Front end rubber cruching noise over bumps
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Chicago IL
02 C240 Black
Front end rubber cruching noise over bumps
As the title states I've been getting this "rubber cruching" noise while driving slowly over bumpy or uneven road surfaces. I raised my car on a lift and everything feels tight. I have zero play in all the balljoints. My thrust arm bushings are dry (no fluid leaking out of them or tears). So I am thinking it might be the strut mounts or struts any ideas?
Thanks
Thanks
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From: VA
2002 C320
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: VA
2002 C320
Check to make sure they're tight first before you take it to the dealer.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 268
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From: VA
2002 C320
Check out InstallUniversity.com for the front sway bar install step by step. The endlinks are where the sway bar meets the tie rod, and there is a bushing that pads that link. If that nut/bolt is loose you will get a clunking sound going over bumps and especially when you shift the weight from one side to the other.
Also, don't get under the car with just a floor jack. Use ramps or jack stands. This is for your safety. It will be easier to deal with the sway bars using ramps.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: VA
2002 C320
Post your findings after you check it out. Also, grab a hold of the tie rod and shake the ***** out of it. Do that before and after you tighten (if you need to tighten). If it moves around and feels like popping a knuckle, try to tighten the nut, if after tightening it still does it, you need a new bushing.
If it was loose and tightening it fixes it, get some Loctite Blue threadlock ($3 at Lowe's) and put that on there. Tighten the ***** out of it and let the threadlock sit for a half hour or so. The MB spec is 18 footpounds, but I learned it's better to crank it.
Sorry for the multiple posts, I just figured if you're anything like me you'll prefer to knock it out in one shot if possible.
If it was loose and tightening it fixes it, get some Loctite Blue threadlock ($3 at Lowe's) and put that on there. Tighten the ***** out of it and let the threadlock sit for a half hour or so. The MB spec is 18 footpounds, but I learned it's better to crank it.
Sorry for the multiple posts, I just figured if you're anything like me you'll prefer to knock it out in one shot if possible.
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
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C240
excellent info
just read this....
http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/...frontsway.html
I 'll give it a try tomorrow
Thx again
http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/...frontsway.html
I 'll give it a try tomorrow
Thx again
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago IL
02 C240 Black
Thanks for all the replies guys.
Question... when you say...
Are you suggesting the sway bar bushings that everyone is talking about or my thrust arm hydro bushings?
Question... when you say...
I know you checked --- but sounds like bushings to me.
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12
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C240
front end squeak
I just greased the sway bar bushings today...helped alot ...although not 100% fixed.....I guess next step is to replace them????
Rookie question......What the heck is a Thrust Arm Hydro Bushing????
Rookie question......What the heck is a Thrust Arm Hydro Bushing????
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 49
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From: Chicago IL
02 C240 Black
Rookie question......What the heck is a Thrust Arm Hydro Bushing
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...grease+bushing
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From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Hey guys, old thread but the topic I am curious about. Does the failure of the bushings sound like a rubbing... almost like when you rub a wheel on the fender?
And is this an issue that can create further problems? Thanks.
And is this an issue that can create further problems? Thanks.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Read this & check sway bushes & links
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...need-help.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...need-help.html
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From: FLORIDA
2003 C240
Call me ignorant but as I was shopping online for bushings I saw
"rear outer control arm bushing, Lower control arm bushing" and that got me confused!
http://www.car-stuff.com/store/?N=11...668+11921+9198
How many do I need to replace all front & rear?
Is this correct....?
FRONT : 1 left Low arm & 1 right Low arm =2
REAR: 1 left Low arm & 1 right Low arm =2
Total of 4 LC arm bushing
OR
FRONT: 2 left / 2 right = 4
REAR: 1 outer arm Left side & 1 outer arm right
Total of 2 Out arm bushing
DOes the FRONT have an outer arm bushing too?
Does the REAR have a lower arm bushing?
I am so ignorant about suspension...SORRY.
"rear outer control arm bushing, Lower control arm bushing" and that got me confused!
http://www.car-stuff.com/store/?N=11...668+11921+9198
How many do I need to replace all front & rear?
Is this correct....?
FRONT : 1 left Low arm & 1 right Low arm =2
REAR: 1 left Low arm & 1 right Low arm =2
Total of 4 LC arm bushing
OR
FRONT: 2 left / 2 right = 4
REAR: 1 outer arm Left side & 1 outer arm right
Total of 2 Out arm bushing
DOes the FRONT have an outer arm bushing too?
