I have a clunk going over even small bumps. The boot on the grill side bushing is cracked. Couple questions 1) Could this be the cuase of the noise 2) What are the chances of this exploding and leaving me stranded?

I'm out of town the next two weekends and won't be able to fix it.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Get a friend to turn the steering one way. Then look for any unusual movement or noise when steering is started the other way. If you have a tie rod end that bad you will see it as the tires on the ground provide a load.
Or just jack up one side at a time and pry with moving the wheel on that side with a helper looking for wear movement in the joints. I suspect if it is a joint that a balljoint is probably going to be more audable. Remember the old test of bouncing on a fender to try to localise where the noise is coming from. Works sometimes as well. Check your top suspension items too. Upper ball joints and rubber sway bar mounts etc.

I would check to see the upper control arm bushing to the body. If rotted, they will make a clunking noise.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I wouldnt be so worried about exploding more than falling off and throwing you into a ditch..

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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

The upper control arm bushing looks fine. I don' think I noticed this before I put the new calipers on. I'm giong to jack up the thing tonight and see if the passenger side one is loose. The noise is coming from that side over bumps, but not when I brake, but we'll see.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Mine made noise that was most noticeable when driving across a parking lot of large pieces of gravel which pushed the wheel from side to side. I could see the movement in the tie rod when I jacked it up and grabbed the rod.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Caliper is on tight, and I yanked on the tie rod with no movement. I think I know what side I'll start my rebuild. I thought it would be fairly obvious considering the small bumps it takes to make the noise. Maybe I left a wrench in the wheel well...

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

You think this could be a wheel bearing? When I push on the bumper, I can't get it to make the clunk. I read in the 'Could it be a wheel bearing' a guy who had a bad rear bearing (and thought it was coming frmo the front) and had a howling noise when turning to the right. I noticed that howling noise today coming back from work.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.

Man all this reading about wheel barings is freaking me out... I have to pick up a friend in Milwaukee (180 round trip) this weekend. It just started making noise this week... I sure don't want this thing to seize up on me.

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1981 300D 205,000 mi.