Noise when turning steering wheel from under car.
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
Noise when turning steering wheel from under car.
My grandson showed up for a visit with his 190E and he reported that the car was making a loud clunk noise when the steering wheel was turned either way. I test drove the car and the sound can be not only heard but there is a slight binding in the steering and the power steering seems to be not working well. I suspect that the steering u-joint may be sticking since it seems to bind and then loosen as the wheels are turned in either direction. Is this a difficult part to change if this is the problem? I recall years ago our old Ford F150 had a similar problem and my late husband said the joint needed lubrication. Some oil solved the problem. This seems to be a very similar situation and I am hopeful that the joint needs lubrication but haven't tried it yet.
Last edited by LauraS; Jul 13, 2023 at 08:28 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Sorry to hear. Not usual with the steering part going bad like that. Make sure the simplest thing is not the problem. That would be the dampener. Maybe it is freezing up?
Normally when old they do the opposite though, they loose their shock absorption and do not do anything. You can temporarily undo it to see if the problem goes away.
While out you can test it for operability.
- Cheers!
Normally when old they do the opposite though, they loose their shock absorption and do not do anything. You can temporarily undo it to see if the problem goes away.
While out you can test it for operability.
- Cheers!
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Joined: Sep 2021
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
Well thanak goodness the noise seems to be from the driver's side strut bearing. With me slowly turning the steering wheel and the grandson under the car (hydraulic floor jack and 6 ton jackstands supporting the vehicle) he was able to isolate the noise to the strut mount. I shot some WD-40 over top and around the bearing and the noise is gone! Too bad we spent all that time removing the splash pan. I guess a new strut mount is on order. It looks like a not too difficult job. Do these mounts hold a bearing or was the noise just from lack of lubrication? Thanks for the help.
Last edited by LauraS; Jul 14, 2023 at 04:30 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Is this the part of the strut that connects the strut to the hub Laura? Is it part of the strut or part of the hub?
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Oh , I see you meant the strut mount. If it is squeaking likely the rubber is cracked and or the strut tower clamp is rotating. Is the clamp staying put?
If originals most likely you will need it replaced. One of mine went bad maybe 10 years ago. I replaced the set about 5 years ago. Super easy.
If originals most likely you will need it replaced. One of mine went bad maybe 10 years ago. I replaced the set about 5 years ago. Super easy.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 220
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
Oh , I see you meant the strut mount. If it is squeaking likely the rubber is cracked and or the strut tower clamp is rotating. Is the clamp staying put?
If originals most likely you will need it replaced. One of mine went bad maybe 10 years ago. I replaced the set about 5 years ago. Super easy.
If originals most likely you will need it replaced. One of mine went bad maybe 10 years ago. I replaced the set about 5 years ago. Super easy.
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1991 190E 2.3
I did mention the part as the strut mount in my previous post. The mount didn't squeek but rather clunked intermittently when the steering wheel was turned. By strut tower clamp do you men the metal bar under the top nut? It doesn't rotate or move as wheel is turned. I will order a set and install although for now the WD-40 seems to have smoothed out the steering with no noise.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Sure sounds like the mount is compromised somehow. Perhaps it is torn internally and it does not show. Best to replace like you are doing now.
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
Thread Starter
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
Unfortunately, the WD-40 might turn out to be a temporary fix. I realize that you do have new mounts on order which is good. You might also want to check how the tires are wearing. Tire ware can provide additional clues as to what might be happening that could point to the need to replace additional parts in the suspension and or steering.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
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1991 190E 2.3
190Efan, Thanks for the advice. Tire wear seems to be normal and the car handles well at highway speeds so I am confident everything else is OK. I will have the grandson take to the garage I deal with when I am in town (100miles away for me). Dealer is 450 miles away and I don't often get that far from home anymore.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: In the bush on the shores of Lake Nipigon
1990 Mercedes 190E
New strut mounts arrived and the noisy one was repalced. It seems to have been the problem since no complaints from the grandson since he drove home. I have the other one in the box ready to install when the opportunity arises. Strut mount was $65 locally and $22 each from Rockauto + $22 shipping for both. Sachs brand so probably a good part.
The removal and install took about 1 hour.
The removal and install took about 1 hour.
