Have been reading past threads, but no joy. Evrytime I go over a pot-hole or bump I seem to get a thud like sound from the front end. Also I feel light tapping through the throttle pedel.

I am assuming the later to be engine mounts, but would be grateful If someone would confirm this or let me know what it could be. As for the first question I suspect the subframe bushes
and was thinking of replacing them ,but please do tell, if it might be something simpler. By the way if it was the bushes, do thay just come out or will thay have to be pressed?

Appreciate all replys ,Thanks.

Have you eliminated the obvious possiblities?

jacking front of car up (use jack stands) and wiggle wheel feeling for support joint (ball joint)?

Check sway bar bushings, etc.

Joel

I have arranged a time with a friend who will let me use his 4 poster ramp. Then I can check the bits you have mentioned, most grateful ,thank you.

Try doing a search on "guide rod mounts". I think you'll read about the symptoms you describe.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Hi Dhanda,

this is how my motor mount and damper look at the driver side.
If your's is collapsed, it should look more compressed than this. I believe you get engine shake also from it.

There is a thread on how to change them, you need to lift the engine and need to watch the radiator.

Good luck

Reinhard Kreutzer

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Thanks for the picture, I think you've nailed the problem for me.
My motor mounts are well low.

Motor mounts will definitely make noise, but not like you are describing. Mike has probably got it right and the only reason I mention it is you aren't listening to him and the problem can not be determined visually.

I can guarantee that if the boot is broken on the caster joint (as I call it - Mike calls it a guide tube mount) then it is bad. here is a picture (sorry about the size) that I pasted from this article:

http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic4232.html

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__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician