Possible shock or track rod end arm broken

[RachCole]

MB SLK AMG 350 2005 - I suddenly upon starting car this morning then slowly reversing and turning wheel ( anti clockwise ) and heard and felt a sudden clunk, as if a metal rod being twanged -Like something snapped and then vibrating upon snapping.
Drove fine ( very cautiously 2 miles to work) again when turning right is so much worse than left.
Had shock done on front left side after hitting big concealed pot hole and the right shock was checked along with the left and was told it was fine with no fractures. Other thing I need help please is this. Would it be cheaper for me to source the parts rather than the local garage? They tell me they have to get Mercedes parts from Germany... I'm tried searching for same but no luck other than stumbling across this site. Any advice / support gratefully received. Rachael

 

[colinallcars]

MB SLK AMG 350 2005 - I suddenly upon starting car this morning then slowly reversing and turning wheel ( anti clockwise ) and heard and felt a sudden clunk, as if a metal rod being twanged -Like something snapped and then vibrating upon snapping.
Drove fine ( very cautiously 2 miles to work) again when turning right is so much worse than left.
Had shock done on front left side after hitting big concealed pot hole and the right shock was checked along with the left and was told it was fine with no fractures. Other thing I need help please is this. Would it be cheaper for me to source the parts rather than the local garage? They tell me they have to get Mercedes parts from Germany... I'm tried searching for same but no luck other than stumbling across this site. Any advice / support gratefully received. Rachael

If a track rod had broken you wouldn’t have driven two miles, more likely a spring has snapped. Lots of aftermarket parts available. If you’re very unlucky the rear subframe may have snapped. Whatever it is you need a proper diagnosis.

 

[W1ghty]

MB SLK AMG 350 2005 - I suddenly upon starting car this morning then slowly reversing and turning wheel ( anti clockwise ) and heard and felt a sudden clunk, as if a metal rod being twanged -Like something snapped and then vibrating upon snapping.
Drove fine ( very cautiously 2 miles to work) again when turning right is so much worse than left.
Had shock done on front left side after hitting big concealed pot hole and the right shock was checked along with the left and was told it was fine with no fractures. Other thing I need help please is this. Would it be cheaper for me to source the parts rather than the local garage? They tell me they have to get Mercedes parts from Germany... I'm tried searching for same but no luck other than stumbling across this site. Any advice / support gratefully received. Rachael

As to garage parts prices , try looking at Autodoc , they take 8 days to arrive but can be substantially cheaper than some other places . It obviously depends on what make part you choose , but when you have found out what the fault is someone will be able to advise you …..as will your garage .
The failure sounds like it will be obvious for a garage to spot it . Depending on what it is they may not let you drive it away .

 

[DSM10000]

Find an independent MB specialist and let them check it over.

Ordering parts yourself can be a problem. Mercedes like other manufacturers change parts during the life of a model.

A specialist will have access to the key electronic parts catalogue.

It is particularly important with suspension parts. Springs for example have different ratings depending on the original equipment fitted.

 

[grober]

BROKEN SPRING MOST LIKELY CANDIDATE- REPLACE THEM IN PAIRS EVEN IF THE OTHER SIDE IS OK
IF YOU ARE LUCKY THERE MIGHT STILL BE THE COLOUR CODING STRIPES ON THE SPRINGS TO AID EXACT REPLACEMENT