cstevenson

A couple of weeks ago I replaced both rear coil springs on my 2004 CLK 320 and after the swap, there was a bad clunking coming from both wheels when I went over bumps at any speed.

Thinking it was some bad spring dampers, I replaced the rubber dampers that go over the tops of the springs and that stopped the noise in the passenger side rear, however the driver's side still clunks.

The sound is definitely metal on metal and is at any speeds, more so fast bumps. Slow speed bumps don't make much of a sound.

Things I've tried:

Torque everything to spec while the wheel is under load
Sway bar and links look to be OK
upper shock mount is snug, but I didn't torque it down. not loose for sure
spring is seated properly in the lower notch and the upper damper is fine

Let me know if you have any suggestions, they are much appreciated! I am flummoxed...

DanielFD

The top of the rear shock might not be seated correctly. My car was making metal on metal sounds from the rear shocks after my accident. I thought my shocks were shot turned out the guy that removed and reinstalled them (had my whole rear subframe changed) hadn't seated the rubber bushing under the locking nut on the top of the rear strut correctly and it was caused that metal on metal sound.

CDM Motorsports

did you use stock springs or lowering springs

cstevenson

On a whim I overtorqued the lower shock mounting bolt to 50% over it's reccomended torque (41 to 60 lbs-ft) and the clunking went away.