jettie1767

I've noticed a consistent clunking noise either in the steering or front suspension components of my 55. I can hear it when I'm maneuvering to a parking spot or going up my driveway/garage. It only starts making the noise when the car is barely moving and you're turning the wheel. I cannot hear it in normal driving speeds or even on a highway.

Anyone know what's wrong? I've already scheduled a dropoff at the dealer on Wednesday.

RonG

Please let me know the diagnosis. Mine is a "ticking" rather than a cluncking noise however

simonlam168

I have the same problem. Did you find out what was wrong with your car?

W0n6_3d4n

Ask the dealer to check for the steering column which located just above your feet when u driving, u might have kicked that part while u driving. I used to overtighten that part and the ball joint or sth hit that plastic part everytime i steer the wheels.

jettie1767

I'm taking it in on Wednesday morning. I'll post the findings, if they find any...LOL. Most of the time, they will just say 'its normal'.

sprins

I don't know if it's the same as what you guys describe, but when the steering wheel is completely turned either way (e.g. whilst driving in/out a parking space), the track of the front wheels no longer seem to be in harmony. Thus one of the wheels will be dragged into the other wheels track. But this only happens when the steering wheel is (almost) completele turned one way (or the other). It seems to me as "by design".

I notice this most on 'slippery' garage floors.

Am I making any sense?

jettie1767

The noise I'm referring to occurs even when the wheels are not completely turned either left or right.

jettie1767

Dealer called me this afternoon....they can hear the noise but the tech can't figure out which part it is...LOL. So, they're keeping the car for another day.

david_101

do youi recall if the noise occurred in conjunction with brake use, either during or immediately after?

jettie1767

Don't remember if I was applying brakes when I heard the noise.

david_101

my CLK55 suffers that clunking noise during or just after braking, while or after turning, especially near either turn-lock. it was diagnosed as a brake caliper unloading issue.

first (selling) dealership claimed it was odd, but not outside normal limits.

second dealership said something's definitely wrong; schedule an appointment and reserve a loaner.

try to remember whether or not the noise occurred while turning, during or just after braking.

and please post your findings and results.

Gregs210

You are making sense. At least I think so!

This is indeed by design, essentially the steering geometry is designed so that as the degree of turn increases, the inside front wheel (left in a left turn, right in a right turn) moves into a tighter diameter turning arc than does the outside one. A substantial reason is because the diameter of the turn for the wheel on the inside is indeed smaller than the one the outside wheel is carving. Same reason you need a differential, and it helps the car turn in more quickly. Most cars do this to one degree (no pun intended) or another.

Hope you get a solution from the dealer, as well as for the other folks.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

jettie1767

Well, my dealer found the problem....the control arms that hold the suspension/struts were causing the noise. They parts arrived today and they installed it. They will test it tomorrow and hopefully everything is fixed!

simonlam168

My car has the same problem. The local dealer cannot find the problem. I am anxious to know what your technician did to repair your car. Please keep me inform. Thanks!

jettie1767

The noise is gone! The dealer replaced the two control arms on the front suspension (one on each side). He said it's like a v-shaped aluminum rod that is part of the wheel and strut assembly.

evanichka

my sl55 had that problem also... if what the other poster says doesnt work out for you, i can ask the tech's at my dealership what they did to fix it

James L.

Not everyone's sound come from the same problem as Jettie. That sounded serious to replace things.

I just got my CL a month ago and had the some noise problem. Brought the car in to the dealership and took them just less then an hour to adjust something on the rack and pinion and the sound goes away. No replacement of parts or whatsoever.

I suggest you guys bring you car back to the dealership and leave the guessing game to the experts.

Rafal

It is a design issue with all pre-2005 E55/E500. All motor journo's keep referring to this steering rack kick-back and noise. Mercedes Benz has now rectified the problem on 2005 model. I am not sure if you can retro-fit or warranty claim on pre-2005. I know it's been upgraded for sure: I've replaced my noisy steering knock 2003 E500 with a 2005 E55 which has perfect steering plus 10% more direct rack just like CLS55.

D-5

I also have this problem on my 2003 E55 (posted in the W211 forum) The noise is coming from somewhere around the dash and the most noticable when backing up into my garage at night. So is it the steering, suspension or the brakes???

thewb

wow.. this is so funny i was on my way to the dealer for the same noise my is really loud only when your sterring when stopped or going really slow ..high speeds okay ..this is so funny ..so what it the finaly verdict for the solution ( make sure the dealer doesnt brush me off )..thank you in advance. ..

ldye

My tech couldn't find anything through the MB Star network. Said he would call Mercedes. Hope they get something logged on this problem soon.

ldye

Dealer had car today but could not locate the problem/noise. Not as bad today. Temps are several degrees lower than last week when we really could hear it. Looks as though heat makes it more noticable.
Between this and the crap for tires I have I'm about ready to unload this for something else. Don't know what it would be though.
Jettie 1767,sent you a email, hope you got it and can reply.

jettie1767

Idye....didn' get your email. Please resend to jetskier@hotmail.com.

mabruteam

I have an SL500 2003 50K miles, same noise, we already changes the control arms and several parts, the noise is getting worse... we will take the car to the dealer and post the results

cal1

I had the same issue at nearly the same miles on my 03. I too had the lower control arms replaced, but also a bushing of some sort if I recall correctly. Sorry I can't recall more clearly.