Rear Clunking Noise - Did a Search
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
2004 E500
Rear Clunking Noise - Did a Search
I've been searching this site and the web to see if someone has a similar issue and didn't find anything. I have a 2004 E500 and when going over a rough road like with pot holes or just slightly rough I get a clunking / rattling noise that sounds like it's coming from the trunk. It's lower like it's almost underneath the car or right behind the rear seat. I pulled the trunk apart looking for something and it sounded like it was coming from the black box with computers / air hoses. I'm assuming it's for the ait suspension, but not sure. I unscrewed it, put foam under it and the noise is still there. It almost sounds like a broken shock or something because it's a low clunking sound, but I just had it aligned and I had them check all the shocks. I thought it might be the jack or tire iron hitting the chassis (that's the type of sound it it) so I took everything out and it's still there.
It's really annoying, so any help would be appreciated?
Thank you!
It's really annoying, so any help would be appreciated?
Thank you!
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
2003 e500 sport
from what i heard i might be wrong but it might be coming from the air springs in the rear i also have a e500 but i havent really paid attention to that noise. i have a totally dfferent problem which my left driver side air spring is totally flat and neds replacemnt
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
2004 E500
I had the alignment place check out the air suspenion and everything checked out and operated normal. I read somewhere else that it could be a sway bar mount. It's really hard to tell if it's inside the trunk or ouside and just resonating through the rear of the car. I probably need to ride back there while my wife drives.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
It's the rear air springs. With time they start clunking and the solution is to replace them at about $700 a pop. I have this noise and have lived with it for some time. I'll swap them out the day one of them blows.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
2004 E500
I'll check the exhaust. I shook it last night and it seemed tight.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
Would I hear them on the freeway? It rides perfect on the freeway and no rattles or clunking. It's just while going slow. for example in my parking structure or going down a bumpy alley, driveway, etc. Once I get on the freeway or even at speed, I don't hear anything or feel anything? Big bumps don't make noise either. Just small bumps or rough roads that shake or vibrate the car.
I'll check the exhaust. I shook it last night and it seemed tight.
I'll check the exhaust. I shook it last night and it seemed tight.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, Canada
E320 CDI
I don't have air springs. I have the clunk. When my fuel tank is full, I tap the brakes while car is in D gear. It will create a big "thump thump". It doesn't do it when my fuel tank is almost empty. It has been a mystery to me for many years.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
There is also a clunk associated with the fuel tank straps being loose. Maybe you can check that one.
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 519
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and NorCal
Titleist
I have a 212, E350 without airsprings. I have a sound from the right rear of the car, usually only when the right side encounters bumps, such as a speed bump where I can avoid with the left wheels. My sounds like a clunk mixed with a bad bed spring
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
2004 E500
I took it to a local Mercedes shop and they think it's the shock. Key word is "think" They want $900 to replace it. I have a hard time spending $900 not knowing if it's the problem. I'm doing brakes on the car this weekend so will look at it myself when the tire is off.
It's a very noticeable noise now and it happens so often at low speeds, it's like a clunking rattle. I'm just not sure how this would be the shock and not obvious. Are these shocks any different than a regular shock?
Thank you!
It's a very noticeable noise now and it happens so often at low speeds, it's like a clunking rattle. I'm just not sure how this would be the shock and not obvious. Are these shocks any different than a regular shock?
Thank you!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
I took it to a local Mercedes shop and they think it's the shock. Key word is "think" They want $900 to replace it. I have a hard time spending $900 not knowing if it's the problem. I'm doing brakes on the car this weekend so will look at it myself when the tire is off.
It's a very noticeable noise now and it happens so often at low speeds, it's like a clunking rattle. I'm just not sure how this would be the shock and not obvious. Are these shocks any different than a regular shock?
Thank you!
It's a very noticeable noise now and it happens so often at low speeds, it's like a clunking rattle. I'm just not sure how this would be the shock and not obvious. Are these shocks any different than a regular shock?
Thank you!
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, Canada
E320 CDI
I spray silicon on the sway bar bracket bushing. The noise seems to be less now. It is more acceptable for small bumps. The bushing seems to be intact tho. I really don't get it. Sigh!! MB should take a sample of the clunky cars and investigate. Seriously! It is not easy to pin point the problem!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
2004 E500
I spray silicon on the sway bar bracket bushing. The noise seems to be less now. It is more acceptable for small bumps. The bushing seems to be intact tho. I really don't get it. Sigh!! MB should take a sample of the clunky cars and investigate. Seriously! It is not easy to pin point the problem!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
It's the airsprings, I have the same noise and replaced my shocks and the noise is still there. I talked to an mb tech and he said it was 100% the airsprings and it's the only thing left for me to check or change. They are so expensive I'm simply living with the noise for the moment.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
2004 E500
It's the airsprings, I have the same noise and replaced my shocks and the noise is still there. I talked to an mb tech and he said it was 100% the airsprings and it's the only thing left for me to check or change. They are so expensive I'm simply living with the noise for the moment.
One of the suspension arms was loose so he replaced that, but it's still there. He thought it was in the shock too, but after reading your post I don't want to throw more money away. Can you elaborate on how the air bag would clunk?
thank you!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
It really sounds like we have the same thing, but I took my car to an alignment shop that has worked on our vehicles, race cars, etc. for years and he said the air shock is just vulcanized to the plates, so he checked all the mounting and everything was fine? I'm not questioning your input, but I'm having a hard time understanding how an air bag can clunk? All the air bags I've seen are so simple?
One of the suspension arms was loose so he replaced that, but it's still there. He thought it was in the shock too, but after reading your post I don't want to throw more money away. Can you elaborate on how the air bag would clunk?
thank you!
One of the suspension arms was loose so he replaced that, but it's still there. He thought it was in the shock too, but after reading your post I don't want to throw more money away. Can you elaborate on how the air bag would clunk?
thank you!
Cheapest I've seen them is in www.aboveallmotorwerks.com.
