Front Suspension Clunk
10-11-2011, 03:34 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Front Suspension Clunk
Have a 2011 C350, almost 6k on it now, unmodified stock suspension. In the last few weeks there is a subtle hollow sounding clunk emanating from the front passenger side suspension. I can hear it going over rough roads, or speed bumps etc. It's like a "clunk-clunk" as the strut travels down then up. The sharper the bump the more prevalent the noise.
I've read all the "clunking" articles around MBW and have read that this problem is frequently attributed to the torque arms or dampers.
Bringing the car into the dealer tomorrow and I want to go educated... so what is the most likely cause of this?
Enlighten me - it's driving me nuts...
I've read all the "clunking" articles around MBW and have read that this problem is frequently attributed to the torque arms or dampers.
Bringing the car into the dealer tomorrow and I want to go educated... so what is the most likely cause of this?
Enlighten me - it's driving me nuts...
10-11-2011, 05:35 PM
#2
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Have a 2011 C350, almost 6k on it now, unmodified stock suspension. In the last few weeks there is a subtle hollow sounding clunk emanating from the front passenger side suspension. I can hear it going over rough roads, or speed bumps etc. It's like a "clunk-clunk" as the strut travels down then up. The sharper the bump the more prevalent the noise.
I've read all the "clunking" articles around MBW and have read that this problem is frequently attributed to the torque arms or dampers.
Bringing the car into the dealer tomorrow and I want to go educated... so what is the most likely cause of this?
Enlighten me - it's driving me nuts...
I've read all the "clunking" articles around MBW and have read that this problem is frequently attributed to the torque arms or dampers.
Bringing the car into the dealer tomorrow and I want to go educated... so what is the most likely cause of this?
Enlighten me - it's driving me nuts...
The torque arm bushings in my '08 have been replaced twice but in my case, the one-time sound was heard when changing direction with the wheels cramped over.
10-13-2011, 10:42 AM
#7
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223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
See this thread and others with a similar topic:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-struts-2.html
The LI32.25-P-048381 TSB was mentioned, I did not check that but another one says:
Several causes are possible:
1. Head bearings on front axle suspension struts are too stiff (Shore hardness).
Note:
Noises from the head bearing occur on more uneven surfaces and sound relatively dull.
This cause affects only a small, limited production batch! Pay attention to the VIN restriction for head bearings (EPC:
"Bearing, suspension strut to body") in Validity section! On vehicles outside the restriction range, the head bearing is
not the cause of the noise and may therefore not be replaced.
2. FA shock absorber
Note:
Noises from the shock absorber are audible on slightly uneven surfaces and sound rather more metallic.
3. Torsion bar linkage
Note:
Noises caused by a torsion bar linkage only occur in a very small number of cases on this model series.
This means that this is generally not the cause and the procedure described below must therefore always be adhered
to.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-struts-2.html
The LI32.25-P-048381 TSB was mentioned, I did not check that but another one says:
Several causes are possible:
1. Head bearings on front axle suspension struts are too stiff (Shore hardness).
Note:
Noises from the head bearing occur on more uneven surfaces and sound relatively dull.
This cause affects only a small, limited production batch! Pay attention to the VIN restriction for head bearings (EPC:
"Bearing, suspension strut to body") in Validity section! On vehicles outside the restriction range, the head bearing is
not the cause of the noise and may therefore not be replaced.
2. FA shock absorber
Note:
Noises from the shock absorber are audible on slightly uneven surfaces and sound rather more metallic.
3. Torsion bar linkage
Note:
Noises caused by a torsion bar linkage only occur in a very small number of cases on this model series.
This means that this is generally not the cause and the procedure described below must therefore always be adhered
to.
Trending Topics
10-13-2011, 05:23 PM
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I got sick and had to cancel my dealer appointment, but am going to reschedule for next week. I'll print out this thread before I do!
Cheers,
M
Cheers,
M
10-17-2011, 10:37 PM
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Dealer replaced both struts under warranty, although only one really needed replacing. No more noise.
Hope this helps someone in the future.
Hope this helps someone in the future.
10-21-2011, 03:25 AM
#11
Junior Member
See this thread and others with a similar topic:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-struts-2.html
The LI32.25-P-048381 TSB was mentioned, I did not check that but another one says:
Several causes are possible:
1. Head bearings on front axle suspension struts are too stiff (Shore hardness).
Note:
Noises from the head bearing occur on more uneven surfaces and sound relatively dull.
