W201 door "clunk" noise

[Greg in Oz]

I seem to remember reading about this somewhere as being a known issue with the W201s but my searches now reveal nothing.

Not a big issue, but in my '90 190E 2.3 Sportline with 225,000km, I get an occasional, isolated "clunk" noise from the lock region of the driver's door (RH front door on mine). It possibly also occurs on the passenger side although I cannot remember if I have heard it there or not. As best I can tell it is from the strike/latch mechanism of the front door rather than the hinge or stay of the rear door. It is not a rattle in that it is not repetitive. It is simply a single, occasional knock or clunk and I would be inclined to suggest that it tends to occur when the body is subjected to torsional forces (eg. when crossing humps or when cornering).

Anyone with any ideas? I'm sure I have read of this as being a known issue with the W201.

[MTI]

Search for "door check" and they are a common failure item at this stage of a W201 chassis. Replacement is a DIY.

[Greg in Oz]

Thanks MTI,

I have just done a bit of a search for "door check strap" but the symptoms described there don't really describe what I'm hearing (except for a few which seem to suggest a separate problem with the door lock/latch/strike mechanism). "Check strap" is what I was trying to think of when I said door "stay". I am familiar with faulty check straps and the "clacking" noise they make when opening and closing the door and I have also seen plenty that do not hold the door in the detent positions either (particularly on W123s). Can they also make the deeper "clunk" I am experiencing? The check straps on mine appear fine. They hold the doors as intended and make no noise opening and closing the doors. The doors still close with a single reassuring "MB thunk". In fact, apart from the noise I describe the whole car is surprisingly quiet for 225,000km, with no rattles or noises (except for occasional leather squeaks, the disadvantage of leather Sportline interior).

The only time I get the noise I describe is when the car is being driven. I may be wrong but the sound appears to be coming from the lock/latch/strike mechanism area of the front door (ie. rear edge of front door) rather than the check straps (ie. front edge of either front or back door). I am prepared to accept that it is the check strap if someone can verify that replacing it does indeed fix the symptom I have with mine.

Greg

[kramlavud]

My 94 W124 sedan has a similar 'clunk' from the strike area of the driver's door. Always 'clunks' when closing the door while seated, and occasionally 'clunks' when driven over irregular pavenment. Help anyone?

[dtf]

Slack in the cables/mechanism for the power windows?

Very odd but i got the same clunk from mine the other day once or twice and its been silent ever since

[Greg in Oz]

Since starting this thread, I have been paying more attention to the noise. It certainly only occurs infrequently. The sound, which is probably more accurately described as a short, sharp "NUCK" sound, appears to come from around or slightly above the door strike region. It appears others have heard it as well. Anyone know what causes a "NUCK"? I'm sure it can't be the check strap but I will stand corrected if someone can convince me it is.

[kramlavud]

Exactly the sound I hear from my 94 E320. A dull metallic clunk.

The MB E Class Owner's Bible says on page 326:

"Noise from plastic parts in the door latch assembly, near pivoting latch which roates into the striker eye. Lubricate both sides of the pivot point where latch rotates. Lubricate lock assembly throught slot in plastic housing. Use graphite oil. "

Didn't work for me.

Mark

[locry]

Ey, my w201 used to do the exact same thing. i moved the striker inboard a tad. it got rid of the "NUCK". when the door is not latched tight it shifts when the body flexes, that causes the "nuck".

just loosen the two allen bolts and adjust the striker.

[Greg in Oz]

Originally posted by locry
Ey, my w201 used to do the exact same thing. i moved the striker inboard a tad. it got rid of the "NUCK". when the door is not latched tight it shifts when the body flexes, that causes the "nuck".

just loosen the two allen bolts and adjust the striker.

Locry,
Thanks, I should give that a try.

Kramlavud,
I have the E-Class Owner's Bible so I will also have a look at what it refers to.

Greg

[kramlavud]

My inspection of the striker reveals no adjustment is possible on a W124. Hope I am wrong.
Mark

[Greg in Oz]

Seems like adjusting the strike inwards about 1 to 1.5mm may have fixed it. Thanks for the advice Locry. Obviously as the door rubbers crush slightly with age the doors are not held as snuggly with the resulting movement causing the "nuck" sounds. The front doors now have to be shut more firmly.

Kramlavud, to perform the adjustment you need a T-40 torx driver for the two screws on each strike. It is the same arrangement on the W201 and W124. Only adjust them inward slightly and take care to maintain correct vertical adjustment otherwise it is difficult or impossible to shut the doors.

Now I only have to decide if I am going to go to the trouble of adjusting the hinges for the rear doors to move their leading edges in by the same amount. Since adjusting the trailing edge of the front doors inwards, the leading edges of the rear doors now sit about 1mm proud. From memory, the trailing edge of a panel should always be adjusted to sit flush with or slightly proud of leading edges of the next panel. This is presumably to prevent wind noise.

[Holson Adi]

I think I hear the exact same noise too... I'll check it out tomorrow and adjust the striker.

Any tip on keeping the vertical alignment?

Thanks
-Holson-

[Greg in Oz]

Originally posted by Holson Adi
I think I hear the exact same noise too... I'll check it out tomorrow and adjust the striker.

Any tip on keeping the vertical alignment?

Thanks
-Holson-

When you move it, take care not move it vertically. There may be "witness" marks (ie. dirt) which may help guide you from the original position.

[spamboy]

I had this same problem and it turned out to be the hinge bolts getting loose. It turns out all of the doors were loose. Now everything is fine...

Chris