PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Shock gone bad, how can you tell?

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Greetings all,

I have been getting this thump or clunk when I shut down the engine on my '80 300TD The sound comes directly from the drivers wheel well. I also get this light thump nearing the end of my braking action coming up to a stop sign, as the nose of the car should be at it's decent. Not a whole lot of nose dive or lift at all on this car, that's why I mention this. I had pulled off the wheels on both sides last week, to lube the brake pads to rid it of the awful squeel, that worked great. The thumping sound existed then but I didn't fine anything loose or rubbing, but the drivers shock did have seepage stains on the housing, but it wasn't pouring fluid. I did the bounce test on the front end, and unless you have a few hundred pounds to weight down the bumper it aint gonna bounce back up at you several times like an American car will, I'm lucky to see it just come back up to normal height, no bounce at all occuring. Any other ways of telling if the shock is going dead? I just can't help but think that the shock is bottoming out and thus the clunk. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
If it is the shock, any recommendations on whether Bilstein or Boge are better?

Charles

Sounds more like a motor mount. If a strut or shock were that far gone, you would be able to get at least a little rebound. Since you get this sound when you shut the engine down, I have to assume that the car is not moving, so, to me it would be unlikely that a strut or shock is producing the clunk. But, hey..who knows. I would look elsewhere. Get some one to shut the engine off while you stand on that side with the hood open. You may be able to get a better fix on the noise that way.

Should have mentioned

Greetings Jeff,

I guess I should have mentioned in my post that I had changed the engine mount and engine shock on that side about 300 miles ago thinking along the same lines as you mentioned. Didn't help a bit, not even dampened the slight rocking motion the engine was giving.

Charles

Check the upper mounts for the shock, bushings in the control arm and...BTW make sure the parts you replaced are all secure. You never know!!