akbro93704

I have a problem with my car where under medium-hard braking on rough roads, the front end has this "rolling" knock sound. Especially noticeable when Im braking for a speed bump--the second I hit the speed bump, CLUNK. All of the bushings and sway bars look good and are tight, so the dealer is replacing both front struts as well as the strut bearings... anyone else have this problem?? Seems quite 'serious' that they're replacing the struts :-/

My cars an '08 C300 sport, 26k miles.

albert101

I had the same problem but only on one side. I had the right strut replaced. I thought mine was a fluke incident since the dealer said they never encountered anyone else with the same problem. But now I have a feeling is must be a rare design flaw.

RLE

Better now than five miles after warranty expiration. BTW, you should be off the brakes when crossing a speed bump.

akbro93704

Yes, I know, but braking while hitting a speed bump was the best way to show the dealer the sound.

akbro93704

Good to know someone else had the problem and it was remedied!

kevinwithdabenz

should just replace with coilovers !

SIDE2SIDE

I have a 2010 c300 with onlare the ay 9000 miles and had a knocking sound when I braked hard or under WOT. It was the rear engine mount was broken. The roads here in Chicago are the worst. If the struts don't fix your problem then have them check the engine mounts.

lfilomeno

I had the same problem on the passenger side. Took it to the dealer nad they change the struts and the noise was still there. change the shock absorber and the noise was gone. Now my left reat tail lamp is tuck like if I am applying the brake!

i_am_amused

I have a clunk/knock when the suspension fully unloads while cresting a rise. Dealer inspection revealed leaking left-side struts and those were replaced, but the sound still occurs. Dealer can't diagnose it. Time for a trip to an indie

w204tr

I had the same problem and had my left strut changed(from warranty) during 15,000km Service A.

I know couple of others who had the same problem, and had their both struts changes. It seems that it is a chronical issue for the 204s. Mine is 2010 model by the way.

Better to have them checked while you still have the warranty.

akbro93704

Update--

For the past three weeks my car has been in and out of the dealer shop...they finally replaced both front struts and all the other required components today, but I can't pick up my car until tomorrow. They were having issues ordering parts, back-ordered stuff, etc. Needless to say I'm not happy with the time it's taking/ took to fix this problem. Hopefully it really is fixed.

vodka

Hello! I have the same problem, when i hit the speed bump. I already took the car to my dealer, but the noise is still there. Now, that i know i'm not the only one with that problem, I'll wisit my dealer again...

dcjwlee

I had the front sway bar replaced (I think). I'll check the invoice and post the exact part later. The tech found it during a test drive and replaced it while the car was still in the shop and I was in a loaner.

lfilomeno

Can someone confirm if this strut issues is a common failure on the W204 models? Mines (300 Sport) had the suspension noise issue on the left front side. They change the shocks, and struts and the noise dissapeared but now I have it on the drivers side as well! This is my daily driver and can't afford to have the car in the dearler for weeks! So much for German Engineering! Don't got me wrong. Love the car and the way it feels but dealing with the local MB dealer (there is only one down here) is not a pleasant experience.

akbro93704

Yes, because both mine were placed per a TSB meaning other cars have had the issue.( LI32.25-P-048381). I feel you on the dealer issues!! Dealer here in Fresno is terrible.

lfilomeno

akbro93704:

Thanks for your prompt response. What is a TSB (excuse my ignorance)? And what is ( LI32.25-P-048381)? Dealer support seem to vary from place to place but the treatment you get at mines has not been good. I had another "luxury" car and thay always make me feel at ease. Ahhhhh, the perks of owning an MB?

akbro93704

A TSB is a service bulletin...basically something a manufacture issues when there's a problem that keeps coming up with a certain car and a technician has found a fix. Dealers have access to TSB's. I believe that number is the number of the bulletin, it was listed on my service write-up.

mac911

Can anyone confirm if I might have the issue?

When I do medium/hard braking say to a stop sign, right as the car comes to the full "stop," I hear a knock somewhere up front. It only does it when fully stopping though, so it made me wonder if it's just a bit dirty brakes or something like from the last time I washed the car?

Let me know. Thanks!

lfilomeno

akbro9704: Thanks fro your rsponse. Do we as MB vehicle owners have access to these TSB's? If so, where can I find them?

C300Sport

This site seems pretty comprehensive but there are others. Some issues with our cars are not TSBs but Star Bulletins which are only internal within MB. Those you generally have to search for on the forums, etc.

http://www.allworldauto.com/tsbs/200...69-2008-1.html

lfilomeno

Thanks for the link. Will check it out.

SIDE2SIDE

I had a cv boot. sway bar, engine mount, and both frony struts replaced. i have 9500 miles and just boughtthe car a month ago as a certified pre=own. Not sure how this car was driven before I got it but the roads here in Chicago look like the Baghdad airport. Otherwise I love the car. My other car is a fully modded 335i soits nice to have car that is easy going and easy on the bumps. Still surprising though that so much needed replacement this soon.

justthinking

how loud is the sound?
do you have to turn off the radio and let the window down to hear the clunk sound??

J__

sorry for bringing an old thread up, but Recently I'm having the same issue. Started 1 week after getting my H&R sport springs installed, no thump over bumps but creaking when turning the wheel to full lock. MB replaced strut bearing and sound was gone. 1 year later now, the creaking sound on full steering lock is back, including a new sound of the "rolling thump" when braking over rough surface/speed bump. This time MB refused to fix it under warranty because they said it was caused by my lowering springs, saying they already fixed it once. The service advisor was nice and told me to get the old springs put back on and take it to another dealership and hope they won't be able to tell I had the car lowered.

If this is a TSB issue with the strut mounts, I'm thinking this is a waste of time and going to get coilovers to replace the whole thing. If I switch out the strut mounts again, it'll probably mess up next year again =(

Didn't know these things break so fast..

Another question is anyone have the TSB number for this issue? thnx

J__

it's pretty loud, and you can 'feel' it with the peddle and steering wheel. The sound resonates through the cabin and the sensation is very very similar to when the ABS kicks in on slippery surface braking. Sounds very much like ABS kicking in as well.