Hey folks,

Normally I'd do my best to sift through everything you've kindly contributed here, but I'm caught between a rock and a hard place and need to jump on this problem quick. I'm hoping that I can provide enough info to diagnose this: Money is beyond tight and I'm hoping to hit the nail on the head.

The car in question is a 1982 300SD. After taking the car to a local friend he pronounced one tie rod as bad, but the rest of the front end as being tight and in great shape. I replaced both tie rods, and took the car for a drive...

And the rattle is still present. By rattle I mean:

Go over a bump and you hear a rattle. If I hadn't replaced the tie rod, I would have thought that it was worn. Further symptoms include:

Bumps=rattle. Cruise at any speed over 50, and randomly the front end starts rattling, making me think of a busted shopping cart wheel. It doesn't rattle all the time on the highway, but intermittently.

Here's the weird part, and I'm hoping this helps pinpoint the issue: step on the brake and the rattle stops. It goes away entirely. Take your foot off the brake, and poof, rattle comes back. It's focused on the left side only.

I know that trying to diagnose suspension issues through text is akin to using a Ouija board - I only have enough money to spend on one parts purchase this week, and I'm hoping to hit the target the first time. I don't want to hurt the car by driving it in this condition.

With many thanks,

-James F. Smith