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Incorrect Suspension Diagnosis But Maybe Not So Bad, Opinions Please
CAR: C350 2009 MILEAGE: 140,000 PROBLEM:
Loose rattle sound from driver side going over uneven road or bumps. The sound has increased over time. I had the dealer look at it and they could not find anything. They said everything was tight. COST: parts and labor $1,000
REPLACED PARTS: Strut Mounts, Strut bearings, New B4 struts, new strut hardware.
OVERVIEW:
After replacing the front struts, I started getting a rattle sound that increased in sound over the past year. It came from driver side only. The stabilizer links were replaced (knocking sound) fairly soon after.
Considering the age, I decided to replace the front control arms upper and lower incorrectly thinking ball joints. WRONG.
Turns out the lower control arms were still good (normal at 140K?) and one of the bushings in the upper control arm was cracking (definitely normal).
Pushing up and down the driver side, there is a noise. Strut seems fine.
Q1. Is it possible to improperly install a strut mount or are they sometimes defective? Q2. Do springs go bad at this mileage?
I'm going to have a mobile mechanic do an inspection but I'd like to be prepared for a repair with any parts if possible.
Does anyone have any opinions? It's definitely tied to the new struts....
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Jan 18, 2021 at 03:14 PM.
After completing a a total suspension rebuild and brake replacement on a 2009 c300 I experienced the same rattle you describe. Rattle during low speed bumps, only when accelerating? No rattle when braking?
If so, considering the work you had done, my bet is the mechanic did not install the anti rattle clips on the front calipers when putting the brakes back on. I couldn't figure out for 2 weeks what was causing the rattle. No YouTube videos or forums mentioned the clips, but I figured since they were included in the brake kit they must go somewhere so I was finally able to figure out how they fit. Rattle was gone
After completing a a total suspension rebuild and brake replacement on a 2009 c300 I experienced the same rattle you describe. Rattle during low speed bumps, only when accelerating? No rattle when braking?
If so, considering the work you had done, my bet is the mechanic did not install the anti rattle clips on the front calipers when putting the brakes back on. I couldn't figure out for 2 weeks what was causing the rattle. No YouTube videos or forums mentioned the clips, but I figured since they were included in the brake kit they must go somewhere so I was finally able to figure out how they fit. Rattle was gone
Good information to be aware! I don't believe this applies to my case. It does underscore that one needs to be thorough...
Try this...
Open all the windows, drive the car like normal and listen to the ratlle.
Gently, just a click or two, press the park brake pedal. Just a little..
If the rattle is gone, you just need to replace park brake shoes and little springs in the back,
Problems with suspension in the front dont produce rattles, but knocks when you hit a uneven road, a bump on the road or similar..
Try this...
Open all the windows, drive the car like normal and listen to the ratlle.
Gently, just a click or two, press the park brake pedal. Just a little..
If the rattle is gone, you just need to replace park brake shoes and little springs in the back,
Problems with suspension in the front dont produce rattles, but knocks when you hit a uneven road, a bump on the road or similar..
Good luck!
I appreciate the input but the noise is clearly coming from the front driver strut. Whatever the proper term is, something is loose or broken. The park brake shoe is on the rear of the car.
It does not seem you read my post in it's entirety.
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They said everything was tight.
