Greetings, all. I have a '92 400e with 100k on the clock. I have spent some time searching archives, and got some ideas, but not specifics.

When driving slowly and turning left, there is a groan or whine from the front end, but not turning right. It starts almost at center and goes all the way to full left stop. I have-
-checked the PS fluid reservior level, it was about an inch from the top, filled it to about 1/4" from top, no change. No noticeable leaks.
-Changed serpentine belt, it needed it anyway, but no change.
-jacked up the right front end, turned wheel full lock to left, no noise, and rotating the wheel produced no noise. Nothing appeared to be rubbing.
-With front right wheel at left full lock, there seems to be <1" slop in the wheel side to side, didn't check top to bottom play yet.

This weekend I intend to-
-lift entire front end onto jackstands, and turn wheels lock to lock under power.
-Check out ball joints, I don't know how much I will be able to tell.

Do power steering pumps or boxes wear out, ou usually just leak from front seals? This car has had a couple of PS pumps in <100K miles. With W119 in 124 chassis, I really don't look forward to mucking about with the PS pump if I don't have to. Anything else I can do to isolate the problem? My wife is fearful of having the thing sieze up on her in heavy interstate traffic.

Your collective wisdom has enabled me to drive not one but 2 124's. Thanks for the guidance!

needs to be addressed. it prob is either the tie rod ends or the idler arm. you said right side right? dont know about the groaning but i suppose something could be rubbing with the loosness.

good luck.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

We had a similar problem in the 300e. We found the noise to be in the idler arm bushings. We lubricated the bushings as a stop gap for a few weeks until we can re-do the bushings.

This may not be your problem, but it might be a place to start.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I have over 220k miles in my 92 400E. These power steering pumps love to leak. The shaft on mine recently got so bad that I had to replace the whole pump because it wouldn't seal.

Regarding the noise. If you have an inch of slop in the steering there is something worth checking out there, but there is something about the 92 front brakes that they changed in 93 to fix a low speed groaning noise when turning. I'm used to the noise now.

Try this test to see if it is by chance the brake calipers chattering. Place a slight pressure on the brake pedal next time you hear the noise and see if it goes away immediately. If it does, I would lean much more to the chattering calipers being the source of the sound.

I understand the 93 400E has a thicker rotor and a different caliper that solves the problem. Me? the occasional noise doesn't bother me now that I know what it is.

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02 S500
92 500SL
92 400E (Sold)
87 300E (Sold)
83 300D Turbo (Sold)
75 300D (Sold)
74 240D (Sold after 20 years)

Ok, I got the car up on jack stands this morning.
-No undue noise when turning the wheel lock to lock. Everything seems tight.
-No leaks from the steering box or pump.
-Checked wheel play both side to side and top to bottom, seems tight. Previous check was probably moving the steering train.
-Had my son drive the car around in circles on a quiet cul-du-sac. Still a loud hum or whine while turning left, almost like a bad note on a violin, not a thump or grind.
-Braking has no effect, so I am assuming it's not chattering brakes.
-The noise has a definite relation to wheel rotation speed. It makes noise throughout the wheel rotation, not just at one spot, so I assume it's not the calipers hitting something.
-Noise continued while holding a fixed steering wheel position, so I assume it's not pittman arm, idler arm or ball joint related.

Anyone have this noise before? Know of any further tests to isolate the problem? Who would be the correct specialist to take this to? Dealership? Front end place? Brake place?

Thanks for all the responses!

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Arctic white '90 300e 150K
Arctic white '92 400e 100K
'94 Suburban 4x4 diesel, 150K

Yes, my E420 has made the same noise. It was especially bad at low speeds on cold days.

Check your front struts (or have them checked). At least in my case, one of the struts was leaking oil and had to be replaced.

Good luck,
-DM

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1995 E420 SE black/black
2004 Volvo V70R AWD