Does the REAR have a lower arm bushing?
I am so ignorant about suspension...SORRY.
Last edited by danev6972; Mar 27, 2009 at 10:01 PM.
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2003 C320 4matic sport
sorry to drag up an old thread but after reading through old topics for an hour, I think i confused myself more.
I'm having the same issues as the OP, am i suppose to e getting sway bar bushings, thrust arm bushings, control arms bushings, or something else? What about for the rear? How much am I looking at?
I'm having the same issues as the OP, am i suppose to e getting sway bar bushings, thrust arm bushings, control arms bushings, or something else? What about for the rear? How much am I looking at?
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
OK - suspect number one is the castor bushes (also known as thrust arm bushes or control arm bushes). They crack & leak & I have posted the factory bulletin multiple times.
Suspect number two are sway bushes and links. All are cheap. Castor bushes are under $20 each.
See pic - no 18 is castor bush. sway bushes & links are obvious.
Suspect number two are sway bushes and links. All are cheap. Castor bushes are under $20 each.
See pic - no 18 is castor bush. sway bushes & links are obvious.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 420
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
Quick Question
I read the posts above but cant seem to fine a solid answer.
I have this knocking and clunk sound in the front end suspension. On normal, uneven roads, theres a knocking sound that feels like my front end is lose and going over speed bumps, theres a clunk sound.
Already had my strut bushings replaced, so no more squeking sound, and had the sway bar bearing lubricated, all noise was gone, but after 10k miles later, the clunk/knocking is now audiable. Im thinking its the sway bar bushings, but my mechanic guesses its the sway bar links.
Can someone tell me exactly what needs to be replaced?
Both sway bar bushings/links all together?
Thanks,
I have this knocking and clunk sound in the front end suspension. On normal, uneven roads, theres a knocking sound that feels like my front end is lose and going over speed bumps, theres a clunk sound.
Already had my strut bushings replaced, so no more squeking sound, and had the sway bar bearing lubricated, all noise was gone, but after 10k miles later, the clunk/knocking is now audiable. Im thinking its the sway bar bushings, but my mechanic guesses its the sway bar links.
Can someone tell me exactly what needs to be replaced?
Both sway bar bushings/links all together?
Thanks,
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
OK - suspect number one is the castor bushes (also known as thrust arm bushes or control arm bushes). They crack & leak & I have posted the factory bulletin multiple times.
Suspect number two are sway bushes and links. All are cheap. Castor bushes are under $20 each.
See pic - no 18 is castor bush. sway bushes & links are obvious.
Suspect number two are sway bushes and links. All are cheap. Castor bushes are under $20 each.
See pic - no 18 is castor bush. sway bushes & links are obvious.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
I read the posts above but cant seem to fine a solid answer.
I have this knocking and clunk sound in the front end suspension. On normal, uneven roads, theres a knocking sound that feels like my front end is lose and going over speed bumps, theres a clunk sound.
Already had my strut bushings replaced, so no more squeking sound, and had the sway bar bearing lubricated, all noise was gone, but after 10k miles later, the clunk/knocking is now audiable. Im thinking its the sway bar bushings, but my mechanic guesses its the sway bar links.
Can someone tell me exactly what needs to be replaced?
Both sway bar bushings/links all together?
Thanks,
I have this knocking and clunk sound in the front end suspension. On normal, uneven roads, theres a knocking sound that feels like my front end is lose and going over speed bumps, theres a clunk sound.
Already had my strut bushings replaced, so no more squeking sound, and had the sway bar bearing lubricated, all noise was gone, but after 10k miles later, the clunk/knocking is now audiable. Im thinking its the sway bar bushings, but my mechanic guesses its the sway bar links.
Can someone tell me exactly what needs to be replaced?
Both sway bar bushings/links all together?
Thanks,
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 2
From: Nor Cal
A Car
Thing is my mechanic wants to charge me $70 just to diagnose the problem, i said no, as i know the problem is either links or bushings. I want to get the entire problem fix the first time and not have to keep bringing it back cause he will keep charging me everytime i come see him. Im doing some major maintainence on the car right now, and every penny i can save is worth everything right now.
Thats why i want to nail down exactly what the problem is.
I might as well do both links and bushings, but i wanted to clearify if i only need links.
Thats why i want to nail down exactly what the problem is.
I might as well do both links and bushings, but i wanted to clearify if i only need links.
