purplegrog

Hi all,

I am working on diagnosting (on my 2003 E320) a clunking sound I've been getting from my driver side front end when going over minor bumps. The sound is pretty disturbing but I'm not sure if it's more cosmetic than critical. About six months ago, I replaced the lower ball joints on both sides. while that solved most of the issues I was having, I knew the uppers needed to be replaced. I recently replaced the upper ball joint on the driver side, but sadly in the process think I may have damaged the boot on the lower ball joint, so replaced the lower ball joint again. Most of the noise is gone and the car handles better, but I still have that disturbing clunk.

I am about to try replacing the lower control arm / thrust arm (this guy: http://tinyurl.com/pd7arrp ). but I'm hesitant to do so because searching forums seems to indicate the culprit may be the sway bar bushings.

Is it kosher to disconnect the swaybar end links and drive the car for troubleshooting purposes to see if the noise goes away? The idea of disconnected a suspension component and just driving around is anathema to me but it seems like plenty of other people on other forums have done it without issue. Are there any other culprits I should be looking at for clunks going over minor bumps?

N_Jay

Sway bar links can almost always be disconnected without problems.


They only carry a load in corners and when one wheel encounters a bump or dip that the other does not.

purplegrog

Thanks for the quick reply! Any thoughts on my plan of action (i.e. the control arm)? I can't think of anything else that would make a clunk like that over small bumps.

N_Jay

Sorry, I have not had to learn where W211 front clunks come from (yet)

2.7Tallroader

I did the same thing you did when I had a clunk in the front. I decided to just replace the lower ball joints but still had the clunking. I replaced the front tension struts, bought parts to replace the upper arms and and lower arms. The upper arms had no play after 100K miles so I replaced the bushings on the lower arms. This took care of the clunking.

purplegrog

Are you saying you changed the bushing in the control arm that houses the lower ball joint? or a different component?

SEC1939

not so easy to do lots going on in he front end of these E's. I have hadthe same problems over the years. OK now Ball joints comtrol arms and then some. But with 195,000 on mine it's expected I guess

Lil754boy

i just did ball joint and i still here clunking as well

2.7Tallroader

The arm that holds the ball joint has a bushing, that needs to be replaced. The strut arms need to be replaced as well.

purplegrog

Not that I'm planning on driving with it while I have the clunk, but if it is coming from that bushing, is it safe to drive?

purplegrog

Update: I changed out the lower control arm, thrust / strut arm, and tie rod end, and the clunk is completely gone. I previously replaced the upper control arm and ball joint and the lower ball joint, so with the exception of the shock and swaybar end link I basically have all new suspension on the driver side. It has made a huge difference in driving and overall ride. When the weather warms up a bit I will do the passenger side and try to post photos.

vtgs

I too had a clunk. It turns out it is a sway bar bushing. I am being told that you can't just buy the bushing you have to buy the sway bar and bushings. Plus you have to drop the sub frame to replace the sway bar.


Does anyone have experience with this?