Shuddering in reverse...

Just wanted to know what is causing this. My car (when put in reverse) shudders loudly when I brake to a stop. (sounds like coming from the front tires/brakes area) I've just recently changed the front rotors/pads, the front shocks, and will be changing the rear rotors/pads and shocks shortly. Just hoping that this is my problem and I'm not spending money to fix one problem that maybe could wait a while instead of a bigger one ?

My transmission oil is at a proper level, and there is no discoloration, my brake fluid is fine. I do have a creaking sound made when going over bumps, but it comes from both the front and back and didn't go away when I changed the front shocks (maybe unrelated or a seperate problem)

Any ideas ?

Thanks in advance,

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115

[cth350]

The clunking is ONLY in reverse? My first guess would be the suspension components, possibly related to the noise on bumps.

Do you have the benz service manual handy? Start with the front and rear stabilizers and then look at the front subframe mounting bushings. lastly, check various rubber bits that keep the back wheels attached to the cars.

When stopping in forward most of the force is handled by the front brakes and most of the components of the suspension are designed to deal with that force. Stopping in reverse literally changes everything. The air suspension cars have some pretty interesting hardware to control the torque on the rear suspension when stopping in reverse.

-CTH