300SDL front suspension issue
 

1987 300 SDL, 187K miles

The right front wheel has a very little bit of play when jacked up and gripping front tire at 10 and 4 o'clock. A 'clunk' noise going over bumps has started in the past couple of weeks and as of recent has started to 'groan' on slow speed turns. Any ideas what component(s) is going... ball joint maybe...?

Also, if I'm going to start replacing components, which ones make sense to do while "I'm in there"...?

Hey Andy,

The two symptoms do not appear to be from the same culprit. The clunk could definitely be a lower ball joint, but the groan could very well be wheel bearings that are in need of a repack.

I'd have a front end shop check for play in the ball joints before tackling them............it's a miserable job............and a spring compressor is almost mandatory.

While you are in there, I'd seriously look at the LCA bushings and the guide rod mounts. If they've never been done, the time to do them is when the spring is out.

If you're feeling flush, the upper control arms and stabilizer bar bushings would be next on the list.

On the 116/123/126 chassis vehicles there is no need to remove the spring or use a spring compressor when R&R a lower ball joint. Lowering the lower control arm onto a stand or block would prevent any strain on the shock or a safety chain could be threaded thru the spring if someone is paranoid

First the caliper and wheel hub/rotor is removed. The steering spindle is then removed after disconnecting the tie rod's ball joint, the upper control arm's ball joint and last the lower control arm from the lower ball joint's stud.

With the steering spindle removed the failed ball joint is extracted from the spindle and a new ball joint installed. The spindle is then reinstalled in reverse order.

Having just completed all the front end work on the SD, and observing the location of the ball joint, I stand my my previous statement. I would never want to extract the spindle from the LCA with the spring in place. I wouldn't advise anyone else to attempt it, either.

Though they may look ugly replacing the lower ball joints is actually not a difficult job with the spring in. I replaced both mine in a little under 3 hours.

my W201 has the same clunk from the passenger side from wheel, but ive only noticed this going over ONE particular speed bump.

Follow up
 

Thanks guys for your replies.

I will attempt to take a more definitive look this weekend and start with repacking front bearings first, and then go from there...

Best Regards!

Andy

Spring stays in place when replacing upper or lower ball joints on this car. I've replaced several...

Your "clunk" could be, and is most likely, the large guide rod bushing.