E320 Steering wheel makes a scraping noise - Benzworld.org

Henrick · 12-27-2005, 03:28 PM

Hello,

I have a 2000 E320 with only 17k miles.

Every so often the steering wheel starts making a noise like two pieces of plastic are rubbing against each other.

Usually begins when I turn the wheel all the way to the right or left.

I took it in to autoban in Belmont. Did not find the reason but charged me for diagnostics![:0] ! Told me there are no leaks and nothing obvious.

Richard / E320 · 12-28-2005, 01:18 PM

'Every so often the steering wheel starts making a noise like two pieces of plastic are rubbing against each other.'

Mine did the same thing, if it sounds like it's plastic rubbing and coming from inside the vehicle. Dealer told me he sprayed 'it' (whatever that means!) with a lubricant. The noise did disappear after the service visit.

F18lumpy · 12-29-2005, 10:09 AM

Mine is doing this too. I have a 2001 w/73K on the clock. I asked the dealer to listen to it when they test drove the car at the end of my major service last month. They tried to tell me I needed to replace the steering rack as the internal bushings were failing and causing the problem.

I've done quite a bit of reading on this topic over the last several months (even before I took the car to the dealer). MB put out a bulletin or notice of some sort to the independents that called for a new steering boot (inside and outside the firewall) and some special MB lubricant. I find it interesting that my dealer doesn't seem to be aware of this issue.

If you do a search in the forum for steering noise or squeak you'll find quite a bit of info on it. All indications seem to point at the little rubber boot on the firewall where the steering column passes thru. Many have had complete steering racks replaced probably because the dealer or mechanic was unware of the boot issues. For $2500 for a steering rack from my dealer, I'm going to wait on this one, gather some more data, and probably take the car to an independant with the service bulletin and see if I can't get this fixed with a boot replacement.

Has anyone tried this in the driveway? Is it a DIY?

Thanks
Jeff

Storm. · 12-29-2005, 12:56 PM

... or you could be lucky and find that it's just the contacts for your horn inside your steering which need greasing (happened on my 124)

netdvn · 01-17-2006, 07:09 PM

My 2000 E320 (80K) has the same problem. I used to take my vehiches to Tysinger in Hampton but now I'm in favor in the "DIY". Let me know if you find any remedy.

Thanks,

1st Benz · 03-11-2006, 10:39 PM

My 01 e320 has the same problem, slight whiz when turning the wheel. Raymond on this forum provided me with a TSB about the apparent "common" problem with these cars. The TSB states that the steering colum boot needs to be lubed and the edges of sleeve need to be inspected and rounded off if needed to correct the problem. Talk to your dealer about known "TSB" for this issue and see what they say. Good luck!