New Steering rack?

[Bobbycharlton]

Hi

I'm having a problem with my 2010 E class cabrio. The steering makes a clunk when turned to the left.

The noise is only there when the engine is first turned on after a couple of min of running it stops doing it. The clunk occurs when the wheel has stopped turning ie if you turn quarter of a turn the steering clunks the moment you stop turning the wheel.

It occurs at stationery not when moving.

Going to my local Indie soon but already expect a 2kish bill as I'm not hopfu. Is there anyone else had a similar thing? Are steering racks common to go bad?

I did previously have a strut bearing that needed attention before but this probably is the rack.

 

[Blobcat]

Could be a broken spring

 

[John Laidlaw]

I’d be surprised if it was a rack, there’s many things it could be before that, as above broken springs, rod ends, anti roll bar, links....anyway if you’ve a good indie you’ll know soon enough don’t panic too much yet!
Hazarding a guess you may be Manchester way? Welcome by the way...

 

[Bobbycharlton]

Close enough. Leeds Yorkshire. I always assume the worst I guess there's many things that can cause steering knocks and play?

last service Indie said he had to adjust the top mount bearing and might need attention in future he didn't charge me for it, perhaps it's related. Back then it cluncked on full lock was fixed with the adjustment.

Now it clunks only when turned left and at different points not full lock. Car has 100k on it. Vauxhall and Ford fourms are full of horror stories of PS racks failing

 

[mercmancdi]

I though mine was away in 07 E Class
But got lucky enough it was wear in at the inner arm and the bottom wish
bone bush’s combined .
New wish bone and inner arm joints including
fitting was around £260.

Can’t remember exact bits fitted but if I get receipt I will look.

 

[LostKiwi]

Don't think I can remember anyone having a rack changed on their MB?

Given you had top mount issues before I'd go with that. Don't know how the mechanic adjusted it as I thought they were fit and forget!

 

[om613]

Don't think I can remember anyone having a rack changed on their MB?

Mine went South rapidly, leaking from the main seals.
This was due to bad (contaminated black) 14 year old SLS fluid.

 

[Bobbycharlton]

Car was always serviced exactly when scheduled first at MB dealer then at a good indie.

Wouldnt the fluid have been changed during some of these services?

Hopfully it will be one of the linkages instead of the rack