rattle or chatter at front of car

[hands_aus]

When I drive my car I hear a rattling noise which seems to come from the front left.

This might be where I hear it because the window is down and noises are reflected off barriers, buildings and other cars etc.

The BBB says that the auto transmission chatters or rattles if the fluid level is low OR the filter needs changing.
23/06/1999 is the last time the filter was changed. The car had 155339 miles on the clock. Since then the car has done 8290 miles.

I must say the transmission is changing quickly, smoothly and the oil is not discoloured, doesn’t smell and is at correct fluid level.

I also wondered if it is possible for the rattle to be brake pads?

Any thoughts?


Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Ricardo]

Hey Bob
I've had rattling pads on my 300td, but a little pressure on the brake pedal will stop the rattle...I'd say if touching the brake pedal doesn't change the noise, it's probably something other than brakes
Ricardo
With no rattles since changing the flex lines

[ja17]

Hello Bob,
Improperly hung exhaust is a common source of vibrations and rattles. You should have at least about a half inch or more space around any part of your exhaust and the chasis or suspension.
Worn front end parts will also rattle when traveling over bumps. Worn king pins,  link pins, tie rod ends and drag links will make front end rattles. To test for worn king and link pins, check for play or you can grease the front end and the rattles will go away for a short time.


Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[hands_aus]

Thanks Ricardo and Joe

The noise has been there for a while. It is not getting any worse. It is there after I have the car serviced.

I also wondered what a timing chain rattle sounded like.

I went through the records for my car and found that in 9/1977 the engine had been "overhauled" by the MB dealer servicing the car. The car had 93035 miles on the clock.

I rang the dealer in Sydney hoping they would have records (yeah I am an optimist) but they said they had shifted 3 times and there had been a fire where all records were lost.
However, they are Sydneys' largest MB dealer and they said that if the owners manual shows that they had done an "overhaul", the engine would have been completely rebuilt using genuine MB parts. That was 70629 miles and 28 years ago.

Maybe I need to turn my old radio on and UP and stop listening to the car.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Benz Dr.]

Broken or loose shocks make the most noise up front. You'll need to give us a lot more info.

  Does it makes noise turning, braking, slowing up, speeding up, going over bumps, engine cold/hot or something else?

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[Bearcat]

I had an annoying rattle as if a baffle was loose coming from the front end....found it was actually the grill was loose and vibrating.

(Just had an early sunday morning blast....they dont make cars like these anymore and I have driven the lot!)

280SL 1970
S500 2000
E300 TD Est 1998
Piper SuperCub!

[hands_aus]

Guys,
I want to thank you all for your input to this discussion.
Bearcat, I put black silastic on the loose grill pieces about 2 years ago.
Dr Dan, the rattle noise is there whether I am just cruising to a stop or taking off gently or in a hurry. The car can be hot or cold.
Frustrated, I got on my back under the  car today with my torch. Not much room BTW.
I poked around and pushed and pulled at things.
The front suspension links etc all seem fairly new. They are well greased because I watch the mechanic as he does it. I actually had to show him where all the grease nipples are.

There is a big circular plate on the back/inside of the front LHS brake caliper that vibrates and rattles when I touch it.
I checked the same thing on the RHS caliper and there was no noise of any sort.
I looked in the BBB and that calls it a "cover plate".
Now I actually think that is the problem because the rattle sound is similar to the one I hear when driving.  
I can't find anywhere in the BBB that says anything about tightening a loose "cover Plate".
So, do I need to worry about that "cover plate" vibrating or can I leave it until I have the front brakes rebuilt maybe later this year?
thanks

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Benz Dr.]

The cover plate you describe is held on by 3 allen head screws. I think you have to remove the caliper and rotor to get at them.
Aside from being annoying, it won't cause any real harm but you should inspect everything carefully on the front end. It's very odd this cover would be loose and not something that would just come loose on its' own. That's why I think, for the sake of safety, that you should look everything over carefully. Someone was in there once and didn't put things back together very well.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[ja17]

Hello Bob,
Check the aluminum heatshield above the exaust front pipes. These are notorious for becoming loose and causting these kind of noises. It is above the front pipes, between the exhaust and the floor pans on the right side toward the front.

Also for our non-Australian readers "torch" is what us yanks call a "flashlight" ! (I learned this while down under at the Rally.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[hands_aus]

Hey Dan and Joe,

Dan, Thanks for the advice. I can be a worry wort at times so I will check it out just to be safe.

Joe, I don't think my car has those heat shields. The only ones I remember seeing are near the exhaust manifold, but I will look with my "torch".
The noise definitely seems to be more on the LHS front of the car.

Joe, did you pick up any other aussie terms while in Aus? besides the usual...MATE.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto