S63 Suspension Clunk
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
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2001 S500, 1996 E320, 1983 380SL
S63 Suspension Clunk
Hey guys just got a 16 S63 sedan with 180k and I’m trying to chase down a rattle/clunking over smaller bumps, already tried sway bar links and upper control arms, drove it with the sway bar links removed and still the same. All bushings and joints seem tight, lower control arms appear newer and the steering rack looks almost brand new. It doesn’t really feel loose but the front end sounds like crap going over bumps. Can it be broken inside the shocks? Any ideas?
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Get it on a hoist. You need a large strong male for this. Bottom of tire. 6:00. One hand on inside. One hand on outside of tire. Shake slowly side to side while you watch ball joints with a bright flashlight for movement. He needs to put some weight into it. Any movement at lower pivots says replace that arm or both lower arms. Aftermarket arms in it? Look there first. Next grab the tire at 3:00 and repeat to find worn steering parts. You have enough miles on it that everything is suspect. The ballpoint at the bottom of the strut is also suspect.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
2001 S500, 1996 E320, 1983 380SL
Tried that yesterday, retorqued bolts can’t find nothing or duplicate the noise under the car. The only thing that I found was the axle shafts have a little play when moving them around but not sure if it’s that being that there’s no shake or vibration. It almost sounds like strut mounts on a standard strut car. Just don’t wanna start throwing thousands at it guessing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 1,224
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Strut mounts are much improved for the 222 vs 221 and 220. It is possible to have a clunk in the dampener in the air strut. OEM only. Aftermarket alternatives are hit and miss at the very best.
