I recently replaced my worn out center drag link, steering damper, and all tie-rods. Front struts and strut mounts were also replaced in addition to ball joints. However when I accelerate or come to a stop I can hear a slight clank/knock under the front of the car. Its not a continuous noise, it only happens when I accelerate from a stand still or when I come to a stop. It only clanks/knocks once then once I'm driving I won't hear it anymore until I stop.

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1990 190E 3.0L

Sway bar bushing?

What brand did you use for the parts. Be honest. We know you used URO for the flex disk. I just want to make sure we are all on the same page here.

I just replaced my lower control arms in full (bushings + ball joints), tie rods, drag link and strut mounts last month and its been perfect.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

LOL! Yes, the notorious Uro brand flex disc....which still has no cracks or wear after 40k miles and 2 years!

Sachs- struts, and sterring damper
Meyle - strurt mounts
Lemfoerder - drag link, ball joints, control arm bushings
Karlyn - tie rods

I did not do the sway bar or bushings for the sway bar. Is the sway bar bushing difficult to replace? Do I need to compress the springs? Thanks

Side note, other than that noise, the steering and suspension has been superb.

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1990 190E 3.0L

Dont have a w201, but i believe that the suspension is very similar to the w124. the first thing i would inspect would be the lower control arm bushings.

i recently did the sway bar bushings on my w124, it is a pretty easy job, used scott's write-up: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/301192-how-install-front-sway-bar-bushings-w124.html

in my case the sway bar bushings were in horrible condition. they did cause a clunk, however, the clunk only occurred when driving over uneven road surfaces, not when coming to a stop, or when taking off from a full stop.

according to the fsm, pre 89 w124's were plagued by faulty sway bar brackets/holders(hold the inner swaybar bushings). i believe that the faulty swaybar brackets/holders on pre 89 vehicles were known to snap. i guess its possible that a broken holder could be causing your clunking noise. take a look


good luck

No mention of a repair/replacement of the idler arm bushings, if the sound seems to eminate from the passenger side I'd start looking and prying there.

no snapped or broken sway bar bracket, idler arm bushing is in good shape. the noise seems to come from both sides. As I looked at the sway bar, I did notice that there is a gap between the bushings and bar, i.e., it is not a snug fit. I ordered new URO BRAND bushings last night :-) just kidding, Meyle brand.

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1990 190E 3.0L

If there is any gap between the sway bar and the outer bushings, then replacing the bushings is probably a good idea. I picked up all 4 bushings from the dealer for about 35 bucks.

After doing the job, there is no longer any gap between the sway bar and the outer bushings, whereas there is still a slight gap between the bar and the inner bushings. I inspected the old bushings and noticed that one of the outer bushings was torn and was basically allowing the sway bar to bang against the lower control arm, causing the clunking noise.

below are outer bushing pics, before/after:



Ps. For some reason I get the feeling that you actually did order the URO bushings, and are claiming that you ordered Meyle just to appease your fellow forum members. no need to lie man


good luck

Attached Thumbnails

   

Did you remove the brakes?

Just replaced the sway bar bushings with Meyle brand. Car suspension is great......it was good before I did the bushings, but now it feels a bit tighter. I still hear the slight clank noise though. I lifted up the hood and pressed up and down on the fender and every so often I could hear it. Sounds like something on the frame. Could it be the motor mounts? The engine doesn't really shake though while idling. I pretty much have all new front suspension/steering components. I also realized that the sound is not dependent on take off or stopping (new sway bar bushings probably reduced that), but I can hear it randomly, though not as much. Suggestions?

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1990 190E 3.0L