w201 2.6 rear end noises - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 03-07-2007, 01:37 AM

hello everyone,

after an absolutely (and i mean absolute u cant get much worse) horrible weekend...life greeted me with an unexpected surprise to add to my already staggering amount of dismay...my lovely w201 190E 2.6 decided to show its age and start making noises in the back end. So i took it up to my mechanic's shop (my family has been going to him for the past 2 decades) and we put the 190 up on the rack...he determines that the noise is coming from these fellows:

which are relativlely cheap to replace had my suspension been stock, but my 190 is lowered and there for has adjustable camber bars..of what manufacture i dont know..if there are the culprit anyone suggest replacements?

however a good friend of mine who knows cars (not mercedes) but cars in general diagnosed it to be one of three things 1) the differential is going 2) the axle is going or 3) the CV joint/shaft needs replaced..

i found a part number on the differential but cannot pull any information about it...can anyone tell me anything about it... 124 351 0608..as far as i know there have been no modifications to it internally so i am going to assume whatever data is found on that part is true for my part...

now ive taken some audio/video of the noises hopefully someone out there can identifiy the problem and we'll see what goes on from there and what possible repairs there are..

Here are the videos...the sound is very apparent..it sounds like a loud knocking/tapping sound..hopefully u can hear it and diagnose...

I am also going to repost this on other MB forums I frequent...

Video 1

Video 2

Thanks,

Kris

slk230red · #2 03-08-2007, 10:17 AM

I had that noise on my '93 2.3 at the right rear wheel location. I had my wife take off in the car while I watched the right rear wheel and I could see and hear vibrations and movement. When I removed the right rear wheel and lifted up on the suspension, I could see play at the Sub-Frame Mount, Front. This is number 12 in your diagram.
I spent an afternoon replacing this item, (it's sold in pairs, both sides) and the noise stopped.
No problems since.

Dave

david s poole · #3 03-08-2007, 11:05 AM

i agree check the rear subframe mounts especially if the car is lowered.

jeff-abalone · #4 03-08-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slk230red

I had that noise on my '93 2.3 at the right rear wheel location. I had my wife take off in the car while I watched the right rear wheel and I could see and hear vibrations and movement. When I removed the right rear wheel and lifted up on the suspension, I could see play at the Sub-Frame Mount, Front. This is number 12 in your diagram.
I spent an afternoon replacing this item, (it's sold in pairs, both sides) and the noise stopped.
No problems since.

Dave

Are they easy to replace? Do you need to drop off the complete subframe to replace the front subframe mount? I have interest to replace my one if i can do it by myself. Any special tool required?

slk230red · #5 03-08-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff-abalone

Are they easy to replace? Do you need to drop off the complete subframe to replace the front subframe mount? I have interest to replace my one if i can do it by myself. Any special tool required?

I didn't have a repair manual to go by when I replaced mine so I'm not certain as to correct procedures, but here's what I remember from a few years ago.

You will need the basic mechanics tools and a spring compressor. If you don't compress the spring and remove it, it will fall out when you start removing parts to get enough clearance. I do remember someone mentioning that the mount needs to be pressed in, but I was able to install my new one with no problems.
In my case, I could see for certain that the mount needed to be replaced because the rubber bushing was torn and had separation. I bought the new bushing and just started removing parts until I could separate the suspension enough to remove the old mount and install the new mount.
I've done a lot of repairs to this car since new, and I can honestly say that this was probably one the hardest repair jobs so far.

Unless you feel comfortable removing coil springs and other suspension parts, you might want to get an estimate from an independent shop that specializes in MB repairs.

Good luck,

Dave

jeff-abalone · #6 03-09-2007, 01:46 AM

I can remove all linkage, rear springs and shocks without problem... I remove those before.... Just not 100% sure how to remove the subframe bushings. Hehe... anyways, thanks the informs

slk230red · #7 03-09-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff-abalone

I can remove all linkage, rear springs and shocks without problem... I remove those before.... Just not 100% sure how to remove the subframe bushings. Hehe... anyways, thanks the informs

Once I had enough clearance, I was able to pry the bushing out of the frame with a chisel/old screwdriver, etc., then tap the new bushing in place.

jeff-abalone · #8 05-15-2007, 07:41 PM

Finished to replace all 4 subframe mounts.... Don't need to drop off the whole subframe. Just do it side by side.

Totally spent 3 hours to finish all 4.

jeff-abalone · #9 05-29-2007, 07:22 PM

Replaced all 4 subframe mounts... just only quite 2 days, then the rear end noise again..

Today, want to repair shop again.... double check and found out the bushing on the rear wheel bearing carrier that were wear out too. I think that it is the noise come from . My car is 20 years. Most rubber bushings and mounts are gone...

Now, i replaced all whole rear end mounts, links, bushings. The car run much stable on high speed. Hope that no more noise on that rear.