Ducati,

That is a classic description of a lower ball joint noise. Suspension noises are hard to pinpoint even with a stethoscope, because the noise telegraphs. I diagnosed the noise coming from the left lower ball joint on a client's 300DT a few months ago. It was making so much noise that after I replaced it I could hear the other one making noise. Since my client plays first chair violin for the San Francisco symphony, I knew I best change it too. She is an incredible lady and has an incredible ear. Now the car is quieter than a mouse pissin on cotton.

God luck,
Peter

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Now I have a new goal

Being close to fifty, and what with the ol' engorged prostate thing happening, I know how quiet and sneaky this whole pissin in cotton thing is...Ahem..I digress... Anyways, what tools are required to replace lower ball joints, or should I just cheap out on the presents this season and pay a professional?

Ducati,
That might be a good call for this particular job. The ball joints aren't that expensive, and the labor isn't that much or that difficult. What will get you if you try to do it yourself is pressing the new joints into place. Without the special tool it's a bear. Ask others on this site. A machinist won't be able to do much better without the tool.Unless you are looking for a challenge, I'd let a pro with the special MB tool do it.

Good luck,
Peter

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Another liberal spraying of silicone spray seems to have done the trick. The stuff must have penetrated into some tight and previously unlubricated crevace. The horrible skronking noise has stopped now.