Over the past week or so, I've noticed the suspension has a very distinct "clunk" when going through the range on the steering wheel. In other words, backing out of a parking spot, or pulling out of one.. basically any situation that requires a sharp turn at speeds less than 10mph. It will make two or three very distinct clunks during one rotation of the steering wheel. Once the car is rolling, and after I've been driving a bit, the problem won't repeat itself. It ONLY occurs after the car has been sitting for several hours. It sounds like something is binding, but it seems to reason that a binding suspension component would bind at all temperatures, not simply when the car is ice cold or has been resting for a while.

Thoughts?

 

Have you looked to see if the tire is hitting the liner at any point mine will rub a little when i make a sharp turn pulling out Just a thought...

 

tie rods or steering damper? how does the steering feel? tight while turning or do you feel play? check the wheel bearings for play.
if you want hollar at me this weekend we can put itin the garage and fire the heater , jack it up and see whats up

 

I have the same kinda clunk or pop going on. It started a few weeks after I lowered. If you figure out whats going on I'd really appreciate it if you post it up. It definitely doesn't sound too healthy.
Brandon

 

its a bit of a drive but hey the more the merrier!! bring it to the house!

 

After a bit of reading, I'm almost approximately 99% positive it's the steering damper.... I'll order one online and replace it when it gets here. Can't hurt to troubleshoot for $30, I've paid more for a bad meal.

 

John,
Let us know if that helps. I've noticed, only recently, the same symptoms.

Car is going up on the rack in a week or two for servicing and oil change. Be a good time to get at it.


franc

 

like i said john if you need a warm place to wrench bring it to the house. ill drink a beer and you lay on the ground and get dirty!

 

Steve, you da man! If the temps ever get above 18, you'll have to let me hear the 32 since you've done the cat delete...

 

haha 32KRAZY! thanks for the invite. Maybe if I ever move to Tennessee I'll take you up on that offer but yea its definitly a little bit of a trip from NJ. Unfortunately seems like all the hospitable forum members are always thousands of miles away from me. And JHM2K if that does help I'd love to hear about it. Hopefully thats all it is.
Brandon

 

no sweat john. got heat in the gagrage and no way im gettin any traction in this weather!! cant even get my temps above 60!
seriuos if you need to wrench this weekend im trashin around the house. just call

off topic john see if these tweak your buttons!!
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/sale...-19x9-5-a.html

 

I have had this clunk for a long time - it started at 15,000 miles about two years ago and I can assure you it is none of the reasons mentioned and its still doining it. Mine tends to be on the drivers side of the car and I have felt it through the streering wheel while reversing off the driveway. The car has been checked by the dealer twice and they cant find it. I have had the car in pieces trying to find out what this is, including;

Adjusting wheel bearings.
Changing streering damper
Checking steering box and linkages
Checking front damper and springs
Checking top and bottom swivel joints
Checking track rod ends
Checking for brake pad movement in caliper
Checking for loose rotors or calipers

I am left with 3 more posibilities;
The streering colum may be loose.
There is a joint in the steering colum which has a collar to tighten it - it this loose? its very difficult to get at.
Is the front suspenion leg creaking in its cup at the top and needs some grease in there?

When I get time Ill carry on looking!!

 

Mine did that before lowering but once I did lower it the sound was louder. I changed out the damper and it helped for a bit but never fully fixed it.

I just so happen to be driving my Dad's car since my wife's is in his shop and noticed that his does this as well. Strange thing about it? His car is a W202 C-class. He seems to think its the brake pads moving around in the calipers because the sound generally only occurs when the brakes are applied.

 

Interesting info guys, keep it coming.

Mine doesn't have anything to do with brakes. It's specifically felt in the steering column, during these situations:

• Backing out of a parking spot, during the first few turns of the steering wheel
• Once the car is backed out of the spot, and I turn to the other direction to head down the road/parking lanes, it will do it at least three or four times
• Pulling out of a parking spot that I had previously backed into; the initial crank/ correction of the steering wheel.

Again, once the car has been rolling for a bit, I can park it, reverse out of the spot, drive away and never feel a thump. I could compete in a cone circuit and turn the wheel lock-to-lock several times under low speed, and never feel another clunk. I can replicate the problem only when the car has been sitting for at least three hours.

But on those times it does sound off, it sounds horrible. Even if it is only "once per drive"