Here is problem:

I drive a lowered 1997 E320. I bought the E320 4 years ago and do not have any history before this time. It has Chrome Lorinser LM1 with Yokohama AVS rubber. I believe it has 19 X 9 with 245/35/19 in the front and 19 X 10 with 275/30/19 in the rear. The car is lowered with H&R springs (29724-2).

A couple years ago, I had to have one of the rims rechromed for $300 because as America's Tires told me moisture is causing the chrome to flake from the inside. They said this will eventually happen to all chrome rims.

In the last year, my suspension started make a noise in the front right. I took it to a local suspension shop and I think because they were so busy they said there was nothing they could do. Now, it makes noise on both the right and left front. I had my regular mechanic take a look and he replaced some things (A Arms??? - I have to check) on the right side. It stopped making noise for a couple days but now the noise is back.

The car drives good but I just hate the noise. What do I do?

Do I raise it up and put on stock rims (which I do not have)?
Do I put on some non-chrome after market rims?
Do I leave the rims and just raise it?
Do I just change the shocks?

Please help.

 

do none of the above...unless you have lots of spare time. nothing you've
described provide clear evidence that it is the root cause of the sound.
your mechanic should be able to tell you the basis and foundation for their
diagnosis.

neither can we conclude a nexus between chrome flaking and the sound. this
requires more first hand examination and thorough process of elimination.

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention I hear the noise when I go over bumps on the road, up driveways, and especially when I go over speed bumps in the parking lot. And I only mentioned the chrome flaking as a reason for me wanting to sell the rims. I know it has nothing to do with the noise.

 

maddawg-
another thought that came to mind was bushings. should probably take a look
at these as well while you're underneath. your mechanic may have done that
as well and making recommendations.

 

from what I understand you might have some rusty spring perches but like raymond said your best bet is to check with a mechanic

 

I was also going to recommend the same, check all of your bushings. You might for kicks, also check your spring pads that sit at the tops of your springs. I don't know how low your car is or how you drive but the spring pads are rubber as well and you never know. The chrome pealing can be caused by a lot of things but I personally have never heard of interior moisture causing chrome to peal, maybe this is a new development.

Regardless, take your car to a mechanic you can trust and have them diagnose it. Good luck...

 

Check your brake calipers. There is a metal "anti-rattle" clip that is supposed to be on there. I had a loud metal-on-metal noise which occurred over almost every bump that I hit. The noise went away once I installed the clips.