My 1963 220SEb cabriolet has recently developed a "clunk" sound in the right wheel area everytime I go over a small bump. There is no clunk sound as my right rear wheel or left wheels pass over bumps. I have checked for loose accessories to no avail. Anyone with a model 111 chassis had that experience ? Would a frame submount or engine mount make that sound over small bumps?

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Kingpin or front subframe mount. You can check the kingpin by jacking the car to get the front wheel off the ground. Pry up on the bottom of the tire -- if there is more than 1/16" play, kingpin is shot. Also, check the trunions at the control arms -- the bushings can wear, in which case the wheel will move in and out and you can see the pin working in the bushings.

A bad front wheel bearing can do this too -- pull wheel straight out on the spindle. If it moves, the bearing is loose. Grinding or hissing (not brakes!) also indicates a bad bearing, but if it is make a thump, it will have excess play.

Front subframe is a possibility too -- especially if the steering feels vague and you get a thump once in a while when changing from reverse to drive or vice versa. I think they are very similar to the W108 bushings, so you can check height from the top -- oval hole with four bolts around it, one bolt in the center. Cover under the center bolt should be about an inch or more down inside the hole -- any higher, and the mount has come apart. Makes the front sit lower than the rear, too.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

The 111 mounts are the same as the 108 mounts I believe. Easy to check the submounts by jacking the wheel off the ground by the frame (not the control arm) and looking in at the mount. If bad you'll see the gap in the torn rubber. My clunk was being produced from the through bolts hitting on the chassis. replacing the submounts took care of that. I have a picture of the worn bolts in the DIY article on submount replacement.

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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.