Petrolheads help!

[`mongoose]

Hi Guys

Now - I realise that the car we own is neither glamorous, cool or trendy but (and it's a big but) we got it for a bargain price and it's incredibly good when you have a small child.

We've got an old shape A140 automatic and it's done us proud. My wife noticed yesterday that an odd rattling sound has appeared when driving at low speeds on the front passenger side.

It sounds like there's a stone caught in the wheel but this seems not to be the case. I concerned that it might be a bearing or suspension problem. I've found a few merc a-class sites but they seem to be subscription only and take up to 20 days to give access. Not useful when I have a problem now and need advice before taking it to the garage.

Like most people - this isn't a time of year when I've got money to throw around and I'm wondering whether anyone has or knows of any advice on a-class common faults, or better yet - anyone who's had one with similar symptoms...

Cheers

M

 

[Tom]

Very likely a drop link on that side. They only cost about £7 each, no special tools to change. Just unbolt and replace.

Do both sides at the same time, one after the other.

To change, jack the car up, put on axle stands (do not work under the car on a jack), let the wheel drop down, and replace.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...506716.507&CT=F&cat=66A&SID=32&SGR=060&SGN=02

Part 17 if I'm not mistaken.


Before you spend any money, post the same question on these excellent sites:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/index.php?

 

[`mongoose]

Thanks Tom.

I'll check both those sites out.

M

 

[Tom]

BTW, could also be an anti-roll bar bush. A bit more work, probably best left to a garage that one.

 

[Gumbo]

In my former life as a Motor Factor I used to sell tons of A class road springs.

A decent garage should be able to bung it on their ramp, pop it in the air and diagnose something like the drop link, ARB bush or coil spring, pretty much instantly, and without charge, it's then up to you to decide if you want to pay them to fix it.

GL.

 

[dysfunction]

I assume this would also apply to the back wheels?

My car, a Corsa, also has a sound like a chain rattling but doesn't make the sound all the time.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Maybe the hamster in the wheel had a cardiac ara...s....heartattack

 

[Tom]

Mongoose's problem, if its the drop links, will sound more like a knocking over light bumps only.

Your sound dys, well there isn't really enough information to go on. Could be a number of things, loose exhaust, rattling cat, loose exhaust heat shield, etc. I don't know if yours has an anti-roll bar at the back.