2008 E280 Sport annoying rattle / knock

[Reamer]

Hi all

Firstly thank you to all that have contributed to this forum. It has enabled me to carry out a lot of work myself saving me hundreds of pounds in labour.

The history
I bought the car last February. Full dealer history one owner with 72,000 miles. It had a very lower dull rattle knock, only on uneven road surface which appeared to come from the rear near side. The dealer replaced the two front shocks. Upon getting it home I noticed it again.

I decided to carry out the work myself as I don't trust dealers.

I have since replaced:
Top ball joints
Bottom ball joints
Thrust control arms
Lower control arms
Track rods and rod ends
Rear shocks
Front drop links

The car drives superb and very sure footed. I have removed everything from the car to eliminate loose articles.

I have had it into an independent dealer that specialise in Mercedes. They can find nothing at all. The only thing they did find was a broken rear axle headlamp level sensor arm (Xeon lights) It is plastic and just hanging there (this part has been superseded with a metal version). Also a half shaft oil leak.

The car is booked in for this work to be carried out. Total cost £367.

If this does not cure the problem, I am looking to investigate the rear subframe bushes. They appear to be fine from underneath but I am aware looks can be deceiving.

Anti roll bar bushes look fine.

Any other ideas please?

 

[Reamer]

Problem solved

Hi all

Just a quick update.

After replacing nearly all my front end suspension (which was worn anyway) plus the rear shocks, I have solved my issue with my rattle/flutter.

I disconnected my sway bar to eliminate sway bar bushes - No change! I ruled this out. I did the same for the rear - No change!

I went out on a limb and changed the strut mounts. There you go problem solved. I can report that whilst I thought it handled and drove superb, it now drives like new. Very tight and very quiet.

The old mounts visually appeared to be fine but after eight years and 100,000 miles were shot.

My next task is the serpentine poly belt and engine mounts. During my search for the suspension issue I noticed a weep from the drivers side front mount. No issues but I will change it before it develops.

 

[Reamer]

Engine mounts replaced. I used lemforder mounts from ECP. They are marked up BOGE, so were the originals! £122.

Not too difficult but access was limited. Inspection of the old mounts revealed they were 2cm shorter than the replacements. This was due to age and being worn out.

The offside mount was leaking hydraulic oil, so glad I caught it.

The car drives like a dream now. The only downside is I noticed my nearside inner tyre edge has worn to the canvas despite there being 3mm of tread remaining. They are continental contact sport 3 all round and have covered just over 30,000 miles so not bad.

I have ordered a full set of Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 2. I will have the alignment checked as well even though this was done after all my front end work.

If anyone needs info on anything I have covered just ask.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk