Front suspension clanking noise when cold, car pulls to the right...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 9
From: NY
Sold - 05' E55
I've had the same noise since I've owned the car (not pulling, just the noise) and I've replaced much of the same parts. I've had a MB tech attach these stethoscope pieces (not sure what they are called?) went for a ride, and he couldn't isolate the exact location?
So, it leads me to believe that its either the top of the air strut where it mounts to the car , or the inside of the air strut itself. I have the same issue, that I'll typically hear the noise more so in the colder months. Annoying, but at this point the strut is working so I'm not inclined to change it, at least not right now.
So, it leads me to believe that its either the top of the air strut where it mounts to the car , or the inside of the air strut itself. I have the same issue, that I'll typically hear the noise more so in the colder months. Annoying, but at this point the strut is working so I'm not inclined to change it, at least not right now.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: SoFla
2004 E55 AMG
Same exact symptoms as the OP for the past year now. I have full access to an alignment rack 24/7 and have replaced numerous front end parts. Pull to the right like a mother ****er and "cold" clunk that goes away after warming up.
Countless alignments
New front end parts
New tires continental (have been rotated all possible ways)
Front strus = MB bilstein remans
Rear struts = Arnott
Multiple level calibrations trying different variations
****in drives me nuts
Countless alignments
New front end parts
New tires continental (have been rotated all possible ways)
Front strus = MB bilstein remans
Rear struts = Arnott
Multiple level calibrations trying different variations
****in drives me nuts
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 15
From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
Have you tries to use a mechanics stethoscope on all front end components to verify where the noise is coming from? 10 minutes using the video method should get you some results, could save a pocket full of money changing out parts. IMO
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 594
Likes: 8
05 E55, 06 Audi S4
I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure. I have no left/right pull. And got an alignment anyway. Car has had low speed clunk for last 7k miles. I feel it could be the air struts. Hopefully someone gets to the bottom of this. Mine is even more noticeable noise wise if car is in raised position. Sounds just like the one in YouTube video.
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 2
From: Memphis
2009 SL63 AMG
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2005 Mercedes E55 AMG
No mine still doin it... Last week I had the lower ball joints replaced again... Upper control arm ball joints sway bar links everything...my next think is the lower controll arm the one that the shock/air bag
is sitting on... There 3 ball joints on it or bushing they might be doing the clunking...especially the one that the swaybar end long is attached to..
is sitting on... There 3 ball joints on it or bushing they might be doing the clunking...especially the one that the swaybar end long is attached to..
)
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
s500
S500 - W221
Our car has done less than 57000kms and does the same thing for the first 5 km. Sounds like shock absorbers but then goes away. I checked the lower bushes and sway bar links but both look okay. The puzzling thing is that it stops after a short time. We would like to find out the cause as it's driving us nuts too!!!
UPDATE: Found the problem. The rattle slowly got worse. We replaced the link arms between the sway bar and suspension but wasn't the problem. Had another look and found that the front RH brake caliper was loose. The bolts are lock tighted so were still tight but the caliper was loose. Cranked the bolts up tight and the rattle ceased. I only discovered the loose caliper by turning the disc backwards and forwards and heard a clunking. I first thought it was the disc pads moving but found it was the whole caliper. Checked all the other callipers and they were tight.
UPDATE: Found the problem. The rattle slowly got worse. We replaced the link arms between the sway bar and suspension but wasn't the problem. Had another look and found that the front RH brake caliper was loose. The bolts are lock tighted so were still tight but the caliper was loose. Cranked the bolts up tight and the rattle ceased. I only discovered the loose caliper by turning the disc backwards and forwards and heard a clunking. I first thought it was the disc pads moving but found it was the whole caliper. Checked all the other callipers and they were tight.
I've owned my W211 only for a couple of months and except for the soft suspension I love the car.
One problem I've noticed with it is that when the car is cold there is a clanking sound from the front suspension when going over bumps and uneven surfaces at low speeds. It disappears after I've driven the car for a while and also at speeds over 35-40MPH.
The other issue is that generally the car pulls to the right at speeds under 70MPH. Yes, it's intermittent but it happens about 85-90% of the time on smooth roads. The car just had an alignment when I purchased it and I asked for a print out which looked really good.
After a decent amount of searching I had my shop tighten the bearings then replaced the front sway bar drop links, followed by upper and lower ball joints. Upon visual inspection after removal the old parts were still good (car has 80K miles on it). Then had another alignment. But the suspension refresh did not help - the noise is still there, and the car still pulls to the right.
At this point the only possible culprit would be the air suspension. Has anyone else experienced that? I would rather not have to go through the trouble of replacing the air springs unless I absolutely have to.
Thanks!
One problem I've noticed with it is that when the car is cold there is a clanking sound from the front suspension when going over bumps and uneven surfaces at low speeds. It disappears after I've driven the car for a while and also at speeds over 35-40MPH.
The other issue is that generally the car pulls to the right at speeds under 70MPH. Yes, it's intermittent but it happens about 85-90% of the time on smooth roads. The car just had an alignment when I purchased it and I asked for a print out which looked really good.
After a decent amount of searching I had my shop tighten the bearings then replaced the front sway bar drop links, followed by upper and lower ball joints. Upon visual inspection after removal the old parts were still good (car has 80K miles on it). Then had another alignment. But the suspension refresh did not help - the noise is still there, and the car still pulls to the right.
At this point the only possible culprit would be the air suspension. Has anyone else experienced that? I would rather not have to go through the trouble of replacing the air springs unless I absolutely have to.
Thanks!
Last edited by Gloria Dyer; Oct 1, 2018 at 12:53 AM. Reason: Solved the problem
