DanielFD

Even since the tempertaure went down here (2-3 weeks), ive been having a weird problem. The suspension makes knocking sounds like crazy front and back as if the ball joints are about to break but after 15 min of driving the sounds go away. The car passed government tests just a week ago with flying colors and they used machines that move around the wheel to stress joints and nothing came up. Car was also completely tested, including suspenion, a couple days before the tempurature went down and nothing was wrong then. Opinions?

Rudeney

Front noise is typically from the anti-sway bar bushings. On the older design, they were replaceable (very inexpensive and easy DIY), but the newer design has them permanently glued to the anti-sway bar and the proper fix is to lubricate where they contact the clamps. The problem is, even with lubrication, the rubber bushings will harden. I replaced mine with the old-style bushings (I had to scrape the glued-on bushing off the bar with a razor blade) and they've been fine. Rear noise is probably bad bushings on the thrust arms which will likely need replacement to correct.

DanielFD

Ohh alright ill check it out see if i can change them out. i thought those rubber parts make creaking sounds not clunking sounds

Rudeney

Clunking can be bad struts, chocks, or control arm bushings.

DanielFD

soo I was clearing out my subscription folder and noticed I hadn't replied here as to how I fixed the problem! shocks! changed them out.. great as new

xsever

Thanks for reporting back Daniel! The rear bushings on mine may require replacement soon.

Hsg08

My wife's CLK500 makes a solid thumping bass sound like (ddadada dadddaa) everytime she hits a bump or uneven pavement and that annoying sound is coming from the rear passenger side behind the back seat. I also noticed that when someone is sitting in the back seat or when her trunk compartment is full of stuff, it makes that sound constantly. What do you guys think it is?

DanielFD

Sounds most likely like shocks. Inspect the ball joint and so forth in the back, make sure everything looks good and nothing is dried up; then you'll know for sure its the shocks. not sure if there's someway to specifically test them. Maybe Rodney knows of someway.

kb24forlife24

After I replaced my shocks and springs with aftermarket parts (Bilstein and Eibach), I heard the first "squeak" when exiting the freeway. I've probably had the new suspension on for 700 miles. Is this ok?

DanielFD

Well I can tell you I was getting squeaking sounds and I tried everything to fix it. I first thought it was the shocks or the antiroll bar bushings. I had changed both because they were gone anyway and still it squeaked when going up an incline with the wheel turned. My mechanic injected all the ball joints in my car with some type of grease. its been great ever since. guess maybe the joints have dried up.

kb24forlife24

Mine squeaked in the same exact situation. What exactly did he grease and what was the grease? How much did it cost?

DanielFD

Sorry for the late reply. Saw my mechanic today and took a pic. No idea about price.

DanielFD

Thats penetrating oil by the way..

Rudeney

I would not use penetrating oil on ball joints - it's too thin. They need proper grease. Unfortunately, they are sealed and not designed to be lubricated beyond the factory assembly, so there is no official grease for them. Some people have found a way to lift the rubber dust cup and get some grease int here, so If you do that, I'd use a standard lithium suspension grease.

DanielFD

Well it worked fine with me. He injected a bit using a needle now it doesn't creak anymore.

xsever

My mechanic injected some of that oil too using a thin needle and the sounds from the front went away. I get minor sounds when cold from the back, but that is because of the bushings. I'll replace them soon.