HELP - Rear Shock Absorbers Noise (Recorded a video)
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Joined: Feb 2006
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S63 COUPE M157
HELP - Rear Shock Absorbers Noise (Recorded a video)
Hi guys,
as some of you know (from my other thread), I have been experiencing strange clunking noises from my rear shock absorbers while driving on irregular road surface. My MB technician told me that the problem are rear shock absorbers and their condition is said to be "bad". I have no idea what that means as they function normally, it is just the noise they make. They said that I should replace them to eliminate the noise, but warranty claim was denied. I have recently driven another S63 Coupe with less mileage (mine 39k kilometers vs 23k kilometers) and that car also had same noises, although not as loud. I, still, cannot imagine this is normal and need more evidence.
I have recorded a video for you guys to listen. Those of you, who have the S63/65 Coupe, can you confirm that you also experience similair nosies while driving over small bumps? Please, use headphones to hear it. As you can hear, the front suspension absorbs just fine, the rear is making clunking noise. Thanks!
as some of you know (from my other thread), I have been experiencing strange clunking noises from my rear shock absorbers while driving on irregular road surface. My MB technician told me that the problem are rear shock absorbers and their condition is said to be "bad". I have no idea what that means as they function normally, it is just the noise they make. They said that I should replace them to eliminate the noise, but warranty claim was denied. I have recently driven another S63 Coupe with less mileage (mine 39k kilometers vs 23k kilometers) and that car also had same noises, although not as loud. I, still, cannot imagine this is normal and need more evidence.
I have recorded a video for you guys to listen. Those of you, who have the S63/65 Coupe, can you confirm that you also experience similair nosies while driving over small bumps? Please, use headphones to hear it. As you can hear, the front suspension absorbs just fine, the rear is making clunking noise. Thanks!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 106
Cars
I have the same issue on both of mine
Your video is not really very helpful. The sound isn’t coming through enough to distinguish what it could be. From what I’m told, it is just in the design of the suspension. My S Edition one clunks and my S 63 clunks. I though it could be a particular rear strut, possibly the passenger rear but it’s both cars doing the same damn thing. One car has no miles and the other 14k miles. It’s just something I’ve had to live with. It drives me crazy, so I turn up the sound on the stereo. My CLS550 clunked so bad on the fronts with only 49k miles, I couldn’t drown it out. My warranty company wouldn’t fix them but after I decided to pay for the repairs myself, they found oil on top of the struts after taken out, they found the oil seals had ruptured on the tops of each strut and the warranty company paid for the repairs. They kept telling me there was nothing wrong but it was beyond tolerable. It was only 1,500.00 for the Mercedes struts and install, so luckily they weren’t to upset about paying out. The S Coupes drive me nuts as well. My CL550 and my CL600 are hush quiet. If you replace the rear struts, please keep me posted as to if it corrects your issue. If it does, I’ll replace mine. I honestly don’t think it’s the struts because mileage doesn’t seem to have any affect on the noise.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Central Texas
2016 S63 AMG
Just last week I had my 2016 S63 (18K miles) at the dealer for 5 year service (incl plugs) and a "clunk" noise coming from the passenger side rear going over small bumps. The passenger side rear strut was replaced under CPO warranty. No more noise! The dealer did not provide specific information on the failure, just that it needed replaced.
All good now!!
Norm
All good now!!
Norm
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 4
AMG GTS/S600 W221/SLK55 R171/C217 S63 Coupe
Sorry to resurrect this post, but I have a very slight 'clunk' noise coming from the rear of my S63 coupe with ~60k miles.
I removed the struts, checked the top mounts, torqued everyhing to spec, but it did not resolve anyhing.
Its driving me mad, to the point I want to sell the car.
The rest of the car is great, but the noise is super annoying.
I am about to order two new struts, but it would be great if anyone can confirm this solved the issue.
I removed the struts, checked the top mounts, torqued everyhing to spec, but it did not resolve anyhing.
Its driving me mad, to the point I want to sell the car.
The rest of the car is great, but the noise is super annoying.
I am about to order two new struts, but it would be great if anyone can confirm this solved the issue.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
2004 SL55
Sorry to resurrect this post, but I have a very slight 'clunk' noise coming from the rear of my S63 coupe with ~60k miles.
I removed the struts, checked the top mounts, torqued everyhing to spec, but it did not resolve anyhing.
Its driving me mad, to the point I want to sell the car.
The rest of the car is great, but the noise is super annoying.
I am about to order two new struts, but it would be great if anyone can confirm this solved the issue.
