Hi, i have a '87 300TD that just developed a clunking when hitting a bump or turning. I jacked up each wheel and tested for play. The left rear moved around quite a bit. you can visibly see the axle move behind the hub when you shake the rotor around. Nothing else in the suspension moves. I'm pretty sure I need a wheel bearing, but I haven't, and still don't notice any whining while driving, which seems strange to me. This is a wheel bearing, right? Thanks in a advance.

Sounds like a very worn wheel bearing.

I suggest replacing the lower wheel carrier bushing at the same time.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

X2 on the wheel bearing. Also check your rubbers on your suspention links. if they look melted or frayed or are not centerred in there rubber you should replace them at your discretion.

I took care of the rear wheel bearing. It was really wobbly. Unfortunately that didn't take care of the noise. it is coming from the front passenger side. I changed the ball joint a year ago when I got the car. I'm pretty sure I didn't mess it up when I installed it. I also can't feel any play in it, or anything in the suspension for that matter. It feels like a bad sway bar bushing, or at least what people on this board describe as symptoms of a bad sway bar bushing. I can't feel any play in it, and they look fine. It's weird. other than the scary thumping, there are no steering issues, no strange tire wear. It just makes rattling sounds when going over bumpy roads, and the occasional clunk when hitting a large bump, usually when only 1 wheel goes over the bump and while turning. Thank you for any suggestions.

xweezyx, check the condition of the steering damper.

__________________
Fred Hoelzle

Possibly front sway bar bushings.

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

I had the big nut on top of the strut loosen up on me and it have me some bumping rattling nioses. Drove me nuts for a week or so.

The ball joint you replaced. Was the replacement a Lemforder or Febi and not one of those those el cheapo Sleeezeebay specials?

Several years ago I had the same issue in my 300E, could not figure it out the clunking coming from the front passenger area (when turning and hitting a bump), until I realized the battery was loose.....

__________________
1999 Porsche 996 Carrera Convertible
1994 420E - SOLD
1986 300E - SOLD, what a car
609 Certified

solved, one of my sway bar mounts in the front had snapped.

I was going to mention this after reading your initial post, but I thought a sway bar bracket breaking was a remote possibility for anyone else. I guess it's more common than I thought. At least the mount was a cheap fix at $33.82 with tax.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

Same symptoms on my 300E but it is coming from the rear. All link bushings look good along with the subframe mounts and differential bushings. No broken rear sway bar mounts or anything else obvious. No wheel play. 2 mechanics looked at it too without finding anything.

A real mystery. 110k miles on my 1989 300E. Thinking only a suspension shop can find the issue.....

__________________


1989 300E

2005 Acura TL

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Swing hard! Take chances!

There's nothing mysterious about the rear end. The rear subframe mounts in front of the wheel can look OK, but actually look like this once you pop em out. My car was quite "clunky" with these bushings.

__________________
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Did you have a look to the suspension springs? They break sometimes

Let us know when you have found

__________________
Keep us posted especially if your problem is solved
Present cars:
My car: E-class 420CDI, 2008, W211, V8, 180 000km

Wife's one: C-class 220CDI Sport Coupé, Euro, 2002, W203. 345 000km

Son's one: GLK class 220CDI, 2009, W204

Sold E class 260E, W124, 1988 beloved car sold after 489 000 kilometres of reliable services (engine M103, clutch and 5 speed manual gear box all original).

E-class, W210 320CDI, 2000[/B], 225 000km, Sold

Im also chasing down a clunking - for sure its from the Rear left wheel side, going over bumps and potholes, its more like a low tone rattle, because sometimes the wheel will go over a bump quietly.