Worn and dry ball joints can definitely "clank" when unloaded.

Just had the ball joint snap on my 300d. I didnt pay much attention to the squeak...I'll never do that again. Its the wifes car. Luckily she was just backing out of the driveway when it happened. If that had happened on the freeway.....I dont even want to think about it.

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VegStew
1983 300SD 70,000 WVO Powered miles
1990 300D In driveway with Head Off - Cracked

I'll probably catch hell for assuming that the W126 and W123 are arraigned similarly as far as the spindle and ball joint go......in this case the weight of the vehicle presses the ball into the socket......so if driven gently, you should be able to get by for a little while.....

However the W201 cars (and I don't know how many others) are arraigned with the ball joint pressed into the wishbone, thus the weight of the car is pulling the ball from the socket.....a much less desirable situation, and should be changed soonest.....

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

123/126 spindles are interchangeable. very similar design on the front end, many parts can be swapped.(especially{Only?} early 126)

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

W123 - W126

FYI the ball joint is press fit into steering knuckle.

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My have been goign tok tok over bumps for a while now. However the other day the right front started to squeek and the steering has started to shake again. As soon as I pinpoint all the parts that i'll need i'm going to do the job.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."