Hi All; I have a thumping noise in the right front of my 84 500 SEL. It only happens when going slow, about 5 to 10 mph on a gravel road or parking lot (lots of small bumps, dips, etc). IT doesn't happen all the time, just once and a while. I have never heard the noise on paved roads unless I hit a pothole with the right front wheel. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I would start by checking the balljoints for play.

GregS

No play in ball joints. That was checked first. Anything else?

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I had a similar "Clunking" sound when I'd hit a road imperfection while going slow. I recently replaced just about every joint, rod or bushing in the front end of my 126. After I replaced the guide rod joints, the noise dissappeared. Not really a hard job to do in terms of skill, but a good deal of grunt work. Check your joints out, they're positioned close to where your feet are.

Hope this helps.

its most likely the thrust rod bushings. they have a few other names. its the bushings that are mounted on the body. just follow the lower rod from the lower control arm to the bushings.
not hard to do. one thing though. if the rod bushing in the lower arm is bad, then your looking at a lot more work. you'll need the spring compressor.

How do I check them? Take them apart and look? Try to pry up or down or front to rear?

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

use a big screwdriver and push forward. if any travel, that's it. also you can have someone watch the front tire as you roll forward and brake. they will see the tire move back and forth.

Thanks MBSHOP
I'll try both ways

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I did the tracking rod joints or what ever they are called on both my 126's and they were bad on both cars. Makes that thump go away......
William Rogers......