W210 Clonky Steering - Help Please!

[AdrianDW]

I have a 2000my W210. Its recently started to develop an intermittent metallic "clonking" noise, which appears to emanate from the steering column area - within the cabin I feel. Local indie has looked at it and couldn't replicate the noise but, as far as he can workably dismantle it, can find no issues, other than a little play around dead centre and a duff airbag spiral (replaced). All reassembled and tidied up, but the noise is still there!

Car has 65K, plenty of power steering fluid in the tank, one lower balljoint replaced last service, no apparent handling or tyre wear issues that might suggest something amiss.

Any of you technical genii out there got any ideas please?

 

[Dunx]

Is there any particular scenario that makes the clonking noise? My W210 clonked when traveling over rough or uneven surfaces. This caused the car to roll very slightly and clonk. My problem turned out to be the anti-roll bar drop links. These link both ends of the ARB to the lower control arms or wishbones. Very cheap and easy to replace. The parts are around £18 for the pair, with another £1 or so for new screws. They take around an hour to replace, or less if you take it to the dealer or Indie.

Hope this helps.

 

[AdrianDW]

Thanks Dunx...
Its intermittent, but most common when pulling out of parking spaces, side roads etc on or close to full lock. It'll only happen once or twice then not again for the rest of the journey! Having said that I live on a new estate thats only just being surfaced, so plenty of bumps, holes and raised ironwork, which would tally with your problem.
I'll have a butchers at the drop links and replace them if they seem to have too much play. At the sort of cost you mention its probably a wise precaution any way.
Adrian

 

[television]

My Volvo has started knocking doing the same maneuver's, that was the near side drop link, bought one today £65 ouch for a little 8" rod, wth a ball joint each end.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Absolutely no help I know, but my 2000 E240 used to make a metallic grating sound when pulling out of parking spaces. Probably happened 1 time in 30 so impossible to track down. All I could say was that it generally happened near or on full lock, when the brakes were applied gently for menouvering.
Did it virtually from new and never got worse or gave me any trouble. I had everything checked and it was fine allegedly.

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

Clonking!

had you reversed into the parking space? if so then maybe the sound you hear is the caliper "realigning itself" for forward motion....just a thought

 

[AdrianDW]

Thanks all - the braking related suggestions sound interesting, as I do reverse into the carport, and being a narrow road its on just about full lock...

When the car comes back from the bodyshop (all doors and wings, and bootlid getting resprayed under warranty to hide the tin worm, plus a brand new front x-member - mobilo life maybe aint so bad!), I'll probably do the ARB drop links; if that don't cure it I shall spend the next few weeks manically noting everytime it happens, much to the amusement of my passengers!

 

[stevenN]

had you reversed into the parking space? if so then maybe the sound you hear is the caliper "realigning itself" for forward motion....just a thought

Sorry to bring up an old thread but is this normal?
I notice a bit of a click when I press the brake after going in reverse and visa versa.
I have checked the calliper bolts and they are tight.
only noticed it after doing a disc and pad change.

Thought it maybe lower balljoints?

Steve

 

[stevenN]

Just in case it got missed I thought I would Bump my question

ta

 

[television]

Just a slight movement of the pads and no worry its normal

 

[stevenN]

Hi Malcolm

Thanks for the reply
Perhaps they will settle in once they have a few 1000 miles on them?

Cheers

Steve

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm

Thanks for the reply
Perhaps they will settle in once they have a few 1000 miles on them?

Cheers

Steve

They will as the dust builds up, one can also get movement on the sliding callipers