Suspension Issues
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 111
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From: Miami, FL
2004 CLK500 - W209 - Cabrio
Suspension Issues
Hello All,
I have diligently searched the forums for my specific scenario and wanted some opinions on what i should do next. There hasn't necessarily been a specific answer. I had the clicking sound in the front wheel well and a bad ride. I just purchased my 2004 clk500. Cabrio. Now I went ahead and made investement in changing the following up front.
-Lower / Upper Control Arm, Sway bar links. and it seems my ride is still overwhelmingly bumpy. I feel every single bump in the road and my car feels weird when i hit larger bumbs. Almost like there's some kind of torsion in the body. What should i change next ? maybe some has had a similar experience.I thought my car would ride like new after changing this. So im quite dissapointed. I have a buddy that has the same car non cabrio and it rides muchhhh smoother/bumpier.
fyi: ive also just purchased new 18" wheels from powerwheelspro / with new tires so ive ruled that out. fyi they looked lovely.
your feedback and opinions are much appreciated.
I have diligently searched the forums for my specific scenario and wanted some opinions on what i should do next. There hasn't necessarily been a specific answer. I had the clicking sound in the front wheel well and a bad ride. I just purchased my 2004 clk500. Cabrio. Now I went ahead and made investement in changing the following up front.
-Lower / Upper Control Arm, Sway bar links. and it seems my ride is still overwhelmingly bumpy. I feel every single bump in the road and my car feels weird when i hit larger bumbs. Almost like there's some kind of torsion in the body. What should i change next ? maybe some has had a similar experience.I thought my car would ride like new after changing this. So im quite dissapointed. I have a buddy that has the same car non cabrio and it rides muchhhh smoother/bumpier.
fyi: ive also just purchased new 18" wheels from powerwheelspro / with new tires so ive ruled that out. fyi they looked lovely.
your feedback and opinions are much appreciated.
Last edited by pskdude; Mar 19, 2014 at 08:15 AM. Reason: photo upload
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 112
2008 CLK550 Cab
Are you changing back to factory parts? What kind of car did you have before? "Overwhelmingly bumpy" and "feels weird" are hard to diagnose as problems. That's too subjective a description. And it may be how you perceive normal. I came from a Volvo C70 cloth top, and although the 550 ride is not "hard" compared to many other cars, it had a little firmer ride than I expected or was used to, and I used to say I could tell if I drove over a gum wrapper. Although I have never compared the two side by side, the convert will drive a bit differently than the coupe, both because it is missing it's top and will thus have more torsional flex - twisting end to end - and because it has more bracing underneath to try and correct the first problem.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 111
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From: Miami, FL
2004 CLK500 - W209 - Cabrio
All lemforder Oem. parts from a local mb dealer. I had a Honda Civic before. 
but im genuinely comparing it to the coupe ride. Being leniant and understanding mine is a Cabrio of course. The ride does feel considerably different. "I feel Gum wrappers on the floor kinda weird" lol...Just expected the ride to get much more "stiff" after the bushing change. (they where in bad condition when replaced)
Sorry i know its hard to evaluate my terminology. :/
oh one more important factor car has 110k miles.
but im genuinely comparing it to the coupe ride. Being leniant and understanding mine is a Cabrio of course. The ride does feel considerably different. "I feel Gum wrappers on the floor kinda weird" lol...Just expected the ride to get much more "stiff" after the bushing change. (they where in bad condition when replaced)Sorry i know its hard to evaluate my terminology. :/
oh one more important factor car has 110k miles.
Last edited by pskdude; Mar 19, 2014 at 10:14 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 111
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From: Miami, FL
2004 CLK500 - W209 - Cabrio
After feeling out the situation. The vibrations on the steering at higher speeds went away. However when im in bumpy areas or go over bumps in the highway they are felt heavily. Could this be the Shocks ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
Shocks are easy to diagnose...is the ride bouncy? Do you get excessive body roll/squat? What size wheels/tires were you running before? The low profile tires you have now will definitely ride harsher.
The clicking noise could be bearing/axle/strut mount/etc related.
The clicking noise could be bearing/axle/strut mount/etc related.
Last edited by megacrazy; Mar 26, 2014 at 02:47 PM.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 111
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From: Miami, FL
2004 CLK500 - W209 - Cabrio
I was riding the 17" amg stock before and went to 18"''s I felt the same thing before the tire change. and yes it feels bouncy all the time except when riding on smooth roads..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
Of course there could be something else wrong with the shocks even if it doesn't display these symptoms but 9/10 times it will probably be bouncy if the shocks are bad.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 111
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From: Miami, FL
2004 CLK500 - W209 - Cabrio
After replacing every strut arm, and suspension. I notice mounting the shocks the strut mounts where cracked. Turns out the "clicking noise" was coming from there....
