SL 500 (1994) knocking noise

[bruiserdennison]

I have recently purchased a 1994 SL 500 and it has developed a knocking noise from what sounds like the steering or suspension. On a flat, smooth even surface, there is no noise but when you go over bumps or cobbles there is an intermittent knocking/scraping that sounds quite bad. Could it be worn bushes or a snapped spring perhaps - any ideas would be much appreciated. The car is still under a dealer's warranty but i am keen to understand the likely problem.

Bruiser.

 

[Flying Scot]

I have recently purchased a 1994 SL 500 and it has developed a knocking noise from what sounds like the steering or suspension. On a flat, smooth even surface, there is no noise but when you go over bumps or cobbles there is an intermittent knocking/scraping that sounds quite bad. Could it be worn bushes or a snapped spring perhaps - any ideas would be much appreciated. The car is still under a dealer's warranty but i am keen to understand the likely problem.

Bruiser.

Well like someone suggested can you take your phone out in the car and record the noise and post the recording here. Then we can maybe have a better guess. Simplistically it could be anything from an anti roll bar bush to a totally knackered shocker with a thousand things in between. But why worry or bother take the dealer out for a drive demonstrate the noise to him and then get underneath the car with him on the ramp while he looks for the problem.

 

[type49]

Anti roll bar brackets used to snap on 129s. That made a horrible noise.

 

[matsmith]

powerful and heavy engines put massive forcews through the front suspension and brake components on these cars. I imagine it will be something relatively straight forward but easy to get a specialist to assess as opposed to guess work.

 

[GEORGEROV]

Hi Bruiser, How about one of the bottom ball joints. Difficult to diagnose sometimes with the weight on or off them. Merc use a special tool to measure wear on them.