Front end clunk - advise needed
 

Hello Friends,

Lately my 1984 500 SEL has developed a front end clunk when I brake to a complete stop. The clunk is definately on the drivers side and is distinctive.

From searching in the archive I suspect that I need to change the guide rod mount (or mounts).

Is this a PITA-job and should I go for both sides at once? Also if someone now the approximate price for the mount it would be good to know? Any advise on how I should tackle this job?

Many thanks in advance.

Mikael Westerberg
1984 500 SEL
Vanersborg, Sweden

I had a clunk in my front end and after new shocks, tie rod, drag link and steering arm it turned out to be the bushings on the sway bar. go figure. It was a 190e 2.3 16 BTW.

I would check the front end before going further. It can be lower ball joint or as well something unexpected.

Hi Again,

I crawled under the car late last night and found that the rubber boot on both mounts were indeed cracked which suggests replacement time according to the search i did on the list.

I´m fairly sure it´s not a ball joint issue because I had it on the "safety and emmisions test" about 6 weeks ago were they have a "shaker" rig and go over the steering related parts for play. There was no play in any of the ball joints at all although the clunk was there.

I have also been under quite a few times searching for play in all the obvious place without finding any play at all (although I cant provoke the clunk by hand.

Any more input on how though of a job this is?

Many thanks for the help/ Mikael

More Advice
 

Something that I learned from a fellow forum member in looking for strange noises in the front end. Make sure you have both front wheels off the ground when "searching". This led to the discovery of my problem that was not audible when wheels were on the ground
.02 John K

I had a bad ball joint on my 87 300E, drivers side that made a groaning sound when turnining and stopping, but showed no signs of looseness when safety inspected, the way I found it was the dust boot was cracked, so I put WD40 in it and the noise would stop for a day or two. You might try this method on the part you believe to be bad and see what happens.