My '87 190e 2.3 has started to give me an audible "clunk" and noticable feel when I begin to accelerate and again when I back off the gas. (204,000 miles)

I think this may be the first signal of a failing u-joint. Is this the same as the flex joint?

Easy repair?

Any other ideas on what might give me that sound?

( Does not clunk in the driveway or at stoplights.)

 

I would have the flex disks checked out first of all.

 

Though my flex-couplings were 16 years old when replaced, I never heard a clunking sound related to them. It is possible the u-joints are worn out. Get under the car and try to rotate the driveshaft back and forth (use safety jacks or a car lift) to see if there's play in the u-joints. My clunking sound is coming from the differential and needs re-shimming to take up the play that's developed over the years. It may be the same for yours.

 

I have a simalur sound on 1993 190e 2.6. Ive been told its my CV joints. I can get them rebuilt for 1,000$. So, there not getting rebuilt. lol.


On the other hand, Ive had this clicking for about 40K miles. I think if it was my cv joints they would have broke considering my driving habbits