Knocking noises!

[MattDuke]

Hi all. I have a 2005 e270 estate and there are a few knocking noises coming from the suspension, probably. So far the garage has replaced the track rod ends, adjusted the wheel bearings ( front ) and also the front lower arms.
I’m still getting a knocking noise from the front / possibly drivers side! Any thoughts?

There also a more metallic sound coming from what I think is the rear and it only happens when going over larger bumps. Could this be rear suspension or the exhaust?

I’ve just literally returned back from the garage after spending £400 on the bearing adjustment & track rod ends!

It is a great car but I don’t really want to keep throwing money at it.

Thanks Matt.

 

[LostKiwi]

Upper strut mount or anti roll bar links possibly.

Impossible to diagnose remotely.

 

[mioba]

I’ve just literally returned back from the garage after spending £400 on the bearing adjustment & track rod ends!

It is a great car but I don’t really want to keep throwing money at my mechanic

Corrected that for you.

I would be having a polite yet stern word with the mechanic. You just shelled out 400 notes and he didn't fix anything?

 

[brandwooddixon]

I can't say that track rod ends and wheel bearing would have been my first port of call for a knocking noise, not to say that they didn't need replacement, but still.
As above anti-roll bar drop links, possibly lower suspension ball joint (under load so need to compress the suspension to see any movement). If knocking occurs when braking then possibly caster arm bushes.
Rear metallic sound - check for loose exhaust heat shields fixed to the floor pan and exhaust movement due to rusted hangers first as they're a very cheap fix.

 

[A.J.]

Why wasn’t the garage able to advise you on where the knocking was coming from, it’s there job isn’t it ?

 

[V6Matty]

I had the same on my E270, ended up being a failing shock absorber, as a test we transferred from one side to the other (after we had renewed most of the other stuff too) and the noise followed, new pair of struts and all good after that

 

[M80]

A good MOT tester might find that on his rattle ramp.

 

[00slk]

Hi all. I have a 2005 e270 estate and.....................................................................................It is a great car but I don’t really want to keep throwing money at it.

Thanks Matt.

I have a 2005 EClass too Matt, throwing money at it is a way of life Maybe your car and mine were on the same apprentice's assembly line
Anyway the above info sounds pretty good to me. Another option is to take it for an MoT inspection just to see if those guys can see where the knocks are coming from, they do have the testing equipment needed to over check

 

[00slk]

A good MOT tester might find that on his rattle ramp.

Lol, great minds M80

 

[M80]

I dropped mine a tenner a while back for a Vito. It saved me crawling around.
Also, they don't mind me going under to see for myself.

Our 211 was MOT'd yesterday.
O/s lower ball joint is showing signs, and the 2 track rod ends.
I'll order those (+ the n/s ball joint) for when things are a bit warmer, along with the tools I don't yet have for the jobs.
Otherwise a good walk around underside helped confirm the mo mo is worth the effort.

 

[LostKiwi]

I dropped mine a tenner a while back for a Vito. It saved me crawling around.
Also, they don't mind me going under to see for myself.

Our 211 was MOT'd yesterday.
O/s lower ball joint is showing signs, and the 2 track rod ends.
I'll order those (+ the n/s ball joint) for when things are a bit warmer, along with the tools I don't yet have for the jobs.
Otherwise a good walk around underside helped confirm the mo mo is worth the effort.

Would that be Bradshaw's?
Always found them very helpful (even after I ripped up their asphalt when he asked me to stop using the parking brake from 20mph....)

 

[MattDuke]

Why wasn’t the garage able to advise you on where the knocking was coming from, it’s there job isn’t it ?

Yep, I get diagnosed the knock as coming from the track rod ends and wheel bearings.

 

[Manc Rick]

As @V6Matty said above, I too have experienced the failed shock absorber issue. My noise was driving me crazy, everything suspension wise looked perfect; it turned out to be defective shock absorbers on both sides at the rear - impossible to diagnose visually.

New rear shocks and it’s been as quiet as a mouse. Apparently it’s a common issue.

I’d be surprised if the OP noise is not coming from either top mounts (Struts), defective shocks or anti roll bar bushes (assuming the exhaust has been checked).

 

[Blobcat]

As @V6Matty said above, I too have experienced the failed shock absorber issue. My noise was driving me crazy, everything suspension wise looked perfect; it turned out to be defective shock absorbers on both sides at the rear - impossible to diagnose visually.

New rear shocks and it’s been as quiet as a mouse. Apparently it’s a common issue.

I’d be surprised if the OP noise is not coming from either top mounts (Struts), defective shocks or anti roll bar bushes (assuming the exhaust has been checked).

It could be diagnosed visually…

Get someone to drive your car and you follow in another car.

The number of cars I see with wheels bouncing up and down because of failed shockers is disturbing. No doubt due to the poorly maintained roads we “enjoy” and huge alloy wheels with almost no tyre sidewall

 

[Snake Charmer]

I have a knock on the rear of my S211 over bumps, all the joints seem tight and I have been checking exhaust, heat shields etc to rule them out before diving in and replacing parts but suspect the dampers. I have a couple of roundabouts on my commute with a really poor surface and pushing it hard the dampers go mad and the rear end feels loose as it skips over the bumps with reduced damping so I'm eyeing up a set of Bilstein dampers all round.

 

[Manc Rick]

It could be diagnosed visually…

Get someone to drive your car and you follow in another car.

The number of cars I see with wheels bouncing up and down because of failed shockers is disturbing. No doubt due to the poorly maintained roads we “enjoy” and huge alloy wheels with almost no tyre sidewall

Most people’s - yes, mine… never

That’s the only thing I didn’t check to be fair. I did climb inside the boot while my son drove down my road and the knocking was amplified x 100 from there. Quite staggering, as from the front seats, you had to listen carefully to hear it. I’m OCD and notice the slightest of changes in sound.

The boot trip showed me that it was quite clearly both sides making equal noise. The ride felt absolutely fine and bounce tests were all normal. Thankfully the Mb tech was able to diagnose purely by ear and replaced both shocks under warranty. He didn’t even look at the outside of the car; he simply sat in the back seat, heard the noise and diagnosed as internal defect to both sides.

I asked was he sure and he said 100% - seen it lots apparently.

 

[M80]

Would that be Bradshaw's?
Always found them very helpful (even after I ripped up their asphalt when he asked me to stop using the parking brake from 20mph....)

Sorry LK I missed that post. I'm busying in Wales and spending less time on the PC.


It was and I did find them helpful.
A longish story but I now take it up Brown Edge Rd.
I didn't object to the tester failing the Viano, although some consideration / flexibility might have been reasonable.
But a week or two later a neighbour asked to identify a knocking under his Jazz. The drop link was floppy as 'eck. Same tester had let that go a few days earlier. I've binned my loyalty card.