Rattle when warmed up?

[horatio]

My W211 has developed a rattle from the front right suspension which only happens when the car is warmed up - after an hour or so or several shorter drives. It will then creak slightly when you push the corner down. It gets quite loud.

I took it to a local specialist who charged me hundreds for changing the lower balljoint and thrust arm. Still does it. Depressing

Shocks were replaced last year.

I'm going to attack this myself - any thoughts what the likely suspects could be?

 

[grober]

Could be many things--- one possibility is one of the drop links for the anti roll bar. One common error when replacing these in common with many suspension components is to torque up any bolts before the car's weight is resting on its suspension. This has the effect of "preloading" any bushes leading premature wear or noise.

 

[martyz]

Strut top mount rubber,or perhaps the spring perch is about to let go...

 

[horatio]

Cheers

Top mounts were replaced with the shocks so doubt it's those.

It looks like there is a separate ball joint at the bottom of the drop link - should these just be changed or the whole link?

Nothing seems loose when prodded with a crow bar

It occasionally clonks at low speed.

The large bushes on the inside of the LCA were changed last year too!

 

[horatio]

Changed the tie rod end and upper balljoint. Still does it.

God I hate this car so ****ing much agggghhhrrrrrrrr

I don't think this model can cope with the state of the roads and number of speed bumps in my area. It's too fragile. Going to shop for a Subaru Forester or something.

 

[rifiki]

Had front suspension rattle on my CLK, turned out to be a loose break caliper.