Why are you procrastinating?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
Why are you procrastinating?
I thought this might be a fun thread to start up -- things that you know you need to do to your car that you are continuing to put off, and why?
My C230 has a "clunk" in the steering. I haven't been able to pinpoint it yet, but control arms, struts and sway bar links and bushings are all replaced, so it's something in the inner tie rod ends or the rack.
Last year I drove the car up on stands, removed the bottom covers, and the steering cover plate to take a look. Couldn't find the source of the clunk -- it felt like it was coming from inside the rack. Didn't feel like the rack bushings, but after seeings as how many people have solved their clunks with new rack bushings, two months ago I purchased a set of Corteco bushings online.
So, the bushings have been sitting on my workbench in the garage for two months, waiting for me to take the time to get back under the car and change them out.
I'm still not sure how easy it will be to lift the rack enough to get the bottom-side bushings, especially the one on the drivers side with the steering column attached. I will find out ...
My C230 has a "clunk" in the steering. I haven't been able to pinpoint it yet, but control arms, struts and sway bar links and bushings are all replaced, so it's something in the inner tie rod ends or the rack.
Last year I drove the car up on stands, removed the bottom covers, and the steering cover plate to take a look. Couldn't find the source of the clunk -- it felt like it was coming from inside the rack. Didn't feel like the rack bushings, but after seeings as how many people have solved their clunks with new rack bushings, two months ago I purchased a set of Corteco bushings online.
So, the bushings have been sitting on my workbench in the garage for two months, waiting for me to take the time to get back under the car and change them out.
I'm still not sure how easy it will be to lift the rack enough to get the bottom-side bushings, especially the one on the drivers side with the steering column attached. I will find out ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,266
Likes: 170
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Sounds like something good to do at the DIY shop. The owner is a german mechanic and could help out for a small additional fee along with who ever else is there and not occupied at the moment.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola,FL
2001 C240, 2011 Honda pilot EX-L RES, 2005 Tundra
Lets see,
1.) AC compressor noise, Needs replacing. Just to find the time to install a new compressor, drier, expansion valve.
2.) Right front lower and up control arms and ball joints. Again, Just need the time.
3.) Engine mounts, Gonna take it to an Indy for this one.
4.) Rear window shade is stuck in up position, I have to manually lower it, but it goes back up without a problem.
And I think that it. I am the worst procrastinator ever, I could probably be replacing the control arms right this minute, but ill get to it one day hopefully before my wheel flys of the car.
1.) AC compressor noise, Needs replacing. Just to find the time to install a new compressor, drier, expansion valve.
2.) Right front lower and up control arms and ball joints. Again, Just need the time.
3.) Engine mounts, Gonna take it to an Indy for this one.
4.) Rear window shade is stuck in up position, I have to manually lower it, but it goes back up without a problem.
And I think that it. I am the worst procrastinator ever, I could probably be replacing the control arms right this minute, but ill get to it one day hopefully before my wheel flys of the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
"Preventive maintenance" ( = can postpone indefinitely
)
- Fuel filter
- V-belt and pulleys
- Power steering flush #2
- Steering rack bushings (after jkowtko does his and reports on the complexity lol)
More "urgent" issues:
- Left front end clunk, probably strut mount
- Control arms, ball joints have been kinda loose for some time now
Been busy lately, and for the front end I'd prefer a DIY garage, but the closest one is like 120mi away, so I need to plan well ahead on this one.
Guys, can I install older 2002 control arms from a coupe - they only have ~75k on them, and ball joints feel sturdy. I was planning to replace the cracked bushings with the updates ones.
)- Fuel filter
- V-belt and pulleys
- Power steering flush #2
- Steering rack bushings (after jkowtko does his and reports on the complexity lol)
More "urgent" issues:
- Left front end clunk, probably strut mount
- Control arms, ball joints have been kinda loose for some time now
Been busy lately, and for the front end I'd prefer a DIY garage, but the closest one is like 120mi away, so I need to plan well ahead on this one.
Guys, can I install older 2002 control arms from a coupe - they only have ~75k on them, and ball joints feel sturdy. I was planning to replace the cracked bushings with the updates ones.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, ON
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
I have an intermittent squeak coming from the rear. Probably a bad bushing but it's ceased making noise ever since the weather warmed up. I'll probably have an indy look at it when it starts squeaking once again. There's a rattle in the B pillar on the right side but it doesn't always rattle so I'll get mad when it happens and then forget about it once I arrive where I am going. That's about as far as I'm going to go with procrastination as I like these cars but as with all German cars I'm a tad scared what could go wrong so I make sure to be up to date on the maintenance.
As for what's required for the next 2 years I've already staggered out the necessary maintenance procedures so it'll barely make a dent in the wallet. This year I'll do a service B by myself including the fuel filter but leave the brake fluid to an indy and change the spark plugs. Next year it's transmission fluid (for an indy) and inspecting the drive shaft like the flex discs and other suspension things as the car will be 9 years old next year and I'm sure will need some suspension parts replaced.
As for what's required for the next 2 years I've already staggered out the necessary maintenance procedures so it'll barely make a dent in the wallet. This year I'll do a service B by myself including the fuel filter but leave the brake fluid to an indy and change the spark plugs. Next year it's transmission fluid (for an indy) and inspecting the drive shaft like the flex discs and other suspension things as the car will be 9 years old next year and I'm sure will need some suspension parts replaced.
