Stiff steering and Clunk at low speed - is this my imagination?

[machineheadrock]

When I am parking the car at very low speed, the steering in my CLK seems heavy.

If I turn the steering left or right when I am going very slowly, it feels as if perhaps I am turning too much for the speed I am going (I am used to more power steering) and that I am putting too much stress on the rods, and I hear a kind of light clunk sound.

Is this my imagination, is it a common thing for a CLK? I didnt feel it when test driving the car, but have a feeling I may just be turning too much when going slowly, but not sure.

Help appreciated

 

[Alps]

Get the bushes checked

 

[machineheadrock]

Get the bushes checked

It drives in a perfect straight line at all other moments, no tramlining etc?

Had a good look underneath yesterday, moving the joints around, no flex

 

[Stratman]

It's worth checking the serpentine belt and tensioner. The belt may be slipping on the pump pulley.

 

[Stratman]

In keeping with the principle of "it's usually something simple", is the PAS fluid level OK?

 

[machineheadrock]

In keeping with the principle of "it's usually something simple", is the PAS fluid level OK?

Hi Stratman, thanks for the input, PAS fluid OK.

One thing though, as I parked up today, I partially drove over a very low curb (maybe a centimetre or two in height where the curb is dropped in front of a driveway) before reversing into a space.

When I did this, there was like a clicking sound. I feel as if this sound is likely to be a possible drop link. Reason I say this, is that I instantly got out the car, and yanked on the front wheels hard to see if there was any flex in the wishbones, but nothing. Also, when I was under the car at the weekend changing a fog light, the bushes looked fine and the car drives fine.

What you reckon? Pontential drop link on the right hand side? I notice also when reversing at low speed this is the same side that clunks a little when I turn the wheel a lot at very low speed.

Thanks

 

[martyz]

Possibly the lower ball joint.

 

[machineheadrock]

Possibly the lower ball joint.

Please God no, I just sold an E46 cos it ate its way through three sets of wishbones in four years.

How much for one of these on a CLK?

Thanks

 

[martyz]

ECP do one for £87.82.

 

[machineheadrock]

Thanks mate. Think I will jack it up at the weekend, put it on some axle stands and have a shake about, see if I can determine which it is.

Really hoping its a simply drop link, really HATE ball joints and wishbones. I have changed SO many over the last few years it makes me sick.

I think it must be all these terrible potholed roads destroying bushes

 

[Terry_]

It will be the lower one probably ( the camber arm ).
I would buy a genuine one personally. 126 plus vat

 

[martyz]

Hope it's just an easy fix for you,as for potholes,sickening trying to avoid them
is getting dangerous,hit them or have a head on collision

 

[Stratman]

Potholes.

We used to drive on the left. Now we drive on what's left.

 

[machineheadrock]

Potholes.

We used to drive on the left. Now we drive on what's left.

My old E46 destroyed its way through wishbones and bushes

I completely believe its down to cheaper materials and potholes in unison

The roads are terrible in Surrey