This cause affects only a small, limited production batch! Pay attention to the VIN restriction for head bearings (EPC:
"Bearing, suspension strut to body") in Validity section! On vehicles outside the restriction range, the head bearing is
not the cause of the noise and may therefore not be replaced.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-struts-2.html
The LI32.25-P-048381 TSB was mentioned, I did not check that but another one says:
Several causes are possible:
1. Head bearings on front axle suspension struts are too stiff (Shore hardness).
Note:
Noises from the head bearing occur on more uneven surfaces and sound relatively dull.
This cause affects only a small, limited production batch! Pay attention to the VIN restriction for head bearings (EPC:
"Bearing, suspension strut to body") in Validity section! On vehicles outside the restriction range, the head bearing is
not the cause of the noise and may therefore not be replaced.
Ich had both shock absorbers replaced under warranty and 80% of the noise is gone but there ist still some very little clunking.
05-15-2013, 03:04 PM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
See this thread and others with a similar topic:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-struts-2.html
The LI32.25-P-048381 TSB was mentioned, I did not check that but another one says:
Several causes are possible:
1. Head bearings on front axle suspension struts are too stiff (Shore hardness).
Note:
Noises from the head bearing occur on more uneven surfaces and sound relatively dull.
This cause affects only a small, limited production batch! Pay attention to the VIN restriction for head bearings (EPC:
"Bearing, suspension strut to body") in Validity section! On vehicles outside the restriction range, the head bearing is
not the cause of the noise and may therefore not be replaced.
2. FA shock absorber
Note:
Noises from the shock absorber are audible on slightly uneven surfaces and sound rather more metallic.
3. Torsion bar linkage
Note:
Noises caused by a torsion bar linkage only occur in a very small number of cases on this model series.
This means that this is generally not the cause and the procedure described below must therefore always be adhered
to.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-struts-2.html
The LI32.25-P-048381 TSB was mentioned, I did not check that but another one says:
Several causes are possible:
1. Head bearings on front axle suspension struts are too stiff (Shore hardness).
Note:
Noises from the head bearing occur on more uneven surfaces and sound relatively dull.
This cause affects only a small, limited production batch! Pay attention to the VIN restriction for head bearings (EPC:
"Bearing, suspension strut to body") in Validity section! On vehicles outside the restriction range, the head bearing is
not the cause of the noise and may therefore not be replaced.
2. FA shock absorber
Note:
Noises from the shock absorber are audible on slightly uneven surfaces and sound rather more metallic.
3. Torsion bar linkage
Note:
Noises caused by a torsion bar linkage only occur in a very small number of cases on this model series.
This means that this is generally not the cause and the procedure described below must therefore always be adhered
to.
UPDATE: My SA didnt know about it but one of the service tech came out and we drove the car over speed bumps and he knew exactly what it was without me mentioning the TSB. Will be repaired under warranty. I have 48,775 miles.
Thanks to Vipsa and Lilbenz230 for mentioning this out to me on another thread.
Last edited by aznmode; 05-15-2013 at 07:16 PM.
12-11-2013, 05:38 AM
#13
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2012 C200 CGI
I have the same issue on my 2012 C200CGI, problem started after lowering my car with 5000kms. Dealer replaced it under warranty knowing I lowered my car, noise was gone and all good until now. 1 year later the same problem again, now the dealer won't replace it saying it was caused by my lowering springs... a whole 25mm lower with H&R sports caused this lol. Can MB not honor TSBs saying it was caused by my aftermarket springs? Also will a 2009 TSB still be in effect on a 2012?
12-12-2013, 02:20 PM
#14
Senior Member
I had the same problem but only when i put on the h&r super sport springs. The clunking was from loose bolts. check them all and torque them down that was my problem. good luck.
04-26-2014, 04:31 PM
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W204
I've also had the clunking noise mentioned above about 2 months ago. It was clunking very frequently for 2 days after the rain here in So Cal. I just took my 2010 C300 into the dealer yesterday at 48k miles, the techs can't replicate the clunking noise and is considering not changing anything.
Are there any particular ways I can make the clunking noise again?
Are there any particular ways I can make the clunking noise again?
04-26-2014, 04:37 PM
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W204
04-26-2014, 04:42 PM
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Nope. Rain has nothing to do with it. I was able to replicate my issue regardless of the weather. When I brought it in to the dealer, the Mercedes tech knew exactly what I was talking about (he mentioned a car came in for the same reason) but my service advisor didn't know about it. Luckily that particular tech came out to check it.
Last edited by aznmode; 04-26-2014 at 04:44 PM.
04-26-2014, 04:47 PM
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W204
Thank you very much Aznmode!
Nope. Rain has nothing to do with it. I was able to replicate my issue regardless of the weather. When I brought it in to the dealer, the Mercedes tech knew exactly what I was talking about (he mentioned a car came in for the same reason) but my service advisor didn't know about it. Luckily that particular tech came out to check it.
