Troubleshooting a clunking noise in the rear right. It's pretty loud, and feels a little "loose."

Both rear shocks were replaced in August 2008 (Bilstein comforts); also, both rear half-axles were replaced a few months ago (new boots, oil).

The noise is definitely only on the right hand side. I pulled the rear seat and checked the top of shock absorber, as well as the bolts bottom of the shock - they are all tight.

I jacked the car up, removed the wheel, and re-tightened the bold in the end of the axle. Everything looked normal, as far as I could tell.

When the car is on the ground, and I lay my body weight on the right rear corner to rock the car up and down, it feels like the shock is not traveling the full distance - like it's "clunking" or running into something that stops it.

On the left side, it glides perfectly up and down.

What am I missing?

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1984 300D: 275,000 miles (soon to be for sale)

In search of my 1987 300D in anything but white.

Check to sway bar "Z" link.

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83 SD

84 CD

So, is thing going to be cracked/broken, or just loose? I'm about to go take a look, so I'll probably answer my own question, soon enough.

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1984 300D: 275,000 miles (soon to be for sale)

In search of my 1987 300D in anything but white.

Scratch that: the right rear shock is blown. The outside of the cylinder is wet - as I inspected more closely, the top of the cylinder is full of oil.

Such a bummer...I was hoping to get more than 30k miles and 1.5 years out of the comfort Bilsteins. Needless to say, I'll be calling my parts supplier tomorrow morning.

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1984 300D: 275,000 miles (soon to be for sale)

In search of my 1987 300D in anything but white.

That's very unusual for a bilstein to blow out at less than 100K.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

That's what I thought too. I am almost positive, though...when I get it out, I'll have a better look at it.

The sway link looks fine. The axle is still in place and feels firm. That clunk feels like the shock is bottoming out. Plus, with all the oil on the shock itself, along with the spring, it seems like the shock.

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1984 300D: 275,000 miles (soon to be for sale)

In search of my 1987 300D in anything but white.

I believe Bilsteins are waranteed for life
http://www.bilsteinus.com/warranty.php

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95 E300D working out the kinks
77 300D, 227k, station car
83 300CD 370k, gone away
89 190E 2.6- 335k, no more
79 VW FI Bus- 145k miles, summer driver
59 VW Beetle ragtop- 175k miles
12 VW Jetta- 160k miles

Yeah, seems the shock is the problem. Replace in pairs, at least I would, an easy DIY. The "Z" links crack at the ball joint area.
my83... warranty "proof of purchase is required".

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83 SD

84 CD

Yeah, I know- the shaft retaining clip let go on a front shock so I had to replace it. Of course, I couldnt find the reciept at the time so I bought a new pair. I found the reciept a couple of days later.

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95 E300D working out the kinks
77 300D, 227k, station car
83 300CD 370k, gone away
89 190E 2.6- 335k, no more
79 VW FI Bus- 145k miles, summer driver
59 VW Beetle ragtop- 175k miles
12 VW Jetta- 160k miles