Front drivers side suspension knocking

[MattBelliveau]

The drivers side front suspension is knocking and i can't figure it out. Everything seems to be tight and in order, and I repacked the wheel bearings thinking that might be the problem (no signs of wear). No difference. It is pronounced around right turns. Any advice?

[TheV12pwr]

Check shock bushings!

[psfred]

Check the ball joint -- jack tire free of the ground and pry up on the bottom of the tire, where it would contact the ground. Any vertical movement of the ball joint, replace it.

hard to see on a W123, but if the boot is torn, expect the joint to have failed.

Peter

[MattBelliveau]

OK. I'll check it out.

[deanyel]

Maybe a missing or bad sway bar bushing.

[gidpor]

Does it knock all the time ?
Only on bumps ?
Only when you brake?
Only when you turn the wheel ?
Can you produce the noise when vehicle not moving - pushing down on the body ?
If you can narrow it down, I believe you can get a lot of good advice .

[MattBelliveau]

I can't really produce the noise while not moving. I don't notice anything more over bumps; slight when going straight, pronounced around right turns, not brakes, not wheel bearings.

[gidpor]

After you try Peters Idea, if that does not do it - try using a helper with car in place. Have them turn the wheel to the right while you listen carefully. Better yet put your hand on the Bearing Bracket (front sub-frame) to see if it is the culprit. I once had that exact thing happen when I over tightened the bearing bracket bolt . As a result it sheared part of the metal sleeve of the rubber bushing making that clank when turning right.
I could not believe it came from there and only touching it while turning the wheel confirmed an old timers guess.

[going_postal]

Check the brake rod bushings at the rear of the rod.

[MattBelliveau]

Okay, I think I found the problem. Upper control arm bushing (where the part mounts to the body/frame) are shot. Is it posible to change this with the control arm in the vehicle or would I need to pull the arm and take to shop to press. I guess my question is: can I do this myself by simply buying the new bushing? Is it a safety hazard to drive it in this condition?

[gidpor]

If I understand you correctly, then the arm must come of. You can do it yourself and there is plenty in the archives about how. I did both sides at the same time. You could buy the bushing itself , or the complete assembly.
For a DIY I found it was more expensive to buy the complete assembly, but less work = cheaper in the long run.
good luck

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=1J70J8JW31JT05V3XA&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1983&product=L2000-16064&application=000012688

[wbain5280]

They like to be changed in pairs. The other side may be marginal and need to be replaced after the original side is replaced.

IMHO.