[Corradoman12]

My bet is little spring that holds the brake shoes in place, it comes away from the backplate, you have to take the disc off to see it, mine has done this but got caught against the disc and squeeled like a pig for miles, proper embarrassing

 

[Turbo]

Yeah, but that would cause a squeel, not a clicking sound. It's to thin, light and small to cause any sound that could be heard over engine and road noice..

 

[Corradoman12]

Mine did, really loud, noises changed as it moved around

 

[Thegogg]

Thanks again for the replies.

This is the first none company car i've owned in some 30 odd years so the plan is to have it as a fun car when I retire in the next year or so and do as much of the maintenance as I can myself but I haven't a clue about the cars build, mechanical set up, components etc. so I really need something like a Haynes manual in PDF to reference so where can I get one as Haynes seem to only do their online autofix option for the SLK?

I use to rally Escorts 30 odd years ago and do all the maintenance myself so I'm quite looking forward to getting some spanners in my hands again and as luck would have it my son's a time served auto electrician.

 

[Ragnar]

On my other car, a 2007 MB W203, one of the springs that goes between the parking brake shoes broke. It touched the tips of the wheel bolts, producing five very noticeable clicks per revolution.

 

[Turbo]

There isn't one for the SLK I'm afraid. I would want one too, but alas..

Best you can do is take the wheel of and yank and LIGHTLY (!!) tap on things to see if anything is loose or broken off.

I would do this on both wheels, just to be sure. Sometimes (quite often actually) a sound can seem to come from one corner, but instead be on the other..

 

[Turbo]

Do this without removing the discs first. They, especially the rear ones, can be somewhat of a pain to remove..

 

[Exjack]

Had something similar, found the problem was the bracket/plate that holds the handbrake in position had broken causing the clicking noises when the car was driven.

 

[Grin200]

I second to something touching something in the (hand) brake mechanism. I had a similar odd clicking noise moving back and forth with my CLK after installing new slightly too long wheel bolts. You haven't removed/reinstalled a wheel by any chance? It took me some time eliminating the potential sources until finally my passenger suggested "something in that whatchamacallit that looks like a camembert is touching something moving". I got to cut 5mm from each bolts and called it a day

 

[Thresherinc]

so I really need something like a Haynes manual in PDF to reference so where can I get one as Haynes seem to only do their online autofix option for the SLK?

I found this one:

Mercedes Benz R171/171 Workshop Service & Repair Manual - easymanuals.co.uk

Get the same level of information about your Mercedes Benz R171/171 that your official dealer has. Every single element of service, repair and maintenance is included in this fully updated workshop manual. From changing a wiper blade to a full engine rebuild, every procedure is covered with...

www.easymanuals.co.uk

I have no experience with them:
I also found this by Haynes, would seem to be what you're looking for, also no experience with them:

Mercedes SLK-Class Haynes Repair Manuals & Guides

haynes.com

 

[LeonardoDaBenz]

As far as we all know, ALL Mercedes manuals are proprietary and are ONLY available from MB at a cost substantially higher than $50.

Anything else is either incomplete or a pirated copy or probably both. Just so's you know.

Always ready to be corrected if I'm wrong

 

[Thresherinc]

As far as we all know, ALL Mercedes manuals are proprietary and are ONLY available from MB at a cost substantially higher than $50.
Anything else is either incomplete or a pirated copy or probably both. Just so's you know.

This is the online equivalent of a Haynes Manual, without the stripdown/rebuild, here's what they have to say about it before you purchase.
I have not purchased, although I may do.

 

[Sammyhagar]

I'd planned on going out for a cruise yesterday in what's was the nicest day of the year so far but as soon as I started to drive I could hear a click, click, clicking sound coming from the rear of the car. It was constant and speeded up when I started to go faster so I turned around went home and parked up.

This morning on checking to see if it was still there, starting up was fine but when I put the car into reverse there was a bit of a judder as if the brakes were binding which stopped as soon as I started moving. After backing out I put the car in to drive with no issues and drove some 2 or 3 miles at various speeds with no issues so I pulled off the road on to a siding. I then reversed back and forth for some 30 yards with no issues about 10 to 15 times but on the last time driving forwards the clicking noise at the rear started again so I drove home. The clicking sound remained all the way, getting quicker the faster I drove so my question is.... what could it be?

My thoughts are CV joint / drive shaft.

Depending on hownloud it is, it could possibly be the half axle boot. Mine made a faint clicking sound but it was only audible while I was actually under the car and happened to turn the rear wheel to get access to a different part of the inner wheel. There's no way I would have heard it while driving. That being said, good luck finding s replacement without replacing the whole half-axle. I have yet to find one and had to bandaid mine with a universal that wraps around. Either way, good luck.

 

[Geoff Campbell]

I'd planned on going out for a cruise yesterday in what's was the nicest day of the year so far but as soon as I started to drive I could hear a click, click, clicking sound coming from the rear of the car. It was constant and speeded up when I started to go faster so I turned around went home and parked up.

This morning on checking to see if it was still there, starting up was fine but when I put the car into reverse there was a bit of a judder as if the brakes were binding which stopped as soon as I started moving. After backing out I put the car in to drive with no issues and drove some 2 or 3 miles at various speeds with no issues so I pulled off the road on to a siding. I then reversed back and forth for some 30 yards with no issues about 10 to 15 times but on the last time driving forwards the clicking noise at the rear started again so I drove home. The clicking sound remained all the way, getting quicker the faster I drove so my question is.... what could it be?

My thoughts are CV joint / drive shaft.

Sounds like a stone in the tyre or trapped in the break calliper. I would want to check the calliper, especially if reversing cleared it.

 

[Thegogg]

Well the big reveal, what was it and the answer is...... Handbrake! Looks like a spring had either sheared or come loose and shoes had then become dislodged or loose causing the issue.

Handbrake components all removed and everything else put back together to go for a test run which was greeted by the sound of silence 😊.

Car now parked up await delivery of the new replacement parts when it will be stripped down again and then rebuild with the new parts.

Thanks all for all the interest, help and advise.

 

[jbanks15]

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