Clunking noises on C270 CDI Estate

[lance@lanceuk.com]

Hi I am a new member to the club and also quite a new Mercedes owner as well.

I bought a C270 recently 74000 mile and 3 years old. When you drive it on uneven road surfaces there is a clunking or rattling type noise from the front of the car. I have taken to my friendly honest garage and they put it on the ramps and found that the track rod ends were new and could not easily see any fault.

I really love the car and it does not make any noise on really bad roads, speed bumps or on the motorway. It is just driving me mad! and I cannot drive around ith the Sterio up loud all the time.

Any suggestions would be welcome. Could it be the Shocks?

Lance

 

[OlafMaxwell]

There are things called drop links at the front. They are not serious and are a known weak point, often go at 25k and unlikely to go mor ethan 50k.

The good news is they are very cheap and easy to replace. Mine are on the way out and will be replaced next month, last time parts were under £20 each and fitting time is relatively short. A specialist [as opposed to Main Dealer] will easily do it.

I did have ball joints replaced last service in February and car felt like new.

 

[lance@lanceuk.com]

Thanks

Thanks I will look into that, I will need to find a good specailist in the Oxford area and not a dealer or I wont be able to afford to run the car.

Lance

 

[Richh]

i have same problem on w203 with 50k on the clock,

changed drops links but clunck still there, also slight play in steering, could this be lower ball joints or worse??

 

[tom7035]

'Clunking and rattling' sounds like worn anti-roll bar bushes. Again, cheap and easy to replace.
Cheers, Tom.

 

[lance@lanceuk.com]

tHE ANTI ROLL BARS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ON MINE SO I DONT THINK IT IS THAT. ANYONE KNOW A GOOD REASONABLE SPECIALIST IN OXFORD AREA?

LANCE :twisted:

 

[Richh]

me too i changed the front anti roll bar late last year for the updated bar with the bushes bonded to the bar

 

[nickh]

alternatively, you could try as i have done, using wd40 on all the bushes mentioned, (drop bar top & bottom & roll bar bushes). This has worked on my w210 a treat..

 

[Richh]

Just been to local garage where they have taken the bottom tray off to expose steering rack there was some play in the bush?!? just before rack, they said it 'probablly' needed a new rack to fix the play in the steering this also could be cause of the knock as well, other than that there was no other play in the suspension.

How much is a new rack to fit (and buy) and could a local garage fit it or would it be better going to a main dealer at extra cost. As the car is 4 years old with 50k on the clock may the dealer/mercedes help with the payment (I doubt it)

Lance do you any play in your steering?

many thanks

 

[lance@lanceuk.com]

There does not seem to be any play in my steering, but I will get the covers off at the garage so that they can have a look.

Lance

 

[Wezzel]

If I remember correctly it is not a good idea to put oil on steering bushes as it rots the rubber. When sliding bushes on I was always told to use either soap or a little bit of brake fluid.

 

[lance@lanceuk.com]

Clunking NO MORE!!

Just an update on the C270 Estate CDI with the clunking noise that was driving me mad. I finally got it lifted with the wheels off the ground at my local garage after some good advice from the Mercedes dealership and found a small movement was possible on one of the rubber bushes clamped onto the bar running across the bottom of the engine. Two of these rubber bushes were ordered at a cost of £4.50 each and then fitted a few days later.

Well, I couldnt believe it my car is now cured and runs very quietly.

Total cost was £38.50 including VAT.

Thank you to all for your suggestions!

Lance :lol:

 

[tom7035]

These were the anti-roll bar bushes. They obviously had not been replaced earlier, as you thought.
Glad all is now OK. Cheers, Tom.

 

[nickh]

yep , i changed my anti roll bar bushes and drop links myself (for £30 al lin) and problem solved, the only bushes were oval in shape and very squashed..