Front Suspension Clunk Making me Batty!!!
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BackDoc0607 (12-20-2023)
07-06-2015, 05:43 PM
#27
Member
same problem here, already replace upper and lower ball joints, control arms, sway bar links, both spindles and clunking still there, but less or none when raised, so now iam thinking of replacing the air struts, i did buy the car used and it has arnotts already installed, is it possible for them to make the noise.
thanks
luis
thanks
luis
09-09-2015, 04:25 PM
#29
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2007 SL55 w/ 030
Arnott shocks
So when you replaced the shocks what was wrong with them? I had a bad arnott shock but did not have the clunking noise, had the strut replaced under warranty and now I have the noise . definitely annoying! I'll seee whatb my mechanic says.
JZ
JZ
09-13-2015, 07:07 AM
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
My car is starting to do this. It is the steering rack itself. The slide bushings are getting play in them. Very loud for a very small amount of play.
10-04-2015, 05:49 PM
#32
Senior Member
Did you end up solving this problem? Just replaced my front right strut with an Arnott and I now have this issue.
10-05-2015, 06:50 AM
#33
MBWorld Fanatic!
01-10-2016, 07:12 PM
#36
The clunking noise may be the airmatic pump rattling. I had this problem for years until a mechanic finally figured out what was wrong.
The solution was to replace the bracket holding the airmatic pump, and install some thick washers on the spring posts that hold the pump in place (there was still some play even after replacing the bracket and springs, and the washers tightened it up). You may be able to fix it by just adding thick washers to the spring posts. Take off the driver side fender liner and you can inspect the airmatic pump to see how much play it has in the bracket.
The solution was to replace the bracket holding the airmatic pump, and install some thick washers on the spring posts that hold the pump in place (there was still some play even after replacing the bracket and springs, and the washers tightened it up). You may be able to fix it by just adding thick washers to the spring posts. Take off the driver side fender liner and you can inspect the airmatic pump to see how much play it has in the bracket.
08-08-2016, 10:25 AM
#37
Words worth weight in gold +16more Oz just cause
+1 for C.Arms and lower ball joints
Mine has only clunked once on the left side after a beat down session in the mountains this weekend. I drive with the radio off and hear every creak, groan, tink and thunk.
The noise I heard was turning hard to left stopped.
. It feels weak like the PS pump cannot keep up. I have a leaking rack from a previous owners neglect, that may be losing more with the force of the turn while stopped, maybe losing pressure. But that does not explain the chunk...?
It is only on the left side...?
To fix I figured at 123k it needs a refurb. So my list will start with C Arms, L. ball joints and upgrade my 2004 to a 2006 E55 rack.
I would love some poly bushings to firm stuff up, but if OEM last 125k miles why jack around with their engineering much... Love a Guru's info on if there are Poly-bush upgrades someone has found that work?
I drive in the mountains a bunch and this sloppiness is not cutting it, time to make her drive newish again... Or think about coil's again :-/
Convince me to fix stock please :-)
Mine has only clunked once on the left side after a beat down session in the mountains this weekend. I drive with the radio off and hear every creak, groan, tink and thunk.
The noise I heard was turning hard to left stopped.
. It feels weak like the PS pump cannot keep up. I have a leaking rack from a previous owners neglect, that may be losing more with the force of the turn while stopped, maybe losing pressure. But that does not explain the chunk...?
It is only on the left side...?
To fix I figured at 123k it needs a refurb. So my list will start with C Arms, L. ball joints and upgrade my 2004 to a 2006 E55 rack.
I would love some poly bushings to firm stuff up, but if OEM last 125k miles why jack around with their engineering much... Love a Guru's info on if there are Poly-bush upgrades someone has found that work?
I drive in the mountains a bunch and this sloppiness is not cutting it, time to make her drive newish again... Or think about coil's again :-/
Convince me to fix stock please :-)
06-17-2018, 12:30 AM
#38
Junior Member
My car started making the popping noise right after I replaced front shocks with Arnott units. I am still uncertain where the noise originates. I do need sway bar connecting pieces replaced at least.
