W124 sounds diagnosis

[uchiha]

I can't take it anymore. There are a some sounds coming from my car and I can't figure out what's causing them. I'm so tuned into these sounds that it's all I hear when I'm driving. I actually had an argument with my wife because she couldn't hear a sound that I could clearly hear - so I need help.

There numerous rattles and squeaks and I can't see how you guys will be able to determine what I'm on about but here goes. The three main ones are:

1 - When I drive off from standstill, or when I'm driving very slowly over ever so slightly undulating surfaces I hear a light clunk over my left shoulder around the driver's side door (left hand drive). This one is probably the least significant sounds but it drives me crazy. Imagine you haven't closed your door properly and you go over a speed bump - that exact sound but softer. I could go over a pothole or the roughest terrain and I won't hear it, but if say I turn to go up a ramp in a multi story car park, it'll be there. The door is solid, absolutely no give whatsover when closed. I've just replaced the rubber seal to see if that tightened things up but sound is still there.

2 - Creaky rear suspension. Something is making some terrible squeaky creaky sounds at the back. Only noticeable over bumps/dips but quite loud. Just changed out the rear bushes (the metal/rubber cylindrical items about 1'' diameter and 2'' in length) but made no difference. Might be me but I actually think it's worse after but how could this be?

3 - This one started just now which is why I'm writing this at 6am. I've just been to liverpool Street station and if you've got any kind of sounds coming from your car, you'll hear them there. I can not believe how we can have such appalling roads in the heart of our capital - I mean truly shockingly bad. In fact this sound is probably caused by driving around on the roads in the square mile. Anyway, this latest sound is coming from the driver's footwell or below the steering wheel. Sounds exactly like when you go over rough ground in a cheapo motor and the pedals vibrate except it's not the pedals - too light a sound for the w124. If I go over a bump, I'll hear a 'tapapapapapapa' for a couple of seconds.

That's the best I can do to describe short of a sound clip. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Uchiha

 

[grober]

1. Could be so many things choose from the following
Broken rear spring ( sometimes surprisingly difficult to see if its just broken at the very end where it sits in the suspension arm)
damaged spring pad
worn anti roll bar bushes or links.
worn rear subframe mountings (the front ones)
something loose under the seat

2. linked to above

3. some sort of shielding rattling- either on the car or the section on the exhaust pipes before the cats.

 

[pupsi]

Could be your SLS playing up, its a pain in the backside.

Check your rear shocks to make sure neither are leaking. Rear spheres could need replacing if they havent been done before.

 

[uchiha]

I think it's time the entire suspension set up was renewed.

I know there's a similar thread running at the moment but I wanted to get your thoughts on 500E specifically.

I don't want a sportier set up as I regularly drive on bad roads so AMG or other lowered kits are too harsh.

I'm just looking for an equal or better quality set up than the original set up in terms of springs and shocks. Is there a better option than OEM for a better price?

Thanks,

 

[Ade B]

I had a creak from the rear which turned out to be a small pebble from our pea shingle drive lodged in the bottom coil of the rear spring. I poked it out with a screwdriver and the noise disappeared.

Ade

 

[acm718]

I'm going with anti-roll bar bushes for the first one.
Big problem is it's so quiet in a Merc to start with, so any sound will be quite noticeable.

 

[MrMotul]

Like I said Uchiha, that noise was there when I owned the car, I did think of putting someone in the boot whilst driving the car to see if they could pinpoint where the actual noise is coming from, any candidates on here wanna ride in the boot of probably the best built Mercedes ever?

 

[uchiha]

I think you just volunteered yourself!

 

[MrMotul]

That'll be the 2nd job on the list when I come over to yours then

 

[imbck666]

i wouldnt mind going into the boot.. its a merc.. should be comfortable in there as well

 

[vin230]

1) I think you will need to adjust the door catch. you will need a star hex key and move the catch inwards (ie toowards the inside of the car) and possibly upwards, by about 1mm. This should sort out the knock from the door, by taking away the play/drop caused by many years of drivers door catch wear.

Sounds like you might have ball joint or suspension bush issues with the other things.