Hi All,

I have a 2005 Mercedes S430 that I got back in dec 18. I got it to replace a car that I made too 'hot'. Then the Benz just totally grew on me and became the daily driver. I sold the 'hot' car and kept the 14 year old Benz.
It was owned by a doctor, he got a new Benz. This car was fully serviced on time at Benz since this doctor bought it. So I got me a well maintained S430 4Matic with 90k on the clock.

The Benz now has 104k on it. I have since:
Changed oil every 5k
Done full trans/front and rear diff fluid changes at 90K
Plugs at 90k
All filters once a year
Secondary Air pump
Airmatic pump/valve block/brakets (shocks were replaced in 2014 with OEM Bilstiens.)
New Tires
Valve and breather covers/hoses
Fixed the behind the door handle LED's
Motor and trans mounts.
Altenator and belts
paint corrected and 3 coats of ceramic
All rails hinges, etc properly greased once a year
Installed 2 USB power ports in the glove box, along with a Dension BT500 Gateway to get bluetooth and the ipod in the car.
Also put a wifi puck in the car to have wifi in the car. A must for my 6 year old son. (he has no idea how lucky he is)
I also put a small Ipad just left of the screen to add waze etc while driving.

The point is I am methodically replacing all the parts in this car, because as I tell my wife "I will have this car when we are super rich, and still drive it'.
Her dad had one growing up, so she saw this story already....lol....
I love the airmatic ride and the motor is so nice and quiet, no noise, pulls like a train...I have always been partial to big sedans. Growing up my first car was a 1979 Town Car. I got it for $600 in 1993 and it ran until I sold it in 1997 with 207k on the clock.
I have always been into maintaining my 'things'.

I ask for your assist/thoughts:
1) When steering wheel is at center and car is in drive at rest, i hear a rumble. I turn the wheel a bit and it goes away, super quiet. Steering pump? Tighten that 17MM bolt on the rack?

2) When going real slow and step on the brakes I hear a 'clink'. What to check? Sway links? Its a 'clink' sound and very short, one time when engaging the brakes. I had brakes and rotors replaced, and this 'clink' sound happens still. Sway links?

3) When on the highway the steering wheel is about 5dg right of center when going arrow straight. Alingment?

4) Car sometimes feel like it is being pushed to the side by a wind gust at speed on highway....Sway links?

Your feedback is appreciated and I cant say thanks enough to the people on this site for helping me maintain this car in showroom shape for like 350K miles.

 

I ask for your assist/thoughts:
These are opinions, and only opinions.

1) When steering wheel is at center and car is in drive at rest, i hear a rumble. I turn the wheel a bit and it goes away, super quiet. Steering pump? Tighten that 17MM bolt on the rack?
My first check would be front wheel bearings - check, lubricate and adjust.
Procedure:
Clean and inspect for any flaws. Lubricate and install. While rotating the hub, tighten firmly with a wrench. Stop turning the hub, and loosen the nut. Tighten the nut as tight as you can using ONLY your fingers - no tool. Check for smooth rotation of the hub, and for any other movement. If the hub has any discernible free play, repeat the process. The goals are zero preload and zero free play. Reinstall the lock, etc.

2) When going real slow and step on the brakes I hear a 'clink'. What to check? Sway links? Its a 'clink' sound and very short, one time when engaging the brakes. I had brakes and rotors replaced, and this 'clink' sound happens still. Sway links?
The clink is usually the brake pads moving to the other end of the free play in the calipers. You will get a clink the first time you apply the brakes going in the other direction. Not a problem.

3) When on the highway the steering wheel is about 5dg right of center when going arrow straight. Alingment?
Yes. This is not a good place to cheap out. Try to find the best alignment, whether it is a dealer or a really good shop with the newer equipment. You may have some worn links or joints.

4) Car sometimes feel like it is being pushed to the side by a wind gust at speed on highway....Sway links?
Try it after the alignment. Have the tire pressures up to spec.

 

Thank you so much, I am going to check the bearings and see whats up there.
I appreciate the feedback.

 

I had the car aligned this morning at the Benz dealer, and now the car is arrow straight and so is the steering wheel. No issues with anything worn, bearings are fine I was told. After the alignment the rumble sound is now gone as well....

 

Good job.