06-17-2018, 12:40 AM
#39
Junior Member
No, the upper part of the strut bolts directly on to the body with 3 12mm nuts on to bolts coming from the strut top. The air pressure pipe connects to the center from the engine bay side. It does not have a bearing or gap. The rotation of the lower part of the strut is handled internally in the strut body somewhere. Since I noticed the same popping for the very first time, right after installing arnott struts, I wonder if it is typical to Arnott. 
(I still have not solved or really devoted dedicated time to it. I need to use the body shop equip with microphones strapped to various components and get to the root of this issue.
(I still have not solved or really devoted dedicated time to it. I need to use the body shop equip with microphones strapped to various components and get to the root of this issue.
08-03-2018, 08:01 PM
#40
Member
I have a heavy clunk sound in the front suspension on both sides. Sounds like metal. I’ve inspected the suspension and haven’t found any visibly worn, so I think now it’s the wheel bearings. Not sure about that, tho. I did the “push-pull” test on opposite sides of the wheel and got a very small amount of play. The edges of the tires may have moved 1/16” to 1/8”, but not more. Does that indicate bad bearings? The car rolls along quietly , but I just don’t know what else it could be. Also, I have the Arnott air struts on both sides in the front. Anyone have a clunking sound with those installed? The sound is over anything small in the road. Doesn’t have to be a speed bump. Can be as small as a 1” crack in the road surface for it to make the sound. Any advice on what the root cause of the sound could be would be greatly appreciated!!
08-08-2018, 10:32 AM
#41
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2008 E63
I have a heavy clunk sound in the front suspension on both sides. Sounds like metal. I’ve inspected the suspension and haven’t found any visibly worn, so I think now it’s the wheel bearings. Not sure about that, tho. I did the “push-pull” test on opposite sides of the wheel and got a very small amount of play. The edges of the tires may have moved 1/16” to 1/8”, but not more. Does that indicate bad bearings? The car rolls along quietly , but I just don’t know what else it could be. Also, I have the Arnott air struts on both sides in the front. Anyone have a clunking sound with those installed? The sound is over anything small in the road. Doesn’t have to be a speed bump. Can be as small as a 1” crack in the road surface for it to make the sound. Any advice on what the root cause of the sound could be would be greatly appreciated!!
11-05-2018, 11:23 AM
#44
Super Member
Shortly after I replaced 2 Arnott air struts and 2 Arnott air bag, I started to hear the loud clunking noise in the front and some in the rear as well. So I replaced the upper and lower control arms in the front but the noise is still there. The mechanic checked the sway bar end links and didn't see anything wrong. I don't know what else to replace. Could it the Arnotts that making the clunking noise???
11-05-2018, 05:48 PM
#45
MBWorld Fanatic!
Shortly after I replaced 2 Arnott air struts and 2 Arnott air bag, I started to hear the loud clunking noise in the front and some in the rear as well. So I replaced the upper and lower control arms in the front but the noise is still there. The mechanic checked the sway bar end links and didn't see anything wrong. I don't know what else to replace. Could it the Arnotts that making the clunking noise???
See if if you can easily slide fingers between the oil pan and the front sway bar. If not; it is time for engine mounts.... Again.
12-04-2018, 04:24 PM
#46
Super Member
I don''t know how to do this so I forwarded this to my mechanic. He checked what you have mentioned here and said mine was okay. I don't know why the clunk noice is till there.
12-04-2018, 04:38 PM
#47
MBWorld Fanatic!
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dustinN (12-05-2018)
12-05-2018, 12:16 PM
#48
Super Member
Struts are able to clunk too. If your tech can't find the sources of noises take it to someone who has 'chassis ears' (a special tool) so that multiple microphones can be attached to likely sources of clunks.... As the noise happens the mic with the most noise wins. Dealerships are most likely to have this tool. Expect to pay for the effort it takes.
Thank you all.
