Knocking from rear wheel when pulling off (W124)

[5907]

I've noticed a knocking / juddering noise when pulling off in my W124 estate, it seems to be coming from a rear wheel, might be the passenger side.

It never does this any other time, only briefly when pulling off; it rides very smoothly and quietly once it's moving, no odd noises at all.

Could it be a wheel bearing, or diff mounts? it's like something is loose

 

[britnordic]

Hi
just posted a similar item on the "bodywork" section, except mine seems to be central. Interesting that we're both estates and it appears just when moving off and in my case when engine cold.

Tony

 

[5907]

Hi
just posted a similar item on the "bodywork" section, except mine seems to be central. Interesting that we're both estates and it appears just when moving off and in my case when engine cold.

Tony

Hmm, Mine seems to do it both hot and cold, but only for about a second or two when pulling off. Once the car is in motion it's completely silent.

If I pull off extremely gently (difficult with 1st gear start and stiff throttle pedal), it doesn't do it.

 

[television]

Prop shaft is common for this, center bearing. worn engine mounts make it worse as it throws the drive chain out of line

 

[britnordic]

MMM you've got me thinking and that's not a good sign Malcom! Am I entering an expensive period? I read the other day that steering bushes? are regular replacements on W203, haven't had one yet and now possibly your post above!
Is ignorance bliss I wonder.
Apologies 5907 on breaking your thread.

Tony

 

[television]

MMM you've got me thinking and that's not a good sign Malcom! Am I entering an expensive period? I read the other day that steering bushes? are regular replacements on W203, haven't had one yet and now possibly your post above!
Is ignorance bliss I wonder.
Apologies 5907 on breaking your thread.

Tony

No not your car Tony, I am talking about the 124, yours will be a silly fault

 

[Bolide]

What engine, year and how many miles?

I would certainly suspect engine mounts and the front prop doughnut. Diff bushes tend to clonk once, not repeatedly

If there's a centre bearing on the prop that might be suspect, too

It might be worth sitting with the footbrake on and shifting the car from D - P - R - P - D to see how much longitudinal rear wheel play there is as drive torque is taken up. The bushes on the rear suspension links do wear over time, as do the leading rear subframe mounts

The reason to enquire what engine you have is that the heavier engines do tend to kill engine mounts

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[5907]

What engine, year and how many miles?

'95 E280, M104 engine, 137k miles with FSH.

Engine mounts don't seem to be an obvious answer, there isn't any vibration at idle or when moving. It all seems to be coming from the rear, specifically the rear-left wheel.

That being said, I don't think there's any record of them being changed in the history.

 

[television]

With the engine mounts you have to look at them to see if they have collapsed, if one has the the prop is out of line.

To check the center bearing, put the car into P and jack one rear wheel, turn the wheel in both directions and look at the prop shaft, if it moves to much up and down then the center bearing has gone, you also have spiders on the ends that can fail

 

[roofless]

the subframe bushes could cause it worth a look

 

[meanie]

Could be early warning of imminent driveshaft failure.

 

[5907]

I'm going to take it to a Mercedes specialist, this is beyond my DIY skills.

Will any of this be expensive?

 

[television]

Where do you live, and we can see who is the best