danev6972

Hey all.
I have replaced a few things to get rid of the front knocking sound over bumps @ slow speeds.

Lower control arm bushing R/L-Replaced
Left In/out tie rod end -- Replaced(had play per shop)
Sway bar links R/L -- Replaced

STILL KNOCKS!!!!

Soon to be installed: Front L/R in/out bearings
Front L/R upper arm bushing
Speedybenz camber arm

What else is there???
I read about worn out anti-roll bar links. Is that the same as the sway bar?

Then there's the arm ball joints. Any ideas where I can get these online reasonably?...Been searching with no luck for '03 c240.

PLZ PLZ HELP.

bdgdl08

Yes, anti-roll bars are the same as sway/anti-sway bars. As for the other stuff... ...sorry. Good luck, I had the same problem with my old CLK.

FrankW

check the sway bar bushing bracket if they're tighten.
check the strut upper mount on the shock.

you can get most OEM parts from rmeuropean.com. not don't think I saw the ball joint sold separately, so you might need to replace the arms.

Brad460

Did you change the struts themselves?? I just had to change out a rear shock that was "clunking". I initially thought it was some linkage issues, but when I took the shock out, drove the car, the noise was gone. Unfortuntely you can't do that with the front...

danev6972

I checked the driver's strut mount like frankW suggested.
I tried to tighten the bolt but the whole thing(bolt & metal plate) turns and does not tighten. ....see pic........
The passenger side mount does not budge at all.

Do I need a new mount or something else is wrong?

I really need to get this solved...I'm tired of chasing the problem & spending too much.
Thanks for all you input.

PS: Knocking was there before & after cupkit was installed.

dmatre

Your hand is covering the critical part in your picture.

You need to tighten the nut with a box-end wrench, while holding the center rod of the strut stationary using an allen (hex) wrench.

Otherwise, turning the nut simply turns the whole center rod/nut/mount.

danev6972

Thanks dmatre. I figured it out right after my post although I did it a little different...It's tight now. I hope this will make a difference. I will find out tomorrow when I drive to work.

ANyway a question for all: When you turn your steering wheel about an inch or so to the L & R rapidly...does it make a sound?...Mine does...Just want to know if it's normal.

Thanks.

LinDenKid

what kind of noise? and car on or off?

danev6972

Either way but better if it's on & wheel unlocked.

It sounds like a dull knock & feels like it has a little 'play' to it. At least mine anyway.

TruTaing

Sounds like your sway bar end links are not tight. Maybe the sway bar bushing brackets need to be tightened also.

Tighten wheel bearings?

Maybe your wheels / tires are hitting your suspension?

Something just seems to be LOOSE.

danev6972

Mechanic says it sounds like it's in the shaft itself. Could be a bushing in the shaft w/c is very difficult...

Man this car is falling apart it seems. My first & Last Benz for sure.
Going back to BMW or try a Lexus maybe. I might just get an F150 ford truck.

maverik259

how many miles are on your car? i mean it is 7 years old bro, things tend to start breaking after x amt of years in any car! hence why i bought an extended warranty for my benz!

danev6972

It has 66,000 mi. Point taken... although I had a 1995 325is BMW before I bought the Benz that I drove for 10 years w/o as many problems.
Water pump was the only major repair. Others were very minor like power window switches & of course the regular maintenance items.
It had 116,000 mi when I got rid of it.

Anybody with steering shaft problems though?

Glyn M Ruck

Problem can be outer steering rack bushes. Must look at sway bar links - they are frequently trouble.

danev6972

Sway bar links are fine so it must be the bushes then?
Is this a DIY or a pros job?

Thanks glyn.