Help Grinding Sound
 

Hello,

I have a 1970 280SE, everytime I turn the wheels, I hear a grinding noise, It just started last week, I know its not the tires, I've had them for a while. Help, any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mangpo

Did you check the power steering fluid level?

No, I did'nt check the pw steering fluid yet, Now its doing it, even when I am not turning. Its really bad when I am going slow.

Thanks

Make sure your lug nuts are torqued.

I neglected to torque mine after I had new tires put on -- it sounded like my car was eating itself -- especially at low speed.

Can you locate the source of the sound?

Low PS fluid (ATF in your case) will make the pump howl, but that isn't really a grinding noise.

Check the belts on the PS pump/water pump, and check the water pump bearings for play. If you can move the water pump shaft up and down, the grinding is the water pump and it must be replaced.

Peter

What about a dragging brake?
Try raising the front wheels off the ground and seeing how freely they spin.

mine made the same kind of sound until I have replaced the hardened and cracked p/s hose. May be because of dried out p/s fluid in the pump when the car is left overnight or air that got in from the cracked hose.

Gast w109 300sel

Since it's on turning it's prob related to PS (see all the advice above) but could possibly be a bearing going out - you really should hear more of a constant sound. Dragging brake would just make the car pull to one side and grind all the time. With loose lug bolts, the rim seems to make more of a whack, whack, whack...., sound then grinding.

Hope my 2c helps...

Sort of a screeeech,,,,,, screeeech,,,,, screeeech especially noticeable at like walking speed - and perfectly in synch with revolution of wheels??

On my 280/8 it turned out to be rear outer wheel bearing on passenger side....... easily identified to one location by rolling down all the windows and driving the car very slowly next to a concrete wall that reflected the noise back at me late at night when all else was quiet.

Hi there, did you mention which end the sound is coming from?

I had this exact problem for weeks (coming from my rear driver's side wheel ) and no one could find the problem. Had the wheel removed and it was a broken stabilizer scraping against the wheel drum. Cost about $100 to fix including parts.

Good luck!

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230 W115

Thanks for all your replies, It was the right rear brake pads. For some reason the brake pad on the right rear were all gone and the metal was grinding on the rotor, but the left side was ok - about 80% still.

With seriously uneven brake wear, be sure to check for stuck pads or caliper pistons or possibly a plugged rubber brake hose.

Happy Motoring, Mark