Front End Clunk 96 C280
 

Thanks up front for any help I can get with this. The front end makes a sharp clunk when the brakes are quickly applied while backing up in a straight line. No clunk if the wheels are turned left or right. No issues at all while going forward. Couldn't find any help in the old threads. Thanks again, Dan '96 C280

Sounds kinda like lower front ball joints. My car would make a clunk noise when dropping off the curb while backing out of the drive. Common ailment on W202 suspensions.

I've done this job 4 times in the last 5 weeks on the same year and model you mentioned for the same poblem you described.check for wear on the lower control arm bushings.
Paul

Paul, how much do you charge for this kind of job? Just want to get an idea before I go to the shop. Thanks.

Sounds like the noise my '94 C280 was making as well. And yes, it was the lower ball joints.

Jonathan

Thanks for the replies.

Paul, are the lower control arm bushings the same as the ball joints? Is this a possible DIY repair?

Dan

LCA Bushings
 

Unless you have access to a fully equipped shop, I would say that the lower control arm bushings are not something a DIYer should attempt. I've had those done on my car as well, just about 7 weeks ago, and the dealer had no end of difficulty getting the bushings out of the control arms and ended up having to use an air chisel. You will have to completely disassemble the front end, which means there is a substantial risk of injury from the front coil springs. You must use a spring compressor. And the car will require an alignment when you put it all back together again. Mercedes charged me three hours labour for the LCA bushings, but they ended up spending closer to six hours as the bushing press would not remove the bushings. This time the flat rate system actually worked out to my benefit.

The front end of the car ended up feeling much firmer and more stable after the replacement of the LCA bushings. But they weren't making any noise prior to the replacement.

Jonathan

The lower control arm bushings are not the same as the balljoints and is not a diy job. You may not know they are bad or feel them until you brake abruptly in reverse. A couple hours a side would be reasonable.
paul