Popping noise driving me nuts!
 

So, before I took my trip a few weeks ago I had started just noticing a bit of a clicking/popping noise what seemed from the left front wheel well area. But before the popping, there was/is a faint rubbing sound when turning wheel to the right. Well, the popping is definitely getting more noticeable and it sounds almost like it's coming from right under my feet. I have visually checked out some of the bushings I can easily see from crawling partially under. I've tried duplicating the noise by pushing down on the left front fender - mimicking the floating action as it travels down the road but it simply won't make any noise! As much as I dislike working on my car on really hot and humid days, it appears I may need to at least get the left front wheel up in the air and see if I find unusual play in the suspension. Any suggestions?? Thanks....

PS: This is on the '95 wagon.

Big bar under the tire. Lift up.

Pry bar into places. Wiggle wiggle wiggle.

Sounds like a control arm bushing. Ball joint. Or tie rod. Ok that didnt narrow it down.

Try this:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/336940-w201-front-suspension-help.html#post3125251

Thanks for your replies, I believe the ol' pry bar will be utilized this weekend :-/

I failed to mention that most starts from a dead stop will render the *pop* sound. Then, sometimes - not always - it will make similar *pop* when decelerating and coming to a halt. Only on the left front. Almost seems like it's close to the door sill or aft-most location of the wheel well...

I'll check the forum replies in the morn - this ol' guy is headin' for the crib :P

Hmmmm. Is there a spring pad type device on this contraption?

You got it. Just not excited about having to dig into it. I know that feeling.

Could you expand a little on that comment, I'm just not following...? It does indeed have coil springs, are you referring to the base on which these sit? If so, I'm not 100% certain but I don't 'think' there are spring pads. I'll look into it though.

Yeah where ever it sits on.

85 - also check your eccentric bolts on the control arms. I had a similar symptom on my 124 and one of the bolts was not tightened for some reason. The sound went away.

Funny thing, I was just sitting here looking through the online Mercedes Shop Manual and I was reading about that! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I did raise the front end off the ground today and did some poking/prodding. The ball joints seem to be in good condition from what I can tell. The tires were approximately 3" off the ground and took a ~4' long 2x4 and pried upward. I could not detect any movement.

One thing I did do is spray some silicone onto the sway bar bushings and took it for short test drive. I don't know if I was wishfully thinking/hoping but it seemed to stop this popping noise. I'll be driving it in the morning, so we'll see. I do know that the car is due to have some front end maintenance as I've done nothing to it in the 6 years I've owned it. It had 75K on the clock at that time. Stay tuned. (OT - My new BOSAL rear muffler arrive today so I've got plenty to keep me busy! :)

Chances are that's what it is. See if the sway bar bushings have a gap where they go over the sway bar

Could it be as simple as shocks?

I'm assuming you're saying there should be no gap between the bushings and the bar itself? The bushings should fit snuggly around the bar. There appears to be gaps in certain areas. Well, this mystery MAY be close to resolution!

From what I can tell, the struts seem to still have life left in them. "Could it be?", I suppose it could but at this point I'm ruling them out.

A footnote about struts: my Indy mechanic once told me that they "rarely see" original struts go bad on these! Now I'm sure there will be some disagreement over that statement but keep in mind, he was making it from HIS OWN observations at THEIR shop. :)

Just went through this with my '95 sedan. Both the sway bar bushings and the inner control arm bushings can cause what you describe, especially if the eccentric bolts for the inner bushings are not tight (oh by the way if those are loose then you also need an alignment, and check to make sure all those eccentric bolts are tight after you get the car back, on both of my 124's I've had different shops leave those bolts loose...).

Which are the eccentric bolts? I'm just not confident I know where these are located! :eek: