crookedvulture

Hi guys,

How are we all? Got a question for you!
I have noticed that when I am braking, I get a single clunk coming from the offside front suspension. It doesn't happen all the time, maybe 60% of the time.
On my last MOT, there was an advisory that the Offside front upper suspension arm has play in a pin/bush. Do you think this is the cause? Has anybody experienced anything similar?

The car is now on 150K, so I am planning on overhauling the suspension anyway. Picking up a new steering damper today, and have lower ball joints on order. Are there any other bushes or parts that I should be looking at replacing?
Pretty tempted by a Bilstein Suspension Kit, thinking my shocks and springs must be near the end of their lives

Many thanks

AcousticplayerJ

Also check the flex disks and make sure they're not worn out.

ChaseMark

It is probably the ball joints...good that you have them on order. Also try to get them to do your linkage while they're at it.You should be clunk free soon enough!

alliv

Hi, just a thought, my c250 did that clunk sound when braking in reverse . Turned out to be the front wishbone bushes.

sprat sparrow

when does the clunk occur? in between 2nd and firs shift or in 3rd? do you feel it when shifting out of reverse sometimes? if so its your flex discs , at the milage you give you ought to have a look at them (front and rear) before spending a ton on other matters. use the process of elimination.

crookedvulture

Hi guys,

Sorry for the late reply. I have been away on tour most of the summer, and the car has been largely off the road due to leaking air into the fuel pipes (again).

Anyhow, it is in the garage as we speak getting the suspension checked over!
The clunk would only occur when braking, in either Drive or Reverse. Only ever clunks once, and only when the car has almost stopped.

I will keep you posted as to what the garage finds, there will be a prize for whoever guessed correctly

crookedvulture

ARB Bushes and Lower Ball Joints

Sniper73

Reason are often the aftermarket brake pads. Those brake pads would not enough fixed in the braking saddles an so they have a little bit free space to give a "clonk" by braking when you get stopped, redirected your ride and get a resstop. You know what i mean? Sorry for my english

regards

toorich

i agree with Sniper73, aftermarket brake pads are doing that to me to because they seem a bit smaller and are able to slide forward or backward when i'm braking after going from D into R or vice versa. The "clunk" is somewhat higher-pitched sound if i was to compare it to the "clunk" that happens when the tranny is downshifting while coming to a stop or when shifting from D to R or vice versa. that clunk is a bit duller and deeper sound than the brake clunk. I imagine you could simply change the brake pads for exact fit pads and be happy but the tranny clunk is something i dont know how to get rid of.

hope this helps.

keaveyd

Hi all, have what I think is the same issue on a 2001 c180. She clunks right at the bite point of stopping, and again at the exact point of take off. Logic points to something 'giving' when under load. Will post when I've had a result on the cure. Nice forum, already learned loads, thanks from this merc newbie