HELP - Steering and suspension problems

[CLK 320 W208]

Hi All,

I have recently bought a CLK 320, 87K 2002, and have a few suspension/steering problems. (although I did test drive the car, should have been more thorough and taken it on the Motor way :O( )

1) Steering damper is leaking, replacing this appears to be a quick fix is it ?

2) Steering bobbles at around 60mph and stops bobbling above 65, balancing and tyre pressure are ok, any ideas why this may be happening? An considering changing the ball joints, is that a good idea?

3) Car pulls to the left quite considerably, again any advice on what may be the cause?

Could all of the above be down to the steering damper problem…..

Any help on this matter will be much appreciated

 

[vijilants]

Hi All,

I have recently bought a CLK 320, 87K 2002, and have a few suspension/steering problems. (although I did test drive the car, should have been more thorough and taken it on the Motor way :O( )

1) Steering damper is leaking, replacing this appears to be a quick fix is it ?

2) Steering bobbles at around 60mph and stops bobbling above 65, balancing and tyre pressure are ok, any ideas why this may be happening? An considering changing the ball joints, is that a good idea?

3) Car pulls to the left quite considerably, again any advice on what may be the cause?

Could all of the above be down to the steering damper problem…..

Any help on this matter will be much appreciated

If the wheel wobbles at 60 and stops at 65 it points towards wheel balancing. Are you sure the balancing is OK ? Balancing is purely dependent on the calibration on the machine that it was done on and the guy doing it. I'd take the car somewhere else and get the balancing double checked.

Steering damper should be replaced and is not a difficult or expensive job....it would cause drift but not wobble.

Re pulling to one side, get the tracking checked.

 

[BlackC55]

...and the suspension bushes and joints 1st

 

[CLK 320 W208]

Thanks ,

will change the steering damer first and see what difference that makes.

will get the wheel balacning done again from somwhere else for bobeling.

I also have a hum coming from the from wheels wich from looking at other threads on this form suggest it may be the wheel bearing, is this a DIY job! have done a search but cant find any instruction on how to to this, any ideas.

 

[BlackC55]

What make tyres do you have?

 

[kth286]

steering damper will have zero effect on anything structural, and should be the last thing to change. It is just a nice thing to have on the car because it will lessen the vibrations when driving over less smooth surfaces.

In fact you can leave it off altogether for doing testing, as many cars have dampers where all the oil has leaked out anyway and the damper is no longer damping. As I say it is not contributing anything structural.

First thing is to properly look at all the tyres fully across each one all round and note what you see on each one. That could tell you a lot about your geometry set up.

Get Depending what you find above, get the suspension joints checked out first and replace those with wear.

Then get wheels balanced.

Then if the damper lacks any damping effect ie has no resistance, then change it last to give that bit of luxury.

 

[CLK 320 W208]

thanks kth 286,
Will consider changing the suspension joints, how do i check them for wear, are ball joint sand track ends the same thing? only ask because other threads seem to be using them interchangeably on this forum !

Again other posts have described better steering after changing the damper, not to expensive so will do it but want to sort out the car pulling to the left as a priority.

Not sure what make of tyres are will check tonight, i think they are continetal

 

[wheels-inmotion]

1: If the damper is leaking then it's worn condition is very advanced, change it.

2: The vibration range is to small to be wheel balance, it's probable the chassis frequency is intruded by the worn damper.

3: Transverse resistance between the nsf wheel and the idler currently has a free range... the damper is the criminal again (probably)

All three complaints you have are linked to the steering.... the steering damper has a visible defect, i would concentrate my funds there.

 

[CLK 320 W208]

Update on my suspension issues.

Have replaced the damper (15 min job), vibration is all but gone! and steering does not kick back as much as it was at full lock.

But car is still pulling to the left and seems to be alot of play in the steering wheel. when changing the damper noticed the steering box was leaking slightly, car is parked on my drive over night and no signs of any oil drips, which leads me to believe its a very slight leak.

Anyone had steering box issues before, and could the car be pulling to the left due to a faulty steering box. am almost certain that the excessive play in the steering wheel is due to the steering box.

Any pointers, as replacing the steering box may be quite costly.

Cheers.

 

[clk_greg]

I have a spare steering box here if you need one let me know!

 

[Dieselman]

You can reseal the steering box which appears to remove the play as well.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=47194&highlight=steering+box