part name/number for this bit???

[Ulf]

Hi guys/gals - my beloved car has started to make a cloncking noise when driving over rough surfaces, my mechanic has identified this part as the culprit and calls it "the auxiliary steering rack", but what is it called for real in English or German and which part of this exploded chart is it?

Thanx in advance :-)

Ulf

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Ulf,

Your photo unfortunately is not very clear. Have a look at this site, the link I left you below shows steering components ... Perhaps you will recognize the part you are looking for as you go thru the pages. Good luck.

Dieter

Check here ----> http://www.theslshop.com/parts-shop/sl113/steering-suspension.html

[Ulf]

Vielen Dank, Rolf Dieter, but I'm not sure the part is listed - I know the picture is a bit unclear and everything is soiled in anti-rust, but I simply can't find anythings that looks even remotely similar to it on SLShop. But you might be right that it is a steering component rather than a suspension thing... :-)

MfG

Ulf

[Ulf]

Could it be a "Lenkhebel" (hopefully not since that part seems to be NLA) or anything on this chart?

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Check out the area at Buds Benz link below it might be the Idler arm ... They have a repair kit (J228-200A)

Link here ---> https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/j-front-suspension-steering

Ulf,

I would have the mechanic take it apart and positive identify the part that makes the cranking noise ... Then take photos and send them to Buds Benz, Dave in the parts department is very helpful it might just be a bearing. Good luck.

Dieter

[Ulf]

Thanks Dieter :-)

[Tyler S]

Yes that is the idler arm. Looks as if the heat shield is also missing.

[Ulf]

DB-Depot suggested this repair kit, which I have ordered :-)

Hope it does the trick!

Ulf

[stickandrudderman]

I've never known a worn idler bush to cause a knocking sound but if it's got play in it you certainly remedy that anyway.

[Ulf]

@Tyler - do you have a pic or a part# for the missing heat shield you mentioned?

Br

Ulf

[mbzse]

.../...do you have a pic or a part# for the ../.. heat shield

See attached. Part No 108 463 0090. I am uncertain if this part was mounted on all 280SL.s, or dropped after a certain chassis No. (?) Comments invited

The parts book is somewhat vague. Does not even illustrate the later type intermediate steering arm bushing kit, which was introduced on the 280SL in January 1968 (and other M-B of the period).
/Hans S

[enochbell]

Ulf,

Couple of suggestions...
-When my idler bushing wore out it began to squeak and groan, but there was no knocking
-The parts kit you show in your message looks different from the one I installed on my 1964 230sl.  I had more parts and the kit was very expensive 10 years ago
-this repair is complicated and expensive.  Given your mechanic's term "auxiliary steering rack" I suggest you get a second opinion on the repair.  It could be something as simple as replacing the steering damper.

Best,
g

[Ulf]

Thanks Hans and Enochbell, my car is a 230, not a 280 - does that make a difference regarding the heat shield? What would be the symptoms of not having this shield installed?
Replacing the steering chock seems straight-forward enough, so maybe I should just order one while we're at it :-)

Agree with the second opinion though as my mechanic is more of a generalist than a specialist...but a super nice guy!

Br

Ulf

[mbzse]

.../... my car is a 230, not a 280 - does that make a difference regarding the heat shield

No, not really

the symptoms of not having this shield installed?

The grease for your idler arm will fry and dry out earlier (and the rubber will age faster on the later, 280SL design)

I think these heat shields are NLA...  but one can make one from some sheet steel or alu.
/hans s

[Tyler S]

2 more things to check are your stabilizer bar bushings and your sub-frame mounts. Either or both can cause knocking over bumps or rough roads.

[Ulf]

Thanx, all - will give it a go :-)

[hkollan]

Ulf,

If sourcing an original heatshield turns out to be difficult  and you need to have one made,  using the shield from a 124 chassis might be a good starting point.
I suspect it will fit with minor modifications. Available on most scrapyards.

Hans

[Ulf]

It turned out to be nothing more than the anchoring plate for the hood release that somehow had worked itself loose over time...