Bottoming out ??
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
Bottoming out ??
So I'm looking for some advice on a bottoming out issue on my second W209 or 2008 CLK350. I guess the previous driver was a little rough on the roads ? I'm not sure because this one only has 70,000 miles on it. My 162k is much better on por holes.
So here's the situation first of all in traffic when I slow down at the last three to 0 miles an hour the steering wheel shakes a little so it’s a bad lower control arm on the drive which I checked today when I jacked up the car and I could move the tire left and right and saw the play. Now my shock issue for the most part it's nice it's a pretty intense bang or bottoming out for sure. I guess my question is it truly bold shocks that are gone.
Now when I do the test where you bounce the car up and down and you let go they seem very stiff and strong. On the highway she is super super smooth and very responsive so I just want to make sure obviously I'm not a person that takes his car to the mechanic I've been fixing my own car so over 20 years I used to be a mechanic years ago mainly Mercedes BMW Saab Volvo Volkswagen.
I'm not a person that replaces and sees what happens , I research to get it the 1st time
So here's the situation first of all in traffic when I slow down at the last three to 0 miles an hour the steering wheel shakes a little so it’s a bad lower control arm on the drive which I checked today when I jacked up the car and I could move the tire left and right and saw the play. Now my shock issue for the most part it's nice it's a pretty intense bang or bottoming out for sure. I guess my question is it truly bold shocks that are gone.
Now when I do the test where you bounce the car up and down and you let go they seem very stiff and strong. On the highway she is super super smooth and very responsive so I just want to make sure obviously I'm not a person that takes his car to the mechanic I've been fixing my own car so over 20 years I used to be a mechanic years ago mainly Mercedes BMW Saab Volvo Volkswagen.
I'm not a person that replaces and sees what happens , I research to get it the 1st time
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 6
From: Ramona, CA
2007 CLK 350
I have a similar issue. Same symptoms. I’ve read it’s the sway bar bushings possibly. I haven’t gotten on the ground to check yet but $20 on eBay for the bushings and it seems easy enough to replace. This could be your issue.
I’m checking mine when I install coil overs and replacing all the arms and bushings.
I’m checking mine when I install coil overs and replacing all the arms and bushings.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
Well I noticed today for the previous messages I left that I do have the driver side rear control arm it was a little loose so I’m gonna replace it. I do see movement. You may be right because I’m feeling it on both sides and another thing I notice is when I’m on the highway sometimes the car moves a little left and right as if it’s windy out and it really isn’t
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 184
Likes: 118
From: Shenandoah Valley
E400 Wagon; 2010 ML350; 08 CLK350 Cabriolet; 69 SL280
I had my 2008 CLK Cabriolet for 5 years, was my daily driver, drove it hard, racked up 132,000 miles, ZERO issues, never bottomed out, never had a "repair" DID the A & B service when it was due, or close to, Ran it with 87 octane about 80% of the miles. Car was flawless except it would not go anywhere with the least bit of snow, & the front end felt like it lifted over 95 MPH so I ended up trading it in for a 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet - which was a good car but a tad bit less comfortable than the MB.
Don't know what to tell you, experienced no issues in 5 years.
Don't know what to tell you, experienced no issues in 5 years.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
So last night if I didn’t already mention it I got underneath the car and I managed to move the tire left right left right best I could while on my back. I could just catch the front rear driver side as I suspected because there was play control arm showing a little bit of movement.
So I ordered one for 35 bucks, it should be here next week. They’re pretty easy to change it takes about 20 minutes. While I was underneath I said what the hell let me try to tighten it since there’s play and I did I put my foot on a wrench 21 mm and pushed it about 10 inches total. Now it’s still bad but the difference in just tightening that nut was amazing difference, my suggestion is if you’re bottoming out look at your control arms first. Even if there’s a little play in the wheel that’s enough there should be no play whatsoever.
So I ordered one for 35 bucks, it should be here next week. They’re pretty easy to change it takes about 20 minutes. While I was underneath I said what the hell let me try to tighten it since there’s play and I did I put my foot on a wrench 21 mm and pushed it about 10 inches total. Now it’s still bad but the difference in just tightening that nut was amazing difference, my suggestion is if you’re bottoming out look at your control arms first. Even if there’s a little play in the wheel that’s enough there should be no play whatsoever.
