KR3678

A few months ago I purchased a '98 ML320 which currently has about 104k miles on it. Recently, I began experiencing an intermittent clunk from the left front wheel area that I can't figure out. I'm hoping someone on this board may have already experienced this and can point me in the right direction. Here's the issue:

It feels like I have run over something with the left front wheel, although there is nothing in the road.
It makes a muffled metallic clunk when this happens.
It seems to occur most often when I have accelerated quickly and then let off the gas.
It occasionally occurs when I let off the gas and apply the brakes.
On a couple of occasions, it has occurred while making a left turn from a stop.

Things that come to my mind include motor mounts, transmission mounts and swaybar bushings. But I'm new to Mercedes ownership and don't have a good grasp of their peculiarities yet.

Any ideas?

imwalkin

im also getting this on my 00 430 with about 65k...I also just started to get an insane creaking from the pass rear..sounds like an old bed/sofa... could this be a bushing thing? funny..just got my car aligned and all this happens!

55fanatic

a creak is bushings... everyone gets them, a clunk could be something more serious

Racin_fool

you would think so, but in a few cases on some older W163's I have seen one of the outside front sway bar bushings just work themselves out and just disappear. Just so you know this isn't a fluke one time thing, in the 3.5 years I have been working on Benz vehicles I have seen this about a dozen times in the shop.

xyzpl

I've been getting that clunk clunk noise for months... Ive taken it to 2 local mercedes independent shops and they all thold me that it is normal, all older ML does that...

I just don't believe it... And I don't think taking it to the dealer will help...

BTW mine is a 2000 ML320. amd the clunk usually happens when I make turns.

KR3678

Thanks for the input everyone. Tomorrow's supposed to be a nice day around here (with the exception of too much pollen), so I think I'll poke around under the truck to see if anything looks suspicious.

This past weekend, the friend who sold me the truck was riding with me. He's an independent dealer who's probably bought and sold 50 MLs over the years. He's never experienced it before and of course, the clunk did not appear. After I let him out, it clunked on the very next turn.

My wife has heard it too, so she doesn't think I'm crazy (at least in this case...).

Penn

A common clunk is from the transfer case especially on Series 1 vehicles. Usually it occurs when stering is at full lock.

mb_rpl

So far, I can believe you on that one. I am thinking of buying a friend's 2K2 ML320 and he told me all about the issues he had. He said he's bringing it back to the dealer because of this. This is the only one that hasn't been fixed which the dealer said was just loose brake dust shields. But it isn't vibration per se but feels like the left front wheel is slipping for a split second then catching on. It's more pronounced when making a left turn from a stop and a little aggresive on the gas. I have it for the weekend so I'll take a look at the underside and check if it's just the front sway bar bushing as Racin_fool suggested...

BTW, this is my maiden post so I just wanna say hope to see you guys more soon (if I get this BST - Big Silver Truck )

Kar don

I think it is a sway bar link.

mhm001

I was experciencing the same problem on my 2001 ML 270 approximately 2 years ago. After various visits to the dealer it was concluded that noise was due to a driver's side faulty tyre that was practically invisible. As my Dunlop tyres were 5 years old I replaced them all with TOYO and have no regrets.

MBTECH2003

Look out for the outer tie rod ends. Common on ML's with high mileage.

mb_rpl

After the dealer replaced it the noise went away...

KR3678

Bingo! When I tried to get the truck aligned yesterday, the tech couldn't do it because the left tie rod end was worn out.

I figure I'll get the right one replaced as well as a matter of prevention.

xyzpl

so it is normal then? I've looked in tot he tie end rods, and it is not them. also checked the sway bars... doesn't seem to be anything wrong with them either...

I drove it again today, and the sound just gets so annoying that I think its time to trade it in! my 95 civic makes less noise!!!

benz-tech

its a long shot but once in a while some one will do an alignment and not get the upper arm bolts tight. when the planets align you may get a clunk during weight transfer. check for rusty powder or obvious wear from sliding, around the suspension bolts. otherwise i would have said tie rod ends also.

KR3678

Well, I spoke too soon. Replaced both outer tie-rod ends and the noise is still there. The search continues...

Crazy MB Rob

Did anyone mention the ball joints? it's possible

filterman

like I run over something small and if I am towing my boat around a corner fast I hear it and my traction controll hits in and I get a funny noise. It is like a clunk. like something hitts the underneath of the truck. I though I was hammering the corners too fast under load and the traction controll was kicking in but it has done this without the trailer.If you figure this out let me know.

fkong777

if you accelerate quickly and let off and a "Clunk" appears. It is the motor mount. I was searching for a month before the dealer say it is the motor mount.

I even had an indy check all the ball joints and bushing and they all check out fine.

Replace engine mount truck runs much smoother. No more Clunk.

remember some older ML has a harsher transfer case. I replace my fluid with Royal Purple MAX ATF. seem to cut down a bunch of noise for a couple of years. now. you need to do it a couple of times to get all the old ATF out of the transfer case.

filterman

Ill check it this weekend. Changing exhaust to Kleeman headers and flowmaster muff with resonator. Ill do the headers after I do the muff and resonator. I have to get a y fab'd for the resonator so the muff will be first then the resonator then the headers.

NYCFIXMYPC.COM

just call me a gravedigger. I 'm here to resurrect this post from the dead to let you guys know I have the mystery clunk too. 2000 ML430. makes the clunk when accelerating fast from 0.
I will have my mech. take a look at motor mounts. Thanks again MBWORLD guys!!!

Maj. Dundee

You don't need a mechanic to check it out. You can do it yourself.

Put the truck in drive and with your left foot on the brake, snap the throttle with your right foot. If you hear the clunk your motor mount is bad. Of course do this with no veh. in front of yours.

smo0othride

I have this but it seems to come from the rear passenger side and only at low speeds, usually when turning. I think it has to be something in the suspension.

hargate

Experiencing similar issue. Sorry to bump the old thread but I did not want to make a new one.

My clunk is specific to hitting a bump only. Turning, accelerating, braking, or rate of speed has no bearing. If I hit a bump it sounds waay exaggerated. It sounds like I am doing damage. Very recent 4 wheel brake service resulted in no leads even though I asked the trusted mech to check it out while car was up and wheel was off.

Passenger rear on '07 ml350 with 104k.

Outer tie rod ends?

Thanks!

art_arev

You are in the wrong forum.