Front end clunking
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John Deere
Front end clunking
I know that mbtech suggests checking the bushings, but...
has anyone had a noise/feel of a very light clunking while rolling at low speed over a somewhat uneven road? It is difficult for me to describe, but my front end often feels a bit disconnected somehow, as if something wasn't connected properly. It's more of a thing you feel in the floorboards rather than hear. Sort of a metal hitting metal.
I'm hesitant to let a shop go on a hunting mission on my tab.
This might be a common malady on the W210 (?)
has anyone had a noise/feel of a very light clunking while rolling at low speed over a somewhat uneven road? It is difficult for me to describe, but my front end often feels a bit disconnected somehow, as if something wasn't connected properly. It's more of a thing you feel in the floorboards rather than hear. Sort of a metal hitting metal.
I'm hesitant to let a shop go on a hunting mission on my tab.
This might be a common malady on the W210 (?)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I can't say I know exactly what is going on with your E class as I am not there to drive it but I experienced almost exactly what you are describing. I had a loose or rattling feelings coming from my front end that made me feel a little unstable. My mechanic told me it was the front arm bushings and so he replaced them. The noise went away. While he was in there I had him change the shocks to Bilsteins and the springs to H&R. Now my ride drives like it's on rails. Have your mechanic check your bushings for wear. Good luck...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
The shop is a Mercedes Benz only shop (not a dealer) and unfortunately because my friend owns it, I did not get an exact price on the bushings and labor. I do know though that it should apprx. cost around maybe $200 and no more than $300. I paid him $300 for labor for the install of my shocks, springs and bushings with the bushings included.
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Columbus, Ohio
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
My 97 E320 with about 100k miles is having the exact same problem right now. But, when I checked out the front, I didn't find anything wrong (I could have easily missed something though, I suppose). However, I did find that the driver side rear trailing arm bushing (I think that's the one it is, it's the one closest to the jacking point on the rear) wasn't in good condition. Could that be a completely unrelated problem? I can't believe that it's the rear because it really sounds like it's coming from the front. Anyone have a picture of the front arm bushings in question. How many miles did you guys have when this happened on your cars? Looks like there's another post about this same problem. What should I be looking for when I check my bushings?? I want to double check to make sure I know what the problem is before ordering parts.
popping sound in front end
Thanks.
popping sound in front end
Thanks.
Last edited by Batman; Apr 29, 2003 at 02:07 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: So.Cal
98 E430
From what I was told, one of the symptom of a bad bushing, is that when you are braking, all of the sudden it dives forward, and makes a clunk noise.
It is advisable you change your bushing every 80k, as this is a common problem with the W210s.
It is advisable you change your bushing every 80k, as this is a common problem with the W210s.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5
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From: Manhattan
97 E420
Count me in. My 97 E420 has been doing the exact same thing for the last 10,000 miles. I'm currently at 93,000 and recently had it in for routine maintenance. I had them check out the front suspension, and for a week or so, it was riding like new. Now, I'm right back to square one.
When I take it back next week I'm going to be sure to give them the URL to this thread. At least I'm not the only one.
-Adam
PS - I've had my front bushing replaced to no avail.
When I take it back next week I'm going to be sure to give them the URL to this thread. At least I'm not the only one.
-Adam
PS - I've had my front bushing replaced to no avail.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Columbus, Ohio
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
Which bushing is everyone talking about?? There are a lot of bushings in the front suspension. We have the control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, engine mounts, etc. Either way, if I have some time later tonight, I'll get under mine and see what's going on down there. If I find what's wrong, I'll try to post a picture for you guys.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
We are talking about all of the control arm bushings. Those tend to wear with higher mileage or hard driven Benz's and need to be replaced, especially when modifying the suspension...
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 342
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From: So.Cal
98 E430
I don't have this problem, but I am going to change my bushing in the lower control arm anyway. I'm just waiting for a good deal on those K-Mac.
I just wanted to note. There is a TSB about the engine floating mount that might cause a similar problem. Check or have your mechanic check the floating engine mounts.
Mine "popped" around 50k miles, and the engine vibrates, and during hard turns or braking it makes a cluncking noise.
I replaced them myself, but you'll need a cherry picker to lift the engine. It's fairly easy.. maybe less than 2hrs work.
I just wanted to note. There is a TSB about the engine floating mount that might cause a similar problem. Check or have your mechanic check the floating engine mounts.
