Thanks for the feedback! This group makes owning (and maintaining) the Benz
a lot more fun.
The car does not make the sound during braking or acceleration. The rubber
at the tops of the struts has a small crack around it at the top. I can't
imagine that that fine crack is causing the sound.
From the feedback so far, I'm thinking that I need to replace some bushings.
From Rusty's website: http://www.parts.mbz.org/ There are two bushing kits
I'm considering:
Front Sway Bar
L1049-36181 Sway Bar Bushing Kit Febi IN STOCK $15.45
Front lower control arm to frame:
L2040-34581 Control Arm Bushing Kit Lemforder IN STOCK $55.23
Here's the plan:
I will lift up the front end of the car and check the following:
1) Wiggle and inspect the sway bar to see if its loose in its bushings.
2) Put a second jack under the control arm and put some upward pressure on
it to see if there is any play where it connects with the frame.
3) Wiggle the wheels side-to-side, left-&-right, and vertically up-and-down
(in case I missed something the first time).
4) No one's mentioned motor mounts yet... but I will also check to see if
they are loose or broken.
5) Other ? ? ? ? ?
(I have a bunch of new parts sitting on the shelf in my garage that I
purchased online and didn't need... so I'm going to diagnose this one real
well before buying this time... :)
Bob
Murrysville, PA
Post by Henry KolesnikOn my 126 you could hear the ball joints squeak and groan when you got in
or out of the car. The compliance joints or track rod mounts are rubber
joints that keep the front wheels from moving back when you brake or verse
visa. When they are worn you get clunking on braking and acceleration. In
my 83 300SD with 98k mi the noise of both the ball joints and compliance
joints went away when it rained and water got in. And water is what
caused the ball joints to go bad after the rubber boot cracked. I was
quoted between $900 and $1300 for parts and labor by the independent Benz
shops. Seems like they all use the same computer program for time beause
times were within 20%, but different labor rates, parts were within 10%.
I was lucky as I recalled seeing an invoice in a car that I tried out but
didn't buy and they used Tulsa Wheel and Brake. I called them and they
did mine for their estimate a little over $400, including alignment and
that was July, 04 and it didn't take anywhere near as long as the others
quoted. Three long trips and 12,000 miles later I have no complaints.
--
73
Hank WD5JFR
Post by marlinspikeWhoa, i do on my 126. Is this the ball joints?
Richard
Post by Henry KolesnikIf the front end is anything like a 126 there are is a compliance joint on
each side and they wear out. Do you hear a clunk on braking at real low
speed?
--
73
Hank WD5JFR
Post by Al BoltonTry the anti-roll bar bushes - quite a common failing on these cars;
they
Post by Henry KolesnikPost by Al Boltonfailed on my 260E and made some horrible clonks!
Al Bolton, G4VSQ
1990 500SE
1988 260E FOR SALE
==================
Post by BobThe car is a 1989 300E with about 180,000 miles. When it runs over
small
Post by Henry KolesnikPost by Al BoltonPost by Bobbumps on the road, it makes a rattle/knock sound. It is very annoying
and a little scary. I think it is coming mostly from the left
(drivers)
Post by Henry KolesnikPost by Al BoltonPost by Bobside of the car.
I replaced a worn out drag link recently, and hoped that was the source
of the noise, but it wasn't. With the front end jacked-up, the front
wheels don't have any play in them when I try to wiggle them
side-to-side
Post by Henry KolesnikPost by Al BoltonPost by Bobor up-and-down. While under the front end I replaced the steering
damper
Post by Henry KolesnikPost by Al BoltonPost by Bobtoo. Everything got torqued properly.
Any suggestions on how to diagnose the source of the noise? Are there
some "bushings" that are known problems? How do you check them to see
if