Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-20-2005, 10:45 PM
irieite's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 157
Exclamation Steering Column Rattle Feeling

This is not a shimmy or shake that one might feel with warped brake rotors or untrue/unbalanced wheels, but rather it feels like there is side to side/up and down play in the steeing colum when I'm making turns (mostly right ones) on rough roads.

I've already replaced the stearing damper and stut mounts. I can't make the steering column wobble up or down or side to side by pulling on the steer wheel itself, but when the vibration happens, that's exacly how it feels, like there's a bad bearing or something causing play in the steering column.

The car is a '91 190e with approx 190k miles. Could it be a suspension component causing this problem? Like control arm bushings or ball joints? Is this a common problem with this chassis?

__________________
2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-21-2005, 09:03 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: York, PA
Posts: 621
Could be idler arm bushing. It is on the passenger side of the steering system. Normally right under the exhaust downpipe. Attached to the steering mechanism and the frame of the car!
__________________
~Jamie
_________________
2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-21-2005, 01:37 PM
irieite's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 157
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to take a look at it today. That would be sweet if it's just the idler arm bushings.. I'll post my findings tonight.
__________________
2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-21-2005, 11:03 PM
irieite's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 157
OK. I took a look at the front suspension today. I found that I could rock the right front wheel, just a slight bit, when pushing against the sidewall at the twelve-o-clock position while on the ground, and while grabing the wheel at the twelve and six-o-clock positions in the air.

I checked the wheel bearing for proper adjustment (it had never been touched in 190k mi) and it wasn't far enough off to make a real difference. So I suspect it must be the lower ball joint. Again, the strut mounts are new and tight.

I did go ahead and replace the idler arm bushings, since they had never been replaced and I already had them on hand (plus it's a cake job on these 2.3 litre cars ) That seemed to have tightend up the steering just a bit, but did not solve my original problem.

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to R&R the lower ball joints without removing the entire lower control arm? I'd like to advoid having to take her in for an alignment if possible.
__________________
2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-22-2005, 03:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 700
It is possible, but it's not preatty. Need a chain or spring compressors to keep the spring in place, else it will just fly away killing anything and anyone it's path.

I have not done this yet myself, but I'm getting ready to, so as far as I know this is how it goes.

lift car, compress spring, or tie it down, lower the control arm on some wooden blocks if not using a spring compressor so it stays in place. detach the steering knuckle from the ball joint, remove the entire strut assembly if not enough room for clearance, and either use a hammer to get the ball joint out, or a press, you can get a press in a store like princess auto.

I'm waiting for aspring compressor before I try this, I don't trust springs that much.

xp190
__________________
1985 190E 2.3L - a constant project.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-22-2005, 05:45 PM
irieite's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 157
The spring compessor idea sounds good. Please let me know how this works out for you. I want to fix this soon, before something breaks.
__________________
2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-22-2005, 06:48 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 700
There are posts by other members who have done this alread, that's how I found out how it can be done, but if you want my feedback, it might be a week or two before I get to it since I plan on doing the control arm bushings as well, I got a spring compressor from a friend, now just the press from princess auto, ball joints are waiting on the shelf, after that it's just time to tackle everything and some money for an alignment.

Cheers

xp
__________________
1985 190E 2.3L - a constant project.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-23-2005, 03:14 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 463
Let us know what happens. I have the exact same problem on my 560 SEL with 113k miles. Have not replaced the damper yet, and will do so first. But the symptoms I am having are the same.

__________________
Henry Bofinger
1989 560 SEL (black/black)
2001 Audi TT Roadster (silver/grey)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
126 frozen steering lock/tumbler removal (fairly easy, but long) jbaj007 Tech Help 4 09-21-2019 03:19 PM
Steering column adjustment xp190 Tech Help 0 04-20-2005 04:49 PM
W123 Steering Column Lock Reliability Concern/Fix R Leo Diesel Discussion 1 02-27-2005 11:27 AM
steering column bushings AAL Tech Help 0 02-17-2002 11:14 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page