Help needed - Noise over every bump
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
2008 E350 4Matic
Help needed - Noise over every bump
Hey guys... so lately a noise or hollow metal on metal sort of sounding noise has started coming from the front suspension. It seems like only from one side but almost seems like it could be both. When going over bumps or rough pavement it will make the noise. It started out almost undetectable, and over the course of some months it has all of a sudden started happening over any bump/pot hole, or especially when turning into an alley or driveway where the wheels encounter the "bump" or whatever at different moments or angles. It is almost like a bad sway link or strut mount I want to say in the way it sounds and how it can make a semi-prevalent noise when going over a slight bump.
I have jacked it up and looked for play, ball joints appear good ties rods seem okay and the only noise i can get is when wiggling the drivers side sway link looking part, although its much larger than the any sway link I have seen (I was leaning towards this but hard to say as the sound i get is hard to tell if its the same or could be it or not.) A local shop said it was the upper control arm, strut and sway link on the one side and they would get a quote together. I couldn't exactly tell if all this was needed but they said it was safe to drive so I left.
Has anyone seen common issues like this or have an idea of what to check?
Thanks in advance of course
I have jacked it up and looked for play, ball joints appear good ties rods seem okay and the only noise i can get is when wiggling the drivers side sway link looking part, although its much larger than the any sway link I have seen (I was leaning towards this but hard to say as the sound i get is hard to tell if its the same or could be it or not.) A local shop said it was the upper control arm, strut and sway link on the one side and they would get a quote together. I couldn't exactly tell if all this was needed but they said it was safe to drive so I left.
Has anyone seen common issues like this or have an idea of what to check?
Thanks in advance of course
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
2007 E-350 4-Matic with Sport Suspension
Hey guys... so lately a noise or hollow metal on metal sort of sounding noise has started coming from the front suspension. It seems like only from one side but almost seems like it could be both. When going over bumps or rough pavement it will make the noise. It started out almost undetectable, and over the course of some months it has all of a sudden started happening over any bump/pot hole, or especially when turning into an alley or driveway where the wheels encounter the "bump" or whatever at different moments or angles. It is almost like a bad sway link or strut mount I want to say in the way it sounds and how it can make a semi-prevalent noise when going over a slight bump.
I have jacked it up and looked for play, ball joints appear good ties rods seem okay and the only noise i can get is when wiggling the drivers side sway link looking part, although its much larger than the any sway link I have seen (I was leaning towards this but hard to say as the sound i get is hard to tell if its the same or could be it or not.) A local shop said it was the upper control arm, strut and sway link on the one side and they would get a quote together. I couldn't exactly tell if all this was needed but they said it was safe to drive so I left.
Has anyone seen common issues like this or have an idea of what to check?
Thanks in advance of course
I have jacked it up and looked for play, ball joints appear good ties rods seem okay and the only noise i can get is when wiggling the drivers side sway link looking part, although its much larger than the any sway link I have seen (I was leaning towards this but hard to say as the sound i get is hard to tell if its the same or could be it or not.) A local shop said it was the upper control arm, strut and sway link on the one side and they would get a quote together. I couldn't exactly tell if all this was needed but they said it was safe to drive so I left.
Has anyone seen common issues like this or have an idea of what to check?
Thanks in advance of course
1. The Driver's side strut made a noise when the car hit a small bump. Consequently, I replaced the front struts and the noise disappeared.
2. On the sway bars links, the upper mount (ball and socket) wore out and made the same type of noise as the bad strut, Again, I replaced both sway bar links and the noise disappeared.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: San Diego County CA
05 E320 Sedan Base 175,000mi
Cleaned steering knuckle. Ensured the surface was clean making a couple passes with fine sandpaper then wipe with oiled cloth.
New ball joint set in starting position. It's been in the freezer for several months, not to ensure it was super frozen but because I didn't have the space to perform the repairs.
The press is heavy.
New lower control arm in place. It was equipped with new pressed-in inner bushing, link bushing, outer bushing. I can't find a "thrust" arm (front control arm - as seen to right) that isn't equipped with it's bushing and ball joint (outer) already pressed-in ($125) which leaves me with an extra bushing and over budget. The kit prescribes the same bushing PN for both arms but the front is smaller.
Upper ball joint.
Pressing the old lower control arm ball joint out.
Nomenclature.
