I have a highly annoying driver's side front end "rattle". It is most noticeable at lower speeds and occurs at almost every bump of any size. I don't notice it at freeway speeds. It seems to also occur when braking, even on smooth pavement. I have had Les Shwaab inspect front end suspension and steering linkage. The only thing that they can identify is a lower control arm bushing that "might" need replacement eventually. They can't find the source of the noise.

With the car parked, I can hear a distinct "clicking" sound if I push down on that corner of the car and I can feel a corresponding "click" if I grasp the shock absorber (or the top of the shock mount under the hood). The shocks seem to be in decent shape otherwise (not too much bounce, decent cornering).

Could a bad control arm bushing transmit play to the shock? Anybody ever notice a shock that doesn't travel smoothly? Should I replace the bushing before the shocks? The exisiting shocks are not Bilsteins (silver I think) and I imagine should eventually be replaced. The budget for repairs on the "cheap" new car is a little low this month.

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1979 300D 275K

I would "lean" (sorry) toward the shock.
Can you get a helper to push down on the car while you inspect from below?

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83 SD

84 CD

I had rattles on my W116. Symptoms sounded like yours. New shocks solved the problem. Should take about 3 hrs to replace all 4 shocks.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13