R-Class (W251) Produced 2006-2013: R320CDI, R350, R420CDI, R500

W251 steering clunk

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 15, 2023 | 07:45 AM
  #1  
stars_gatherer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
W251 steering clunk

Hi,
After the steering wheel airbag was replaced under warranty, my R started to have a clunk noise like the one in this Link, after searching for some time I found out that W164/W251 tend to have an issue with the steering shaft bearing.
you can see the replacement on a W164, yet the W251 design is totally different, and I wonder if anyone could help me with sharing the WIS procedure to replace it, as I would like to organize my work instead of going blindly at it.

I'm 100% positive that all the other components are in good condition and the source of the noise is this plastic bearing.

The photos below show the part I'm talking about, after replacing it I'll try to write a small DIY post, hopefully.





Francis
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2023 | 05:22 PM
  #2  
stars_gatherer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
Wrong diagnose

Good evening to everyone,
In the previous post I was describing with an incredible certainty that the clunk was coming from the steering shaft bearing, well, I was wrong.

After replacing the bearing, the clunk is still there. Since I'm a very stubborn person, after persisting for a while, finally, I isolated the clunk/noise in the U-joint that connects the steering column to the intermediate shaft. After some research, the best option is to purchase a GMB U-joint, precisely the 1538 (15 mm cap-38mm length), as Mercedes doesn't offer the intermediate shaft as a replacement, only the whole column assembly is available..

I'll try to update the thread, hopefully this will sort out this problem

Regards,
Francis



Bearing locationa (behind heat shield), easily accessible after removing the left air filter


Side by side New vs Old bearing


Faulty intermediate shaft U-joint
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2023 | 06:17 AM
  #3  
virgisr's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 25
From: UK
Mercedes R320L CDI 4MATIC 2007
i am having same issue. i have discovered that the cluck is coming not from any uni joints, or bearing, which i have replaced myself as well. On my car its coming from steering wheel column, inside of the car, i think from the sliding pair where steering wheel position can be adjusted. Clunk goes away when i am fully pushing steering wheel in, up or down does not matter. Check on your car if its same, it might me a common problem on those.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2023 | 07:28 AM
  #4  
stars_gatherer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
Just checked, the noise is there whatever is the position of the steering, pressed in, up down, fully extended.
Next week I should have the replacement U-joint on hand, I would prefer to avoid the $1000+ expense to replace the whole column.

Francis
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2023 | 09:27 AM
  #5  
seacoaster's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
w251 R350
How did it go?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2023 | 11:50 AM
  #6  
stars_gatherer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
Hi,
Hopefully next week I'll put my hands on the replacement U-joint, which, for anyone interested is a GMB 1538, with 4 plain round bearings. Mine is definitely shot as each cap is leaking grease and it's definitely not supposed to.

Regards,
Francis
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2023 | 03:12 AM
  #7  
ruizmilton's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
04 C230
Hi, just out of curiosity, did you ever check your rack bushings?
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:58 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE