Okay, I was driving home from a meeting tonight, when I started hearing what almost sounded like a clunking coming from the left rear of the car, kinda following the suspension travel (it doesn't happen all the time, but the car's moving up and down or right-to-left whenever it happens; it's not a wheel rotation issue). It got so bad that I had to pull over and make sure that a wheel wasn't about to come off. All lug bolts were in place, and all were tight (checked with the wrench). I started driving again, only to have the sound come back. This time, I got off the freeway and into a gas station parking lot, and took alook under the suspension...everything, offhand, looked okay. I don't think I could do a more thorough inspection without jacking up the car and pulling the wheel, which I was not prepared to do at that time. However, everything looked to be okay. The noise sounds kinda high up, so my guess at this point is that the upper shock mount either came off or is loose.

Any thoughts? I don't think this is related (at one point, I thought it might have been, but I don't think so now; I had my girlfriend drive while I sat back there to try to pinpoint the nose), but the left rear window won't roll down anymore (but that's another thread)...

Thanks in advance!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Shock could be going bad.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

A shock going bad would make that kinda noise? Wow...

When the shocks get worn, the rod rattles against the outer body of the shock. It is most likely not the mounting which consists only of two rubber mounts.

Remove the upper back seat and you can quickly check to see that the upper mount is tight.

Good luck,

Rear sway bar links.

They are mostly plastic. Make an incredible noise when bad.

Ken300D

I had a similar clunking/rattle on the right rear when I got my car..... I checked everything and never could figure it out. Then, when cleaning and installing new rear speakers I had the back seat out and discovered that the plastic cap that covers the upper shock mount was off and laying under the seat. I don't know if it was the cover clunking around or just the noise let in through the uncapped hole but the clunking is now gone. Maybe it will be something that easy. Good luck.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

my muffler and exhaust system will do that occassionally. Check the clearance between the pipe and the rear diff. and the muffler mounts near the bumper.

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

Sounds like the rear swaybar link to me, as suggested earlier. Left rear on my 300D was shot when I got it, makes a heck of a noise up under there. Hope that's it - quick and easy fix!

f

my sway bar links were shot too, but they never made the magnitude of noise that made me pull over in fear for my life. This sounds like something more.

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

i think i have the same problem.ive checked the rear shocks and they are good all mounts are tight top and bottom.where are these plastic sway bar bushings located and how do you change out

Sway bar is bolted to the bottom of the trunk. Links between the sway bar ends and wheel carrier are obvious -- about 3-4" long with a "swivel" on each end.

The tygon in the pivot wears out, and this allows the metal ball/bolt and socket to bang. Also if one end is free, it can flail around.

The sway bar bushings up on the trunk floor can go bad and fall out, allowing the sway bar to bang on the metal mount.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Turned out I was right...on the left side, the shock was completely loose. One nut and the rubber bushing are long-gone; I found the other tucked in a corner. THe right side looks fine, and I can't push the left side shock down, so I presume that means it's okay...

Now I just have to find one nut and the bushing...

Make sure you CAN push the shock down, with some pressure. If not, is it sticking (bent)? that will make trouble, too.

You'll find out soon enough when you get the mount back on!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Same thing just happened on 82 300d but, the right rear corner. Found one nut. Just picked up new bushings and hardware. Weird.

Wow this was an olddddd thread...

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