clonky clonk clonk w202 front suspension

[rotaxman]

Hi All,
I have a clonk from the front drivers side suspension when driving over rough roads,the roll bar bushes look ok to me,I cannot see any broken spring and it has just passed the mot too,also seems to have a slight clonk when rocking the steering wheel with engine turned off,this seems to be coming from the steering idler (i think thats what its called)
I cannot see the drop links so i dont think the w202 has them,also the car dont handle as well as it used to,it seems to roll a lot more than when I 1st got it,w202 c240 sport estate,
any more ideas ?
thanks

 

[anyweb]

could be a loose steering balljoint, jack up each front wheel in turn and push/pull the wheel to feel for play, make sure to use axel stands.

also, how are the shock absorbers ?

 

[rotaxman]

shocks seem ok,no leaks and no bounce,I have bounced the car like a night club bouncer and dont get the clonk

 

[C220GJS]

Your steering idler bush is probably worn , I know from experience that it causes the noise you describe, the repair kit costs about £15 and is relatively easy to fit if you can get at it .
There are no drop links on the front of the W202 but a new set of anti-roll bar bushes may help to tighten things up.

 

[philharve]

Hi All,
I have a clonk from the front drivers side suspension when driving over rough roads,the roll bar bushes look ok to me,I cannot see any broken spring and it has just passed the mot too,also seems to have a slight clonk when rocking the steering wheel with engine turned off,this seems to be coming from the steering idler (i think thats what its called)
I cannot see the drop links so i dont think the w202 has them,also the car dont handle as well as it used to,it seems to roll a lot more than when I 1st got it,w202 c240 sport estate,
any more ideas ?
thanks

Hi rotaxman

My C-class developed an anonymous clonking sound over rough roads which appeared to eminate from the front nearside wheel area. The clonking sound would come an go which made locating the cause more difficult. I even began to think I was hearing things. During the last B service the cause was found, a worn wishbone bush. It looked OK, but wasn't. All 4 bushes were replaced and the clocking sound has gone. Better still, the handling is much improved and the car goes around corners more confidently.

Rubber bushes may look OK but they do perish or break up. A visual inspection is not always a reliable diagnostic procedure.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[xvvvz]

Lower control arm bushings would be my guess. Very common with these cars now that they are getting up in years.

 

[WAB]

clonking from front on my W203 c220 CDI 2002

Hi All
this is my first posting on here so I hope I get it right. I have clonking noise from the front of my car. It only happens when I brake. I took it to my local indie and he said it was the lower ball joint. I asked him how much ? He said it would be £151 plus labour!!!! Is this a fair price? He also helped me up off the ground and told me that the ball joint was set into an arm with a rubber bush at the other end and that it was a complete unit from Mercedes.

 

[busby20]

Hi All
this is my first posting on here so I hope I get it right. I have clonking noise from the front of my car. It only happens when I brake. I took it to my local indie and he said it was the lower ball joint. I asked him how much ? He said it would be £151 plus labour!!!! Is this a fair price? He also helped me up off the ground and told me that the ball joint was set into an arm with a rubber bush at the other end and that it was a complete unit from Mercedes.

Hi, this is straight forward job on the 202 and is fairly easy to do, the Lower Ball Joint/s from Eurocarparts are sold separately and cost £11.07, or £14.78 each, depending on which one you buy. Most of the cost in replacing these if you get a garage to do it will be labour, and this will vary from garage to garage. I think £151.99 is a bit of a rip off - try someone else or do it yourself?

 

[busby20]

Hi All
this is my first posting on here so I hope I get it right. I have clonking noise from the front of my car. It only happens when I brake. I took it to my local indie and he said it was the lower ball joint. I asked him how much ? He said it would be £151 plus labour!!!! Is this a fair price? He also helped me up off the ground and told me that the ball joint was set into an arm with a rubber bush at the other end and that it was a complete unit from Mercedes.

Hi WAB, forget my earlier reply to your post, I thought your car was a 202. The lower wishbone for your car is listed as a complete unit on Eurocarparts, and comes in at £145.85. sorry for confusion.

 

[WAB]

Thanks busby20 for your quick reply. I think I'll need to take some beta-blockers if anything else goes wrong!!

 

[guycox@gmail.com]

Hi All

Just reading the ever helpfull posts.

My car has just been in for a squeak in the rns rose joint bush for £180

I was quoted £880 for front wishbone bushes to be replaced, reading these posts I am clearely missing some vital infomation about what else they are going to do to the car. Could someone possibly give me an idea of what else they are going to do to the car.

Many thanks