Knocks from front suspension CLS C219

[lopez]

Hi all,
Just bought my dream CLS 57 reg few months ago and discovered little knocks from front suspension. Wanted to do it right so went to merc specialists(Mercare Plymouth). Spent 550 on rear arms, bushes and ball joints and its still there. They've said everything look ok(mostly changed from new) etc.
The only 2 things left: shocks or steering racks?
Knocks sounds like typical ball jonits so dont know about shocks.

Please help.

regards
Mike

 

[simon1966]

Check your anti-roll bar bushes. My E55 had a knock / creak for about 4 years and MB Guildford replaced lots of parts without solving it including both front airmatic struts!! Andy and Eurocharged checked it out and diagnosed worn bushes which on my car are bonded to the anti-roll bar so not replaceable. New bar fitted and all sorted. Not sure if it will be similar on your CLS, but definitely worth a check.

One easy thing you could try first to help you diagnose it, would be to totally cover the bushes in a fine grease spray. I did that and it took about 75% of the noise away confirming it was the bushes that were shot.

 

[lopez]

thanks will try that next week, when off for few days

 

[Marku]

Yes sounds like anti-roll bar bushes. Had it with two vehicles even driven over rough ground and they could not diagnose where it was from. Gave up on the first one but when it started on the second the MB dealer who was servicing it just suggested that it could be the anti-roll bar bushes without even looking. Work done no more problem.

 

[mike-cls55]

yep anti roll bar bushes, im having same problems and that's whats needed when I get round to booking it in.

 

[t-dawg1]

I had knock on my W211 which turned out to be UPPER BALL JOINTS. Did you get those done?

 

[Paddcomp]

I've had the upper and lower ball joints, suspension arms replaced. The ball joints were definitely shot, the suspension arms were an attempt to fix the knocking.

What do you need for the anti roll bars, is it a bush replacement or the full bar, can't find them on ECP? Should you do drop links at the same time?

Thanks

 

[camerafodder]

You should also consider the anti-roll bar drop links. These can produce an annoying knock when worn and are difficult to diagnose but don't cost much so worth doing.

 

[lopez]

Thanks all for response.
Upper ball joints, rear arm been done. Just had a chat with my mechanic and we gonna try with those drop links. Fingers crossed

 

[stevehg]

If you can afford it and plan to keep the car for a long period, while there change all bushes and joints out. Just look on it as an investment and you won't need to touch front suspension again for 7+ years

I don't know how confident you are at doing the mechanics yourself, but it pays dividends if you are, as you can do jobs like this, oil & filter changes, brake pads etc. yourself. You save some money, have a well maintained car to drive around in and then you have funds to leave anything serious to your local independent.

cheers, Steve

 

[lopez]

Drop links replaced. Something still knocking
Mechanic said everything been replaced, so just shocks left. Is it possible shock absorbers can sounds like that(metalic, ball joint, bushing-ish sound)?
Like I said before got that issue for few months now and its getting worse so will probably try those shocks absorbers now. Another few hundred pounds

 

[BlackC55]

Yep. Common too and easy to diagnose. Bounce on the suspension and use a stethoscope or long screwdriver on the shock top.

 

[lopez]

Shocks changed. All finally sorted!
Thanks all