Steering clunk at low speeds or when stopped
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 557
Likes: 71
2016 C63S
Steering clunk at low speeds or when stopped
Noticed this noise a few times over the past couple of months. Really only noticed it when in a parking lot. Anything faster than 5-10 mph and I can’t detect it.
Did a bunch of searching and saw answers ranging from an airbag bracket catching to a steering knuckle, to a whole steering rack needing replacement.
Interestingly, I believe MB lists the rack as non serviceable, but you can get tie rods for cheap that install just fine.
Admittedly I haven’t gotten the car in the air yet to check for something obvious like a wheel bearing, but, the noise sounds way closer to the steering column, just around the firewall, rather than down at the wheel hub.
Figured I would share in case anyone else has experienced this.
Did a bunch of searching and saw answers ranging from an airbag bracket catching to a steering knuckle, to a whole steering rack needing replacement.
Interestingly, I believe MB lists the rack as non serviceable, but you can get tie rods for cheap that install just fine.
Admittedly I haven’t gotten the car in the air yet to check for something obvious like a wheel bearing, but, the noise sounds way closer to the steering column, just around the firewall, rather than down at the wheel hub.
Figured I would share in case anyone else has experienced this.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 557
Likes: 71
2016 C63S
Just following up for others’ sake. As I suspected it was the driver side tie rod.
Luckily I have a good independent shop near me and they did the whole job for $350. Beats adding a zero do that to have MB tell me the rack isn’t serviceable.
Luckily I have a good independent shop near me and they did the whole job for $350. Beats adding a zero do that to have MB tell me the rack isn’t serviceable.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 317
Likes: 31
C8, FF, C63S, 911 C4S, GTI, E350, Boxster S, 355, Esprit S4, Vantage, S5, Z4, M3, Miata, A4, 325is
Loose tierod. Also, next time, let us know how many miles on the car which would help narrow down the possible issues. Then again, I've seen tierods die at 15k miles likely due to hitting a pothole or something. Otherwise, these things "should" last around 100k miles.
