suspect some connection point is getting sloppy. Any suggestions on what to look for?

Sounds more like tie rod ends. Easy to check with the front of the car elevated have someone turn the wheel left to right. It should be obvious.

[ericdee]

Does it sound like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L83-Uw96lWI

[meltedpanda]

if the steering is a bit sloppy , could be probably coupler , but you should feel that over bumps , straight or turning
tie rods or track bushings

[Omaha 560SL]

After watching the YouTube video on a bad coupler, it certainly does not have that sound or appear to be coming from that area of the car. It sounds like it is coming from near the front wheels and I can see the tire jerk slightly when it "clunks" if I have my wife turn the wheels right and left and I watch underneath the front of the car. I will look at the tie rod ends next - thanks for all your input!

[Cannibals84]

I just had my entire front end rebuilt: new upper and lower control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, new sub-frame bushings, center drag link, tie rods, steering coupling, steering shock and sway-bar bushings and links; everything was replaced except the shocks as the car rode well, was not sitting low and did not bottom over bumps. After a few months I was experiencing a clunk. Turns out my tires had worn unevenly and had bumps on the tread. Turns out the bumps were caused by worn shocks which did not maintain proper tire contact with the road. Replaced both the shocks and front tires - no more clunks.

[ericdee]

Originally Posted by Cannibals84

I just had my entire front end rebuilt: new upper and lower control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, new sub-frame bushings, center drag link, tie rods, steering coupling, steering shock and sway-bar bushings and links; everything was replaced except the shocks as the car rode well, was not sitting low and did not bottom over bumps. After a few months I was experiencing a clunk. Turns out my tires had worn unevenly and had bumps on the tread. Turns out the bumps were caused by worn shocks which did not maintain proper tire contact with the road. Replaced both the shocks and front tires - no more clunks.

Must ride like a dream now.

[Cannibals84]

Everything else being equal, my mechanic told me that the biggest difference maker in a 107's ride are the sub-frame bushings. He pointed to the worn shocks on my car. Even after replacing all the other parts I did not notice a degraded ride with the worn shocks. On the contrary, the ride felt great; it wasn't until I felt the clunk a few months later that I found out my shocks were worn. Now the ride is slightly stiffer but in a good way.

[Omaha 560SL]

I checked the tie rod ends and it was obvious this is the problem, as when the steering wheel is turned right or left, I can see the end jerk when I hear the "clunk" sound.

[nobby]

Originally Posted by Omaha 560SL

I checked the tie rod ends and it was obvious this is the problem, as when the steering wheel is turned right or left, I can see the end jerk when I hear the "clunk" sound.

Ta Da.

You can get away with changing them yourself.....not a hard job.

But barring measuring and counting threads an such....you might want to get an alignment afterwards.