slow speed+little bumps= BIG CLUNK

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Aug 20, 2009 | 02:47 AM

trioxin

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Junior Member

Joined: May 2005

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slow speed+little bumps= BIG CLUNK

So I've read the forum a bit on this subject.. and there's info on it but would like to be a little more clear before I take it it in. 2003 e500.. 49k miles.. pulls a bit to the right .. runs smooth as silk at anything over 10 mph.. but if I'm in a parking lot doing 3 mph and hit a little bump it sounds like I hit a wall. So after reading the forums it sounds like Ball joints or bushings? what's more likely?.. also what's a ballpark estimate for the repair?
thanks!

Aug 20, 2009 | 09:57 AM

rzrob

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Anaheim, CA

'03 E320 Sport

My '03 E320 Sport has this exact same issue. I went to the dealer and they told me the specific name of the parts, but it is essentially the lower ball joints. What's happened is the rubber boot has torn and the grease ran out. The ball joint is inseparable from the arm, so you're looking at around $700 I believe. It actually motivated me to buy the service manual on CD. I can find the part numbers, but my 320 may not be the same. I'm not 100% certain I can do the job myself though.

RZ Rob

Aug 20, 2009 | 11:53 AM

Dan Wang

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,697

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From: Santa Ana, CA

E320CDI, CLK55, and a Smart

You also may want to check out the control arm bushings.

Aug 20, 2009 | 01:41 PM

Roehl

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Joined: Dec 2007

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From: Orange County, CA

2004 MB E-500 & 2000 Honda Accord Coupe

Go to an indy shop. Ball joint replacement parts are not that expensive. did you purchase extended warranty?

Aug 20, 2009 | 08:30 PM

trioxin

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unfortunately no warranty.. so I'll be fitting the bill. I have a pretty good indy shop near by that I used with my w210.. probably use them.

Aug 20, 2009 | 09:38 PM

rzrob

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 28

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From: Anaheim, CA

'03 E320 Sport

Caliber called the items needing replacement as :Thrust Arm Joints ($695 est), However the parts listed were as follows:

211-333-29-14 Bearing $65.52 Ea. - qty. 2
211-330-44-11 Strut $198.90 Ea. - qty. 1
211-330-43-11 Strut $257.60 Ea. - qty. 1

RZ Rob

Aug 20, 2009 | 09:42 PM

trioxin

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 42

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so I take it ball joints and thrust arm joints are the same? Probably something I wouldn't attempt on my own but good info to know to give mechanic heads up.
THanks

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Jan 13, 2010 | 06:14 PM

Topless2000CLK

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 8

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2000 CLK Cabriolet

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzrob

This same job is in my near future (ugh) on the wife's car, anyone know of any prices better than these?

211-330-44-11 Control Arm RH, $88.25 Ea.
http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto...tml?3593=48390

211-330-43-11 Control Arm LH, $88.25 Ea.
http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto...tml?3593=48389

Jan 13, 2010 | 08:01 PM

#10

MercFiveHundred

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 419

Likes: 16

From: NY

2014 E550; 2003 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by trioxin

so I take it ball joints and thrust arm joints are the same? Probably something I wouldn't attempt on my own but good info to know to give mechanic heads up.
THanks

No! The Thrust arm has a ball joint on one end (near the tire) and a liquid filled rubber bushing on the other (toward front of the car). The "clunk" is most likely just the bushing. A leaking bushing will show that it's bad - but i'm sure it's just the bushing regardless. No need to change the entire thrust arm, just have the bushings pressed out and a new one pressed in and replace.

Jun 3, 2010 | 01:56 AM

#11

rzrob

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 28

Likes: 0

From: Anaheim, CA

'03 E320 Sport

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFiveHundred

I'm finally going to do mine. I'll just press the bushing. Now to find that separately.

RZ Rob

Jun 3, 2010 | 07:31 AM

#12

Miguk_Saram

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 625

Likes: 82

From: Germantown, MD

'07 GL450

..hmm..

This issue seems to be surfacing a lot recently...

Refer to this diy, http://diyw211balljointchange.blogspot.com/, for ball joint replacement. The parts list should help you isolate what you need.