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Knocking noise when full steering

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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 05:19 AM
  #1  
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W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
Knocking noise when full steering

Hi,

Last Monday there was a heavy rainy weather and water level was high on streets, after that day I am hearing loud knocking noise when turning full left or right at stand up or very low speed turning (Example during parking) while when moving there is no noise.
I got the car to mechanic for inspection over a lift, we didn't notice any wearing and everything looks good so he advice to inspect from below when car stands on ground and he will go in his holes. He is guessing it could be Set Front Sway Bar Stabilizer Link.
please advice.


Last edited by redaotrosh; Oct 20, 2023 at 05:47 AM.
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 12:01 PM
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2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
If front sway bar link it is easy to test.
Shake the car using your body weight at the wheel fender, the suspected link will make noise.

However your video , the noise is not from a sway bar link..... based on my ears.

If you car is a 4 matic, the front drive shaft can make noise like that. The CV joint.

Like this :

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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 01:08 PM
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From: Lebanon
W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
My car is not 4matic.
Afternoon we did some investigation from the below of the car, the mechanic remove the Sway bar link and the sound still so he said the sound came from the steering rack and he need to disassemble it to check inside if from the motor or bolts since he said when water ingress to it, it will make such noises. But it need one day for inspection.
I decided to take the car to another mechanic to double check.

What do you advise, will I need steering rack replacement or it will be easy fix.
​​​​​​If you have the whole components diagram for the rack with names it will be helpful.

Thanks in advance.
​​
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 01:50 PM
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This may or may not have anything to do with your situation, but have you plugged your VIN into the mercedes website to check for any outstanding recalls? Seems like there was a steering rack bolt recall performed on my '13 E350 before I took possession of it.
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 04:19 PM
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times up!

Based on the prior inputs... sounds like you rack got soaked in. Get it looked at by dealership for free replacement consideration.

The electrical assitance section has not failed just yet - Trust these units are carefully engineered.
Don't give it a chance to surprise you when you least expect it: ACTION!

While at the service desk, request them to service your MAIN GND TRAP. It is located even lower than the steering rack and gets 700A starter surges plus feeds 100% of the chassis consumers.
🤞


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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 04:31 PM
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'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Possible bad bushing.
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 05:49 PM
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If the rack got soaked will cleaning it fix the issue or total replacement and how I can get free replacement is there any document can show it to Lebanese dealer if it is worldwide issue and how I can check if my car recalled before.

Thanks for your help
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 07:16 PM
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W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
maintenance

Originally Posted by redaotrosh
If the rack got soaked will cleaning it fix the issue or total replacement and how I can get free replacement is there any document can show it to Lebanese dealer if it is worldwide issue and how I can check if my car recalled before.

Thanks for your help
You need to have full confidence in safety items like steering and brakes.

20Yrs ago I had the experience of popping a steering line in downtown traffic - It's best to prevent close calls, you know how: maintenance!

As far MB USA recall campaign applicable to EMEA: not directly but do search for a match with local MB authority.
🤞

​​​​​

Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 20, 2023 at 07:24 PM.
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Old Oct 21, 2023 | 05:43 PM
  #9  
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From: Lebanon
W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
I have contacted our local MB dealer about car recalls, they will check that on Monday, so now I am waiting there updates. I already schedule too for winter free checkup at dealer this Wednesday so I will ask them to investigate my car too.

As the dealer is away from my home around 80KM so is it safe to drive the car until Wednesday and to visit the dealer.
As my second old car W220 may has issue with airmatic(get low level warning) so still checking if it is issue or only false alarm. So I am afraid to drive it too

Last edited by redaotrosh; Oct 21, 2023 at 05:46 PM.
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by redaotrosh
I have contacted our local MB dealer about car recalls, they will check that on Monday, so now I am waiting there updates. I already schedule too for winter free checkup at dealer this Wednesday so I will ask them to investigate my car too.

As the dealer is away from my home around 80KM so is it safe to drive the car until Wednesday and to visit the dealer.
As my second old car W220 may has issue with airmatic(get low level warning) so still checking if it is issue or only false alarm. So I am afraid to drive it too
There was a steering rack bolt recall, but I believe it only went out to snow/salt locales, I don't know if Lebanon would qualify, that said, it could stil be the issue.
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 01:46 PM
  #11  
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From: Lebanon
W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
Originally Posted by pierrejoliat
There was a steering rack bolt recall, but I believe it only went out to snow/salt locales, I don't know if Lebanon would qualify, that said, it could stil be the issue.
In my town, there is no snow as I am near to coast while it will rarely snow once per decades but this car was imported from USA Georgia I guess since car was from LA dealer then another owner get it from GA and stayed there until 1 year ago as I bought it last March. If the recall available I am afraid the dealer will not accept it as the car not from MB Lebanese dealer.

Last edited by redaotrosh; Oct 22, 2023 at 02:00 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 07:23 AM
  #12  
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From: Lebanon
W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
Hi,

Wednesday I drove the car to the dealer to do the free winter checkup so he checked my steering noise too but he said the noise from steering rack and they need to replace with cost around 3.5k USD but he suggest to take the car to trusty garage as they can fix it, I stopped the car at my trusty mechanic at Thursday. Yesterday I got the car fixed and he fixed my water leak as the hose from engine rear to heater broken too with cost 100$ only but I don't know what was the solution for steering rack since when I got the car I didn't see the guy who fixed it. Thanks god issue fixed and no noise at all.

