Struts, strut mounts, sway bar end links, bushings
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5
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From: Charlotte, NC
2002 C320 Wagon, 2002 Chrysler 300M
Struts, strut mounts, sway bar end links, bushings
I have a 2002 C320 wagon that first started showing front suspension issues through a clunking noise when going over bumps in the front passenger side. It is a very heavy clunk sound, not a light clink or something that sounds like vibration. It sounds like something large and heavy is moving more than it should.
The next symptom was the infamous creaking of a worn strut mount. Opened the hood, grabbed a flashlight, saw cracks in the rubber of the mounts. Definitely more pronounced on the passenger side. Now know for sure that I have to replace the mounts, and plan to do that this weekend. I plan to hold off on ordering struts for now, because they are quite expensive, and I need to avoid that cost for now until I know whether the struts are in bad shape (they don't take returns of course). The car doesn't "float" like a car with bad shocks, so I don't think they are toast.
I have read that the sway bar end links (bushings) have a tendency to wear out, and make a clunking sound over bumps. Anyone else had this problem, or know of another issue that presented with similar symptoms?
Thanks!
The next symptom was the infamous creaking of a worn strut mount. Opened the hood, grabbed a flashlight, saw cracks in the rubber of the mounts. Definitely more pronounced on the passenger side. Now know for sure that I have to replace the mounts, and plan to do that this weekend. I plan to hold off on ordering struts for now, because they are quite expensive, and I need to avoid that cost for now until I know whether the struts are in bad shape (they don't take returns of course). The car doesn't "float" like a car with bad shocks, so I don't think they are toast.
I have read that the sway bar end links (bushings) have a tendency to wear out, and make a clunking sound over bumps. Anyone else had this problem, or know of another issue that presented with similar symptoms?
Thanks!
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
As you mention. Strut tower rubbers, Sway links & bushes. Another thing to check is castor arm (control/thrust arm) bushes. They are silicone filled & crack & leak. They are a known weakness on these cars and usually fail before anything else.
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
2002 C320 Wagon, 2002 Chrysler 300M
Okay so I checked the nuts on the end links - they were not loose. The bushings on the end links however (those that are on the ball stud at the end that connects to the sway bar) look a little crappy. So I am thinking that I should replace them.
Also, I can twist the control arms about 2 - 3 mm by hand, which isn't a lot, but considering that I can't come anywhere close to exerting the kind of force on them with my hand that the car does when driving, I think I should replace those as well.
Thoughts?
Also, I can twist the control arms about 2 - 3 mm by hand, which isn't a lot, but considering that I can't come anywhere close to exerting the kind of force on them with my hand that the car does when driving, I think I should replace those as well.
Thoughts?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Replace the links & castor bushes.
Read this - applies to all C class - Ignore VINs
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf
Read this - applies to all C class - Ignore VINs
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
found the part # for anyone who's interested. There is only one part # for the lower inner bushing, but there are two part # for the front upper inner bushing which the normal sedans has one and the C32/55 has a different number. This is searched/found through RMEuropean data base. cannot figure out why is there a difference tho.
for all W203
Front lower inner bushing 203-333-09-14
for C230/240/320/350
Front upper inner bushing 203-333-10-14
for C32/55
Front upper inner bushing 203-333-02-14
for all W203
Front lower inner bushing 203-333-09-14
for C230/240/320/350
Front upper inner bushing 203-333-10-14
for C32/55
Front upper inner bushing 203-333-02-14
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 54
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2008 Iridium Silver E350 4matic (P2, Pano)
Replace the links & castor bushes.
Read this - applies to all C class - Ignore VINs
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf
Read this - applies to all C class - Ignore VINs
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf
