clonk at full turn either way and tire wear please help

[wolly]

hello
i have a 1998 c240 sport with a worrying problem. the car makes a clonk noise when turning full whether am turning slow or fast. i told someone to drive the car while i watched and saw the car was dragging one of the tires when in full turn hence the clonk sound.
i took the car for alignment and it was reported that it was dead accurate no adjustment needed. the bushes are in good order i have checked for shakes in the tires bushes ball joints shocks bearings but nothing seems wrong till you make a turn.
the tires are wearing out in the front on the outside due to the dragging. it definetly seems like one tire turns more than the other but not the way it should.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
When they tracked it did they use a 4 wheel system to do it?

 

[wolly]

wolly

yes they did they used the four wheel laser system. but everything was spot on. it only happens when the wheel is turned to almost full to full. the steering has play in it as well when in full turn but not when the tires are straight.

thanks very much for the quick reply

 

[television]

Not quite clear here.

Its normal to have play on full lock but none straight ahead,, if the problem is on at near full lock, this cant wear the tyres as you do not drive on full lock any distance

 

[wolly]

wolly

thanks for the reply. i actually didn't think it was normal to have play at full. i used to drive toyotas and they are rock solid in my country. they can take punishment and they didn't have play at full turn.
the tire wear isn't massive. the car has been like that, clonking at full turn for 8 months now. i have tired indys as well but no luck no ones seems to know whats causing the noise.
the tire wear is now visible as its been a problem for quite some time as i make a lot of turns. (small streets)
another thing i don't know if its any use. the back springs aren't level am going to replace them soon. its about one inch difference but its causing havoc on the back tires they wear evenly but quickly but didn't think it was related to the steering problem.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Although the rear spring height differences won't help I'm not sure that it's causing your problems at the front.

You say that you've had all of the bushes checked and that they're OK. I assume that this includes, botton ball joints, tie rod ends and lower wishebone bushes (where it meets the chassis).
That would only leave a fault with the steering rack itself. Could it be that it has been damaged (possibly a few teeth stripped off) by hitting a kerb whilst on full lock?

 

[wolly]

wolly

hello chris
thanks for the reply.
everything from the balls bushes has been checked by two different indys. the rack is connected directly to the steering box so i dont think teeth are used in this system. i think teeth are mainly used in the rack and pinion type of steering (manual steering).

 

[brandwooddixon]

I hadn't appreciated that your's is fitted with a recirculating ball type steering system.

Is the steering box firmly mounted?

What about the turn stops are they OK? I'll admit that I'm not an expert on your car, but there will be two points on/near each hub which will limit the degree of travel for each wheel. These may be adjustable.
Worth a look, check each side for comparison.

Also worth jacking the front up and getting someone to work the steering to check for where the clonking comes from.

 

[Captain_Pug]

hello
i have a 1998 c240 sport with a worrying problem. the car makes a clonk noise when turning full whether am turning slow or fast. i told someone to drive the car while i watched and saw the car was dragging one of the tires when in full turn hence the clonk sound.
i took the car for alignment and it was reported that it was dead accurate no adjustment needed. the bushes are in good order i have checked for shakes in the tires bushes ball joints shocks bearings but nothing seems wrong till you make a turn.
the tires are wearing out in the front on the outside due to the dragging. it definetly seems like one tire turns more than the other but not the way it should.

I have a 98 c200 sport that it also suffering from tyre drag however i think i have diagnosed the problem as the steering damper that needs replacing (another thred).

Steve

 

[wolly]

wolly

thanks for the replies Chris and Steve

chris i will look at the stoppers on the hubs and see if they are ok and if adjustable. th steering box was checked and was well fixed the turn stops well i have braked a few times but nothing happened it just goes on clonking if you move again.

the clonk sound comes from the tire popping back into position as its being pushed/dragged. when it pops the sound is made.
the car was jacked up on stands and we "played" with the wheels turned them lots. the car didnt make a sound. no noise in suspension suspended as the sound comes from the tire "popping"

nowdays i try not to turn full lock. as i wouldnt want to damage anything further.


Steve
i checked my damper it has some free movement i have been trying to source one but with no luck. please tell me where you purchased yours.

 

[Captain_Pug]

Hi,

I have not replaced mine yet, I got recomended some where on another thread i set up (W202 Damper) but i did not know where Andy meant. I have asked him but he has not got back to me yet. Have a look at the thread and see if Andy comes back with more info.

Have you got any oil leaking from yours, as i got told from my mechanic mine was leaking hence thats why its needs replacing.

On full lock the tyres make a terrible noise like they are skidding and and i have excessive wear on the outside edges. Going to replace damper then tyres as they coming to the end of their life, would be annoyed if they where new tyres.

 

[wolly]

wolly

hello Steve
i saw your thread of the dumper i thought maybe you had sourced a part. i tried to search what Andy meant but no luck i get some weird results on Google.

i have tired getting local motor factors and they don't have the part nor can they get it. eBay most of them are in the us but i don't they are the type for our cars. i think they have the ones for newer cars.

my damper leaked long before i just didn't realize due to a small oil leak on my engine that when i fixed had socked everything below the engine in oil. so didn't see that the damper was going. the popping sound was there before this.

i think we may have the same problem. you say your tires drag do they drag real bad to the point of you hearing them? if so we may have the same problem just that mine pop back into position. lucky you your tires are older. mine were fresh and i still have to replace soon.