Front-end clunk when turning - Page 2

Jul 29, 2019 | 12:46 PM

#26

OUZO Power

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 350

Likes: 49

From: Brooklin, Ontario

JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250

I got the same problem. I replaced my leaking rack and pinion 2 months ago. And ever since I have been hearing this sound.

Jun 5, 2020 | 11:05 AM

#27

Ivan Hernandez

Newbie

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

slk 300

This was my fix

See those three screws? Each one one them had to be tightened between 1/8 and 1/4 turn. I did this by hand, so I expect to be doing it again at some point, probably at the next service interval. In any case, this solved to clunking problem.

Jul 3, 2021 | 06:53 AM

#28

Byzance1

Newbie

Joined: Jul 2021

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

W166

Front end clunk when turning

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alabaster

Has anyone experienced hearing/feeling a noise from the front end when turning at slow speeds? The Dealer could hear and confirm the noise last week but not the culprit. They suspected a ball joint in the steering column and have ordered that part, but the sound seems to be triggered by a shifting of the weight, like when rolling over a gutter to get into a driveway amd not necessarily something in the steering column. They did mention there was a TSB on this. Any thoughts?

I have w166 and the same thing is happening, we changed the bearing , control arms and used the special grease for steering knuckle ...
problem or noise is still there ...
I don't know if it's safe but it only happens at low speeds and with weight distribution and when cold.

Mercedes should figure this out or do a recall!!!

Jul 3, 2021 | 04:13 PM

#29

Ivan Hernandez

Newbie

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

slk 300

Try this, it worked for me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byzance1

These screws need to be tightened.

Sep 13, 2022 | 07:13 AM

#30

jocaho

Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2021

Posts: 29

Likes: 1

2007 230 sport

Clunking on right side of 2007 230sport

I replaced both sway bars and stabilizer bushings and still have it ball joints look ok but can’t figure it out
I push down on front end and no sounds only when turn at low speeds and backing up and turning
what else could it be ? Control arms are next

Dec 14, 2025 | 11:20 AM

#31

TomFFMedic

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2025

Posts: 52

Likes: 15

ML320 CDI W164

Clunking

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan Hernandez

These screws need to be tightened.

I have clunk when parked turning the wheel left and right. Also if I hit a pothole. The sound is from the left side only. I am going to give your method a try before I tear into a complete front end rebuild. Your fix is the first I have seen mentioning this working to solve it. 🤞

Dec 15, 2025 | 12:32 AM

#32

EWT

Super Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 624

Likes: 202

From: CA

11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4

I had a left front clunk going over bumps I couldn't eliminate even after replacing the sway bar links and bushings, which are usually the culprit. Upper and lower control arm bushings looked good and didn't have any slop, all the bolts were tight and I couldn't reproduce it by bouncing the front end. The cause became apparent when it started making more noise going around corners, which pointed toward a bad CV joint, which made sense given that the car had a ripped boot and a dry and dirty CV joint when I bought it. I lubed the joint and replaced the boot after buying it, but the joint was evidently already damaged and got noisier over time. Fortunately, a used axle was only $90 and is easy to replace (assuming you have a beefy impact or long breaker bar to R&R the axle nut).