I am getting an intermittant whine/vibration that appears to be coming from the driver's side front end. It seems to be exacerbated by turning the wheel, mostly to the left. It has been going on for some time, and is getting louder on occasion, and is now much more frequent. I can't seeem to get it to do it iat the tech's. We've checked the wheel bearings, they're fine, and the power steering pump was replaced receently, with no effect on the sound. Any ideas? Of coursse, the warranty recently expired. The car is a 92, has 128.000 miles.

TIA

Tom
92 500

I believe that that is the side that the power steering pump is on. These, ans you may know, have seals that leak. Even re-sealing the unit may only be a 30-60k mile solution, requiring re-sealing again.

So - your power steering fluid may be low - have you checked it?

It's interesting - the radiator has rubber flaps on the back to keep hot air from blowing on the P/S pump at low speeds or at stops. At higher speeds - these flaps open and allow cooler air to pass over the P/S pump (but the air still comes though the radiator). I doscovered this when changing my oil one weekend. It tells you what a challenge heat management is with the M119 / W124 setup (I have an E420).

Let us know what you discover.

Troy
1995 E420 75k

Tom,

Does the howling occur while driving or at a stand still? If at a stand still is it possible your belt or belt tensioner is going south? Not sure when you changed it but it may be worth investigating.

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Either your Ball Joint is bad or the front left wheel bearing, or both.

__________________
Zorin

'88 Benz 420 SEL
'79 Porsche 911SC ('87 Carrera Engine)
'00 BMW 540 Sports Package
'99 Land Rover Discovery

86 300E - Manual (sold)
88 260E (sold)
84 944 (sold)

Well, it doesn't howl (too strong a word, really) when standing still, the power steering pump has beeen replaced SINCE the noise started, and the first thing I had checked was the wheel bearings.
I will cheeck out the ball joints.

Also, I'm not sure if i"m imagining things, but it seems to make a bit more noise when making a sharp right turn.

Unfortunately, my hearing is pretty bad.

Any other ideas what it might be? What's the parts cost/ hours of labor involved to replace both sides, as well as any extraneous rubber, etc.?

Tom

More info? Is the noise proportional to road speed, or independent? proportional to engine speed? This input will quickly eliminate a lot of possibilities.

For instance, if it IS relative to road speed, we can eliminate ps pump or belt idler, and throw tires into the mix with wheel bearings, brake components, etc.

Steve

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'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7