I removed the struts, checked the top mounts, torqued everyhing to spec, but it did not resolve anyhing.
Its driving me mad, to the point I want to sell the car.
The rest of the car is great, but the noise is super annoying.
I am about to order two new struts, but it would be great if anyone can confirm this solved the issue.
Basically it’s a set of sensors you attach to areas where you suspect the noise is coming from, go for a drive, and over a speaker or headphones you switch between each sensor to see which one is loudest and matches with noise.
Another way is to use cheap piezo sensors in a similar fashion and connect them to scope to see the waveform as you drive. The largest amplitude that matches with noise is going to be the source.
Last edited by JohnnydoeyR230; Jan 23, 2026 at 05:03 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
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AMG GTS/S600 W221/SLK55 R171/C217 S63 Coupe
thanks, I am pretty sure it is coming from the shock absorbers, I already removed the rear speaker. If you sit in the back you can feel the top of the strut with you hands and when it "knocks" you can feel it. Dont know it its the top plate of the strut, it is basically two metal plates with foam sandwiched in between, or something else.
I am going to replace the struts, and if that does not solve the issue, I am going to replace the car.
Drove my W221 S600 today, man that car is so quite and smooth. Maybe I should consider an S65 coupe with the ABC suspension....
I am going to replace the struts, and if that does not solve the issue, I am going to replace the car.
Drove my W221 S600 today, man that car is so quite and smooth. Maybe I should consider an S65 coupe with the ABC suspension....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,823
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
thanks, I am pretty sure it is coming from the shock absorbers, I already removed the rear speaker. If you sit in the back you can feel the top of the strut with you hands and when it "knocks" you can feel it. Dont know it its the top plate of the strut, it is basically two metal plates with foam sandwiched in between, or something else.
I am going to replace the struts, and if that does not solve the issue, I am going to replace the car.
Drove my W221 S600 today, man that car is so quite and smooth. Maybe I should consider an S65 coupe with the ABC suspension....
I am going to replace the struts, and if that does not solve the issue, I am going to replace the car.
Drove my W221 S600 today, man that car is so quite and smooth. Maybe I should consider an S65 coupe with the ABC suspension....
Your problem sounds like a bushing, most likely the top strut bushing (the rubber part in between the metal plates)...90% sure of that. Otherwise, you get the car up on a lift and inspect all the suspension bushings on that side. You should be able to identify what part is too loose or bound up where it won't move at all. If nothing is obvious, compare the right side to the left side for reference. I hate to see you throw money away and/or sell the car for a relatively small problem. I replaced my front-rear lower control arm a few months back because of a squeaky broken ball joint. It was super easy to identify and once the squeaking started it never stopped.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
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AMG GTS/S600 W221/SLK55 R171/C217 S63 Coupe
Ok guys quick update.
I was so fed up with the noise that I decided to order new struts.
One other thing that irritated me slightly is that the S63 coupe is more "bumpy" compared to an S500 coupe.
So i did some researching and found out that the struts are dimensionally exactly the same, but slighty more supple.
I took a little risk with this choice, but man, I could not be happier. The ride is perfectly smooth (much more what you'd expect from an S-Class), and above all, the knocking sound is completely gone.
The whole job took me 4,5 hours, I am getting really fast due to all the diagnosis hahaa.
The rear quarter interior panels are a PITA to reinstall correctly with the guides for the sunblinds, but all is well now.
Hope this helps anyone!
I was so fed up with the noise that I decided to order new struts.
One other thing that irritated me slightly is that the S63 coupe is more "bumpy" compared to an S500 coupe.
So i did some researching and found out that the struts are dimensionally exactly the same, but slighty more supple.
I took a little risk with this choice, but man, I could not be happier. The ride is perfectly smooth (much more what you'd expect from an S-Class), and above all, the knocking sound is completely gone.
The whole job took me 4,5 hours, I am getting really fast due to all the diagnosis hahaa.
The rear quarter interior panels are a PITA to reinstall correctly with the guides for the sunblinds, but all is well now.
Hope this helps anyone!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 4
AMG GTS/S600 W221/SLK55 R171/C217 S63 Coupe
CL550? of C217?
If you have an AMG S63, I highly recommend to swap both shocks for "regular" ones, they are exactly the same units just calibrated a little softer. Which IMHO drastically improves the ride. It will make it feel like an S-Class instead of a bouncy sportscoupe
If you have an AMG S63, I highly recommend to swap both shocks for "regular" ones, they are exactly the same units just calibrated a little softer. Which IMHO drastically improves the ride. It will make it feel like an S-Class instead of a bouncy sportscoupe
