W210 Rear Suspension ... again

[gbcambridge]

Being the proud owner of an E430 Estate which goes like the clappers... I am keen to keep it in top condition... and I have, apart from the thump which comes from the rear suspension over potholes and/or speed bumps... and then only at low speed!
The suspension, although firm, seems to operate properly. The self-levelling operates and at speed the suspension is very quiet. The noise itself sounds rather like the parcel lid in the boot is loose and comes down with a thump... it is not metallic. It is of course not the lid.
Colleagues have endured uncomfortable travel in the boot to locate the noise.. it appears to be on the passenger side at the rear and I pretty sure that the noise is triggered not on hitting the bump but after passing over the bump, as the suspension recovers.
Ball joints have been replaced and tie rod ends. My local indie seems to think that it is all too complicated to warrant spending more money on the fixes.
From reading the many reports in theses forums, I am coming down to the idea that it is probably the rear sub-frame and probably the front supports.. so before I spend the next tranche of money... I would really welcome any advice or suggestions that would help me keep this excellent car in use.. it is only at 129,000 miles.. just a Spring Chicken really.

 

[bembo449]

got to be sub or arm bushes , jack it up and take a pry bar to them all , anything soft needs renewing

 

[om613]

Try another Indie if they can't spot worn bushes (sub frame front, ram top and bottom ball joint)...would be my tack.

 

[nyx]

ihad this problem in my 210 saloon. it turned out to be the emergency triangle in the boot lid, some potholes would make it rattle or clunk

 

[gbcambridge]

Probably Not

ihad this problem in my 210 saloon. it turned out to be the emergency triangle in the boot lid, some potholes would make it rattle or clunk

Hi, I doubt this is my problem .... but it is a pretty accurate description of the sort of noise that is made. I did put a sound recorder in the boot to record the nice so that I could post a wav file here, but all I got was a noise like popcorn.. which I never heard anyway!

Any more votes on subframe... which is my gut feel right now? If it is the subframe what other symptoms would there be? I need to be well-armed if I am going to pressure my indie to fix this.

BTW... still a great car, and overall, and even allowing for rust repairs of around £2000 over the last 5 years, still the cheapest car that I have run. Current minor failures include brake pedal contacts and the SatNav thinks I am just off Orkney :-(

 

[Naraic]

It is very very easy to see if it's the front sub frame bushes.

Take the wheels off and have a look, then use a bar to move it.

The centre is usually not attached to the outer. Though if it was the bushes the handling would be a little off too. When it was mine I could change lane merely by accelerating hard.

 

[gbcambridge]

It is very very easy to see if it's the front sub frame bushes.

Take the wheels off and have a look, then use a bar to move it.

The centre is usually not attached to the outer. Though if it was the bushes the handling would be a little off too. When it was mine I could change lane merely by accelerating hard.

Certainly no effects on steering or stability under acceleration or braking. Will do another test drive over the weekend to see if I can detect anything. Thanks for the advice

 

[television]

As Naraic says,,, with hands of the steering wheel and about 50 MPH take foot off throttle and then kick down and the car should stay in line, if it power steers and changes coarse, the more that likely front sub frame bushes easily checked with an iron bar.

 

[gbcambridge]

I must say that the contributions here about the sub-frame are compelling. I need to find a way of testing them before replacing ... any ideas anyone?


BTW, I inserted exactly the same message with which I started this thread into theUS Mercedes site at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/2561513-e430-estate-rear-suspension-again.html
Over there they seem to think the likely cause is the air cell units. And they say were have a shared culture!

 

[Frontstep]

I think the "air cell units" are in their heads

Get it on a ramp and a nice big pry bar to give those mounts and joints a test.

 

[gbcambridge]

I'm getting ready to take all this to my local Indie. I have been unable to find anyone around the Cambridge area who classes as a "suspension specialist". One group of so-called experts just come round in a van!
It would be just great to talk to someone who is familiar with this stuff.

 

[V6Matty]

When I bought my 211 I got it from C&V Cars over in Swavesey, they seemed to know what they were doing with mercs so may be worth a call to them?

 

[gbcambridge]

Thanks ... I shall give them a try

 

[toby1]

There's a Merc specialist in Milton. My brother takes my 210 there

 

[gbcambridge]

There's a Merc specialist in Milton. My brother takes my 210 there

Must be Swift Vehicle Solutions ... I shall look in to see if they have some idea.. not too far away either. Thanks

George

 

[gbcambridge]

A solution?

Some progress ... I found a really old (i.e experienced) mechanic who got the car up on a lift and examined the front bushes on the rear subframe.
He noticed marks on the chassis where it had been hit just above, so it looks like the bushes diagnosis is confirmed. Sadly he cannot do the work as it seems it needs a special Mercedes tool to disassemble various parts, but now getting estimates for the work.
If it works it will be drinks all round for my friendly contributors

George

 

[om613]

Undoubtedly a special tool makes it easier but many manage to DIY them without.

If the rear mounts are loosened off as well, the subframe drops enough to give clerance for bashing and pressing.
I need to do mine as well.

 

[Naraic]

As above...no special tools required...I did mine on the driveway.

 

[tjamesbo]

just about to do my rear bushes in the hope my rear end clunking stops
its still in the queue to be done when I researched it the culprits seemed to be either the subframe bushes ( Front ) or the ram attachements ie the two bolts at the bottom keep us posted on the outcome
That 430 engines lovely isnt it, its Jekyll or Hide, depending on where your foot is on the pedal smooth and refined or angrily throbbing as the horizon reels in :grin:

 

[gbcambridge]

just about to do my rear bushes in the hope my rear end clunking stops
its still in the queue to be done when I researched it the culprits seemed to be either the subframe bushes ( Front ) or the ram attachements ie the two bolts at the bottom keep us posted on the outcome
That 430 engines lovely isnt it, its Jekyll or Hide, depending on where your foot is on the pedal smooth and refined or angrily throbbing as the horizon reels in :grin:

Absolutely... the snarl is really nice.... when appropriate... and it often is