I've been hearing a clunk, clunk, clunk coming from the right rear side of my 380sl with over 200k miles on it periodically after decelerating and coasting at low speed, but not on turns, and a single clunk occasionally when shifting into reverse. So, I jacked the wheel up, and shook it with my hands above and below it to see if it had any play in the bearings, which it didn't.

OTOH, when I tried to move the homokinetic's axle shaft medially and laterally, I had to use two hands and a lot of force, which produced a clunk that seemed to be similar to those I've been hearing. However, the boots are intact, and I couldn't rotate the shaft at all.

The torsion bar, connecting links, control arm bushings, flex disk, and other possible sources are all good. So, I'm wondering whether to go ahead and replace the axle or not.

Before I do, however, I was wondering how much force it should take to move the shaft medially and laterally when the wheel is up or on the ground , and whether moving it from one position to another should produce a loud clunk or not.

Thanks very much in advance for any info on this or other ways to confirm my diagnosis.

Steve