Loud Clicking From Left Front While Turning

[Paul]

Just closed on purchase of an '03 300B (born Feb '03) with 69,8xx miles on it during my lunch hour today. Drives fine, passed pre-purchase used car inspection at local L/M dealer. When driving into the parking garage at my office, while circling to the right, I hear a loud clicking sound which appears to be coming from the left front. I tried circling to the left, and it's quiet. Ideas?

[MercModifier]

Probably a loose center cap.

[magindat]

It's your CV joints.

















:bs:

[magindat]

Seriously,
the obvious are:
loose center cap
loose lug(s)
a stray bit of plastic in the left front fenderwell hitting the tread

less obvious:
Bad rack seal
bad tie rod
bad ball joint

[DL04]

Try applying the brakes when it makes the noise- if it stops could be a brake pad

[MENINBLK]

Check the tires for stones, nails or screws in the outer treads...

The tire will lean one way on left turns and the opposite way on right turns...

[ckadiddle]

Rich, don't tease the new guy! :)

[magindat]

Rich, don't tease the new guy! :)

Dude, when I wrecked my MM, the adjuster said it would never be straight again because it was a unit body car. He also said I'd have to replace the front half-shaft (w/cv joints).
I demanded another adjuster!

I'm not teasing! I'm well, yes I am!

[Paul]

I thought these things were RWD? Shoot, I got taken! :depress:

[Paul]

It's your CV joints.
:bs:


magindat, you were right! My mechanic says it is the left front cv joint, he'll replace it for $250. ;)

By the way, does anyone know where this bolt is supposed to go? We found it caught in the wiring harness just above the left front wheel well (underneath where the stock airbox used to be). Wondering if it needs to be put back in, or if it's just an "extra"?

[Zack]

magindat, you were right! My mechanic says it is the left front cv joint, he'll replace it for $250. ;)

By the way, does anyone know where this bolt is supposed to go? We found it caught in the wiring harness just above the left front wheel well (underneath where the stock airbox used to be). Wondering if it needs to be put back in, or if it's just an "extra"?

What size is the head of that bolt.
Could be a frame mounting bolt but it sure looks like a cylinder head bolt.

[Paul]

What size is the head of that bolt.
Could be a frame mounting bolt but it sure looks like a cylinder head bolt.


Showing my ignorance here, but: do I measure from flat to flat or point to point? 6-sided bolt head. flat-flat is 9/16", point-point is 11/16". Head is stamped "SPS".

[Paul]

Seriously,
the obvious are:
loose center cap
loose lug(s)
a stray bit of plastic in the left front fenderwell hitting the tread

less obvious:
Bad rack seal
bad tie rod
bad ball joint

I replaced all my lugs with a set of Gorilla locks today. Guess what? The clicking is gone. Had to be a loose lug(s) after all. Turns out the old locking lugs I inherited from the prior owner were the wrong type - they did not have a 60 degree conical seat (were flat), and someone put in an aluminum washer to rig it. So they weren't particularly tight. Rims seem o.k. Source of the clicking is found.

Well, I'm lucky it wasn't my CV joints after all! Right Magindat? :D

[michael ward]

I had a clicking noise when i made turns also. sterring shaft was hitting a cable moved cable noise gone...

[magindat]

Well, I'm lucky it wasn't my CV joints after all! Right Magindat? :D

Yeah, cuz they are a beyotch to change on this car!!!

[ckadiddle]

SPS=Steinman-Klingfelder Particulate Sensor. That bolt holds it onto the engine block. ;)