Max...yes the idler arm idler arm is bad? Or yes the idler arm is supposed to move like that? Thanks!

I had a similar pop on my 190d and I had to tighten up,the strut to knuckle bolts and it went away

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97 e300d, 78 300Dt, 95 E300d, 94 E320 estate

Sorry, "Yes" the movement in the idler arm could be your culprit. The kit to rebuild them is cheap, I'd do that first.

While you are under the car, grab each steering link and push-pull hard. If you get any movement in any of the joints, those links (or at least the joints) need to be replaced.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Thanks max, I’m doing the idkervarm today and wil report back. Did you check out my first video of the center link and tie rods? I swear they’ve moved like that since I put them in :/

Interesting question on the idler arm...my FSM, the hard copy that came with my car, sayd to torque the idler arm self locking nut to 90-100nm....but the one I found online says to torque it to 150nm....which one should I go by?

I did replace this bushing 2 years ago and it has failed, and I used the online guide for torque specs, not my FSM...maybe the reason it failed early?

Replaced the idler arm, torqued to 100nm. Front end pop is still there, but seems to be less pronounced. Steering he tightened up nice though.

After idler arm replacement, an alignment is in order right?

This front end pop is driving me crazy. I don’t want to just throw parts at the problem :/

Any help is greatly appreciated

Loose PS motor mount bolts, or loose rear engine support bolts?

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

On my screen, your video was completely washed out / white and I could not see a thing.


Did you check all the steering tie rods / tie rod ends for play? How about the steering damper?

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Thanks max, the tie rods, tie rod ends, center link, and steering damper show no signs of wear or failure. After replacing the idler arm bushings, I took it in for an alignment at a shop that specializes in alignment. It’s worth mentioning that this is a different shop from the previous one, which said they couldn’t find the problem.

The alignment specialists could also, not find a problem nor duplicate the pop after alignment. They said my steering and suspension components were in tip top shape, makes sense since I rebuilt the front suspension and steering 3-4 years ago.

On the way hone I tried to duplicate the pop but it was not present....at all....maybe the alignment fixed it? Idk since they didn’t report anything drastic, except that it was slightly out of alignment, which makes sense since I replaced the idler arm...but why is the very noticeable pop gone???

See why this is driving me bonkers??

I’ll report back what I experience over the next day or two...also, motor mounts are fine and snug