Question: I didn't have the engine undertray cover from day of bought, so today I buy new one and installed it and replace the bumper tray(70$ only) too as the old one broken a little.
Does these trays will protect steering rack from water and what are the benefits?
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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 09:01 AM
  #13  
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24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Originally Posted by redaotrosh
In my town, there is no snow as I am near to coast while it will rarely snow once per decades but this car was imported from USA Georgia I guess since car was from LA dealer then another owner get it from GA and stayed there until 1 year ago as I bought it last March. If the recall available I am afraid the dealer will not accept it as the car not from MB Lebanese dealer.
Interesting, I don't know 100%, but Georgia and LA, whether that stands for Louisiana or Los Angeles are not in the salt/snow belt, both temperate climates, maybe a member from those areas could chime in as to whether or not any of them received the bolt recall, If your mechanic fixed it for 100 dollars it was not the steering rack, I believe the four bolts that hold the steering rack are one time use fasteners. the underbody trays keep salt water and debris off the underside of the car and likely contribute to the aerodynamics and quietness of the car, also may help keep things from hitting underbody components.

Last edited by pierrejoliat; Oct 28, 2023 at 09:03 AM.
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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 12:28 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by redaotrosh
Hi,

Wednesday I drove the car to the dealer to do the free winter checkup so he checked my steering noise too but he said the noise from steering rack and they need to replace with cost around 3.5k USD but he suggest to take the car to trusty garage as they can fix it, I stopped the car at my trusty mechanic at Thursday. Yesterday I got the car fixed and he fixed my water leak as the hose from engine rear to heater broken too with cost 100$ only but I don't know what was the solution for steering rack since when I got the car I didn't see the guy who fixed it. Thanks god issue fixed and no noise at all.

Question: I didn't have the engine undertray cover from day of bought, so today I buy new one and installed it and replace the bumper tray(70$ only) too as the old one broken a little.
Does these trays will protect steering rack from water and what are the benefits?
Lucky he found that WILL-BREAK/LEAK for sure hose and the plastic pipe
Your car is a 2014 yes ? Dang..... 10th Bday of the car.

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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 02:25 PM
  #15  
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broken plastic heater hose adapters...

Originally Posted by S-Prihadi
Lucky he found that WILL-BREAK/LEAK for sure hose and the plastic pipe
Your car is a 2014 yes ? Dang..... 10th Bday of the car.
A picture of the DEALER/SHOP INVOICE would be nice to confirm the actual PART designation and work.... (remove vacuum pump or ???)
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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 03:02 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
A picture of the DEALER/SHOP INVOICE would be nice to confirm the actual PART designation and work.... (remove vacuum pump or ???)
Yup it is the hose adapter for the coolant leak.

Here in my village rarely mechanics give invoices only at dealer give invoices.
Next time when I see him, I will ask about the root cause and the solution.
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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by S-Prihadi
Lucky he found that WILL-BREAK/LEAK for sure hose and the plastic pipe
Your car is a 2014 yes ? Dang..... 10th Bday of the car.
As February 2024 it will be 10th Birthday so you may asking for 10 year rubber/plastic replacement as precaution or preventive maintenance.
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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 04:22 PM
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I am curious, which of the 4 items was the leaking/broken one ?

The 1 of 2 the plastic pipes or one of the 2 rubber hoses ?
By logic of more heat and vibrations, only one of the hose #180 has tougher job being inside engine bay ( heat + vibration ) and not behind sound shield/intermediate firewall, less heat and no vibration
like hose #150.

The 2 plastic pipes and one of the engine bay side hose.




Item above with red Part Number is not shown, below is its photo, item #1 pink




.
Below is Item #180 for M276 3.0 Turbo, M276 3.5NA one would be very similar. Maybe P/N different due to different bend/curve.




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Old Oct 28, 2023 | 05:06 PM
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From: Lebanon
W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
Originally Posted by S-Prihadi
I am curious, which of the 4 items was the leaking/broken one ?

The 1 of 2 the plastic pipes or one of the 2 rubber hoses ?
By logic of more heat and vibrations, only one of the hose #180 has tougher job being inside engine bay ( heat + vibration ) and not behind sound shield/intermediate firewall, less heat and no vibration
like hose #150.

The 2 plastic pipes and one of the engine bay side hose.




Item above with red Part Number is not shown, below is its photo, item #1 pink




.
Below is Item #180 for M276 3.0 Turbo, M276 3.5NA one would be very similar. Maybe P/N different due to different bend/curve.

As I was in the work when the mechanic fixed the car and when I reach the garage he was closed but only keep me the key and car to his next coffee shop, so only discussion over whatsapp done. But during the inspection underneath the car we saw some coolants contaminated between engine and transmission so he said that rear hoses maybe broken so he will checked and fix if needed, so I guess it could be purple 1 as it is near to the coolant contamination.
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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 12:27 AM
  #20  
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W220 S320 99, W212 E350 2014
Hi,

Recently I am hearing groaning noise when steering on park or low speeds. I read my threads something related to struts or bushing. Any idea to check?

Note: Ambient temperature between 13 to 18C or 60 to 68F and my tires Michelin AS4
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Old Mar 7, 2024 | 12:38 PM
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Today, mechanic checked the car and told me that the steering rack was ingress of water and need to be replaced. So he replaced it with used one and tomorrow will do the steering calibration before I get the car.
Is there any coding needed to be done or only plug and play.
Again, I guess that day in October when it was raining and roads full of water and car come on it. The steering was affected as the first fix helped me for 3 months. So how I can protect it from water ingress as I have installed the underneeth plastic covers after that day any advice for precaution?
Note: Our roads are not in good state as you will face many water lakes during rainy days. Sure MB do this car for all seasons not only for dry days.

I am thinking to keep the old one with me. is there any part can be used in future?

Last edited by redaotrosh; Mar 7, 2024 at 12:43 PM.
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