ap10046

Hi all,
I hope someone can shed some light on this :
My car has had this more or less, constant creaking/clunking sound from the front right side for the last year.

I have changed EVERY single suspension component in it...including the steering rack (long story....!!!). Changed the tires, taken off the doors (in case it was a loose hinge), radiator, engine mounts, hood (!!!), Checked the brakes, pins, splash shields, underbody shields, chassis, exhausts..I mean EVERYTHING..put it all back and behold..there it was again...! This was yesterday!

What could this possible be? I think I can safely say its not suspension related, although it really sounds like it it...mainly on a speed bump or on uneven roads. Am I going mad?

edwinwalke

Your list does not include ball joints and that is most likely the culprit. There are tons of threads on this forum on w211 ball joints problems. Use the search function and go look. There is even a great post of how to DIY.

MARK CUMMINS

If you are experiencing a bumping/popping noise from the front suspension at low or medium speeds ask you dealer about P-B-46.40/53. It is the steering mounting plate that makes contact with the subframe.

ap10046

Mark..really? Could this be the problem..has it been documented before? Any pictures?

edwinwalke : Sorry, i forgot to mention that the ball joints were also replaced.

Areez

konigstiger

If you have not already done so, check condition of bushings 105 & 145 in diagram - 105 should be solid rubber but 145 may be hydro-mount if this is the case replace with solid rubber part 2113331114. In addition, you “may” want to revisit shocks EPC shows they have been replaced multiple times usually indicating modification check with dealer for current part # for your VIN.

MercFiveHundred

I had the same except i didn't have creaking. Constant clunking over small road bumps. Until i changed part #107 - mid ball joint on the lower control arm. Relatively inexpensive - but you need a press and patience to do the job...

ap10046

MercFiveHundred, konigstiger - changed and changed..see my dilemma..?

MercFiveHundred

Make sure everything is on really tight because the nut on the mid joint can get loose. I feel your pain. Best of luck.

konigstiger

Another remedy for non-Airmatic suspension is to pull down stop buffer (90 in diagram) and liberally grease piston rod + upper contact surface of buffer and head bearing – return to original position.

ap10046

HI konigstiger, done and MercFiveHundred, rechecked..Noise still there and NOTICEABLE!
I just don't know what to do..how can this be..no matter what I do, it makes absolutely NO difference!!
To best describe the sound, sit on an old spring back office chair or an old spring base bed that squeaks/creaks..that's exactly what it sounds like

ap10046

OK...nothing has worked.
Took it to the dealer and they shrugged their shoulders!!
The front right only crunching/creaky noise is worse on a first run of the day and progressively becomes less noticeable after about 10-15 minutes..it's there, but only a lot more subdued.....help...!!

David8831

My E500 has a similar issue, it sounds like a creaky door hinge or as you say ap10046, a little like an old spring bed base, only on the RHS. It doesn't get any better as you drive. I have replaced both bottom ball joints and the noise is still there. My mechanic is telling me it is now the bushes in the upper control arm. Have you replace this? Anyone have any thought about this?

ap10046

Hi David,
I have changed every component of the front suspension, save the shocks (on newish Koni FSDs-quite possibly the worst shocks ever made..that's another story..LOL), 'coz I can't afford to change those right now.

I love the mechs telling us "hmm..that didn't solve it."..Yeah Right!! AFTER i've just paid half my wages to you!!

I've relegated myself to drive with the radio turned up to avoid listening to the f*$@%#! creaking!!
Someone told me to check for cracks in the sub-frame or cross-member..that would be a whole lot of fun, I'm guessing!!
Do let me know if you have any sort of solution to this..

Areez

Dexion

Hate to say it, probably your shocks, try pushing down on the car at the hood to see if you can replicate the noise, or your shocks "play" too much. ie: they come up but bounce down a little again.

royflip

I had the same problem in my E350. Replaced the ball joints and that did it.

BUT: I also had a noise that deteriorated to a slight wobble from the right front in my wife's old 95 LeBaron convertible, my project and golf car. Checked all the front end parts. Convinced myself it was the driveaxle and replaced it. Backed it out of the garage and it had somehow gotten worse. Asked my son to sit in the passenger seat with his head over the side to see if he could hear where it was coming from. He sure could. It was the back axle. Replaced the bearings and noise all gone.
I am just saying after doing everything you could replacing the front, maybe the noise is coming from somewhere else? I was certain it was the front end. Recruit a volunteer to drive, stick your head out the window like a cocker spaniel and see if maybe you are barking up the wrong tree.
Wish I had done it earlier. Good luck.

ap10046

Hi Dexion, Royflip,
have made someone stand in the engine bay and jump/bounce but couldn't replicate it.
Not Discounting the shocks, BUT it was there even on the OEM ones..!
It is DEFINITELY from the front right..believe me..there's no mistaking that..
The last thing I can do is try the subframe/cross member?
As i said, it does, without a doubt, become a LOT less after driving for a bit..but once its left for a few hours, it's back!

Areez

Taylor-Made'90

Inner fender wheel well housing, maybe? It would only clunk when driven, correct? Jumping up and down on the front end, doesn't reproduce the sound?

This may be reaching a bit, but how about a motor mount damper?>

Dexion

Your gonna have to take a stethoscope under the car to find out where the noise is coming from.

VividRacing

That's gonna be a ton of fun while he's driving lol

OP: Have you been able to narrow down any specific action that causes it? That might help figure out what it is that's rubbing. Cracked subframe sounds feasible, but for your sake I hope not.

ap10046

Well, mainly bad roads, speed bumps, a left turn up a hill and sometimes, just sometimes when I brake hard..but as I said, why does it become a lot less after driving for a while?

brm

The stethoscope idea isn't as far-fetched as it seems. They make remote-mounted sensors that you attach to the underside of the car and feed the noise to a command unit in the car. You can put several of them in an array under the car and narrow down the location. It sounds like this could help.

ap10046

Hi all,
Well, I eventually changed Dealers as I thought the old one was taking me for a complete ride, and the new one seems to know exactly what is actually going on!

Apparently they had another car in (221) with exactly the same noise..want to hazard a guess??

It's the right side bush on the front anti sway bar/anti roll bar.
Also evidently a fairly large job to do..so..lots of lube and a few bits of rubber shoved in where the old bush "used" to be and the noise has gone!!!! AFTER over a year!!!! GONE!!!!
I'm so happy, I could cry!!

She's getting a new set of wheels today, that took over a month to clear our bloody customs!!
Will post piccies soon!

vettdvr

Reapplication engineering.

I have a corvette with ride control suspension. I had a similar noise driving me nuts and I also changed everything out. THEN Dah.. the light came on.

The TOP bushing in the shock was dry. I replaced the shock ($2000/set of 4) and solved the problem.

Consider putting a silicon grease on the top shock strut rod at the bushing where it enters the shock. This is all it took to correct the corvette shock that was pulled at 80,000 miles.

My bet is the top shock strut rod is squeeking causing the noise, this is why you haven't found it yet.