Loud popping noise in hardtop

[Richard Wooldridge]

Hi there,
My '79 450SL hardtop has developed a loud popping noise that seems to occur randomly, probably from the body torqueing a little on rough roads. It seems to be coming from right behind my left ear as I'm driving! It only started after I replaced the rear swaybar links, one of which was missing, the other very loose. Has anyone else run across this problem, and if so, what did you do to fix it? Now that I've replaced the steering coupler, rebuilt the power steering pump, replaced the servo with a digital upgrade, replaced the shifter bushings and replaced the interior the car is looking real good, and driving real good as well. So this noise is the only thing disturbing my nice ride!

[Richard Wooldridge]

Hi there,
Well, last night I loosened all the fasteners (two in front, two on sides, rear) and resecured the top, and today we went for a ride, and NO Noise! I'm thinking something must have been in a bind somewhere- glad the noise is gone.