Update:

New tires installed yesterday--tech could not find any loose suspension parts. He thought maybe wheel bearings needed servicing, but tech could not remove one of the bearing caps. I told them to leave it, I plan to do it myself in the next week or two.

There is a small amount of slop when grasping the tire at 6 and 12, my understanding is that this is most likely a bearing issue.

I'm beginning to think that the clunk I hear/feel when driving over a bump at low speed is due to worn sway bar bushings. They are relatively inexpensive, I'll change them out when I look at the bearings.

Finally, the MB service CD specifies a procedure to check the lower control arm. The procedure revealed that all was still within limits. Hard to believe for a 230,000 mile car, but then again, this car has had a very sheltered life. It was the dealerships MB roadside service vehicle for about 6,000 miles, it was then driven by my mother for several years, mostly highway trips and rarely in rain or snow.........

Thanks again for the posts.

J. M. van Swaay

__________________
1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles