M103 -- symptoms of tensioner shock dead? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ps2cho · #1 08-06-2011, 10:56 PM

I have a clacking noise that clears up after a little driving that is coming somewhere on the belt drive system. I tried scoping in and I cannot really tell if the tensioner shock is the one making the noise or not.

I can't tell because when I touch it with anything, its moving up and down I can't get a reading.
Is a "clacking" noise symptomatic of the tensioner shock getting towards end of life or should I look elsewhere?

And also, can it be replaced without loosening tensioner device? I'd like to get away with not touching the tensioner device itself.

Thanks guys

glenmore · #2 08-06-2011, 11:44 PM

IIRC the common problem with the shock is not the actual piston of the shock itself but the rubber washers at either end. You might test it by pressing on the top shock bolt to see if the noise stops. I think the fix is adding a washer at either end. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

big dog 2 · #3 08-07-2011, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenmore

IIRC the common problem with the shock is not the actual piston of the shock itself but the rubber washers at either end. You might test it by pressing on the top shock bolt to see if the noise stops. I think the fix is adding a washer at either end. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

That is the correct fix! I read about it in another post.

I inserted another rubber washer on the top shock bolt two years ago and all the noise went away. I found the washer in my tool box! LOL! About a 10 minute fix.

ps2cho · #4 08-08-2011, 02:41 PM

Looks like that's the problem here too! Took it off, noticed some play horizontally and the shock still has rebound. Seems all I need is a washer also (on the inside of the mount).
Thanks for the heads up guys.

No more "diesel" clacking noise!

big dog 2 · #5 08-08-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

Looks like that's the problem here too! Took it off, noticed some play horizontally and the shock still has rebound. Seems all I need is a washer also (on the inside of the mount).
Thanks for the heads up guys.

No more "diesel" clacking noise!

Yep! Easy fix!

ps2cho · #6 08-09-2011, 07:31 PM

It seems the issue is that the rubber wears on the outside as mentioned earlier. I presume it wears due to small movements rubbing against the washer as stock, while the metal center guide for the bolt does not so there yields the gap for it to move.

What I did was found a metal washer that had a larger diameter than the metal center guide, so it sits directly on the rubber instead of on the center guide.

Voila! Glad to hear no more clacking noise when I start the car up now.

nelbur · #7 08-09-2011, 08:05 PM

Well shucks, I thought I had the easy fix for this problem, but it can't compete with a washer for "easy". I found that the rubber had come loose from the center mount and had wallowed out a gap. When the engine was cold it would rattle, and stop when things warmed up. I removed the top mounting bolt and spread quick set epoxy on the rubber and the center mount and slid them back together. Once the epoxy had cured I rebolted the top. Works like new.

ps2cho · #8 08-09-2011, 08:28 PM

Mine would be okay once warm too....who knows why....maybe the engine settles down once warm?

Glad to hear yours worked out too!