Mine "popped" around 50k miles, and the engine vibrates, and during hard turns or braking it makes a cluncking noise.
I replaced them myself, but you'll need a cherry picker to lift the engine. It's fairly easy.. maybe less than 2hrs work.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5
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From: San Marino, California
MB W210 E320 Brabus, Porsche 2000 Boxster
cost of changing these bushings
I am interested in changing the lower control arm and sway bar bushings. Anyone know where and how much the parts costs? Would installation of these bushing be difficult?
Thanks in advance. Im located in Los Angeles. Anybody wants to get these installed together?
Thanks in advance. Im located in Los Angeles. Anybody wants to get these installed together?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I don't know how much it cost me exactly when I had my lower control arm bushings replaced as it was all included when I changed my shocks and springs all together. My mechanic is great and is also a friend of mine, unless you would like to do it yourself? If you're in San Marino it will take you about a half hour or so to get to him in Winnetka if you'd like. The shop is called MBZ Motors (818) 709-5400. If you end up calling ask for Tony and tell him that Jimmy the Greek sent you. 
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Columbus, Ohio
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
Well, it turned out to be the sway bar links. I took some pictures before and after I took out the old ones. I'll try to upload them to my yahoo page soon. A couple of mechanics I talked to said that would be the problem. They replace a lot of those. I took the two front wheels off. Then I supported the control arms with a jack(s). Then I took the whole sway bar off (4 bolts total) and the sway bar links (2 bolts total). The links are a little difficult to take off of the sway bar. I used a screw driver and a hammer. Then, to put the new ones on, I layed the links on a piece of wood (with the angled part hanging off the side of the piece of wood), put the sway bar on top (vertically) and I stepped on it. It popped right in. The second one took a little more effort, but it went in pretty easy. I doubt this is the proper method you might find in a manual, but that's what worked for me. The parts are pretty cheap. I think around $13-17 each. Part numbers are 210-320-36-89 and 210-320-37-89. You'll need a Torx 50 socket ($5) to take off the links. Good luck.
By the way, my AC fan (the two fans in front of the radiator) went out last week. It was pretty easy to replace. Only one of them has a motor, the other one spins with a belt attached to the one with the motor.
By the way, my AC fan (the two fans in front of the radiator) went out last week. It was pretty easy to replace. Only one of them has a motor, the other one spins with a belt attached to the one with the motor.
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Columbus, Ohio
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
Alright, the pics are in. I also added one of my leaking differential if anyone is interested in seeing that for whatever reason.
Sway Bar LInk Pictures
Click on Mercedes, then you can look at the diff. or you can click on Sway Bar, or whatever it says, to see the sway bar links pics. Hope they help. It's not a tech procedure or anything like that, so I don't have everything in there, but it should at least give you a better idea of what to look for.
Sway Bar LInk Pictures
Click on Mercedes, then you can look at the diff. or you can click on Sway Bar, or whatever it says, to see the sway bar links pics. Hope they help. It's not a tech procedure or anything like that, so I don't have everything in there, but it should at least give you a better idea of what to look for.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Maryland
1998 C230
Im getting a clunking noise in my 98 C230 as well. its only coming from the rear however and i can only pick it out when im riding over uneven pavement or a bump at high mph like 60-70.
i was told on another thread it might be bad ball joints. what exactly is it tho? since this thread is saying its bushings or sway bars.
has anyone fixed their prob and are we all talking about the same thing? heh
i was told on another thread it might be bad ball joints. what exactly is it tho? since this thread is saying its bushings or sway bars.
has anyone fixed their prob and are we all talking about the same thing? heh
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Columbus, Ohio
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
Rincewind, I'm not sure what that is, but let me know when you find out because I have a 98 C280. How many miles do you have? I fixed the problem on my E320, but the sound was coming from the front. Maybe your exhaust is loose (I doubt it, but it is a possibility). Have you looked under the car to inspect the suspension components?
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
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Front end clunking
.......if your problem were this....I cannot believe you have not found it by now......but.......Whilst parking my E220 1995 Sportline on a very rough front grass verge......a "gun-shot" sound came from somewhere.
....there followed a "front end clunking" as you said ...on rough surfaces......on examination it was a very neatly sheered roll bar suspension bracket...hard to see without actually taking the thing off.
Tyke
....there followed a "front end clunking" as you said ...on rough surfaces......on examination it was a very neatly sheered roll bar suspension bracket...hard to see without actually taking the thing off.
Tyke
