tchalikias
Paid Member
So now that the weather is getting warmer, this "steering column knocking when stationary or maneuvering at slow speeds" problem has come back in force.
A more detailed description of the problem: when stationary of moving at slow speeds, I get frequent, slightly audible knocks felt through the steering wheel. I think the warmer the outside temperature, the more pronounced they are. I had almost forgotten about this during the winter.
Something else I've noticed:while stationary, turning the steering wheel half a turn to the left (or more) and then turning it again by half a turn to the right (this happens a lot during parking maneuvers) will produce a knock at about 45 degrees to the right, you can clearly feel it on the steering wheel and sometimes it can also be heard as a muffled clunk. If you try to reproduce the knock you have to turn the steering wheel again half a turn or more to the left and then to the right again.
An initial check on a ramp has proven fruitless - everything looks to be in order in the front. Also, apart from this, steering feels as good as ever, and there is no change in the car's behavior whatsoever or pulling to one side etc.
I believe the knock originates at the u-joint behind the pedals,where the steering column meets the steering rack. Is there an easy way to confirm this part is the culprit? Any 200 owners out there that had this u-joint replaced?
Thanks in advance!
A more detailed description of the problem: when stationary of moving at slow speeds, I get frequent, slightly audible knocks felt through the steering wheel. I think the warmer the outside temperature, the more pronounced they are. I had almost forgotten about this during the winter.
Something else I've noticed:while stationary, turning the steering wheel half a turn to the left (or more) and then turning it again by half a turn to the right (this happens a lot during parking maneuvers) will produce a knock at about 45 degrees to the right, you can clearly feel it on the steering wheel and sometimes it can also be heard as a muffled clunk. If you try to reproduce the knock you have to turn the steering wheel again half a turn or more to the left and then to the right again.
An initial check on a ramp has proven fruitless - everything looks to be in order in the front. Also, apart from this, steering feels as good as ever, and there is no change in the car's behavior whatsoever or pulling to one side etc.
I believe the knock originates at the u-joint behind the pedals,where the steering column meets the steering rack. Is there an easy way to confirm this part is the culprit? Any 200 owners out there that had this u-joint replaced?
Thanks in advance!