S320 cdi Knocking ?

[Griffster59]

Hope somebody can help. Recently when driving over uneven road surfaces, I get a Knocking sound coming from the front drivers side.
At first thought it could be a problem with airmatic, however suspension all seems to go up and down as it should (and stay up). I jacked the car up and there seems to be movement,and knocking, when i grab the wheel and try wobbling in/out, up/down.
Bearing ? Ball joint ? Any ideas ?

 

[V12]

Sorry, with all due respect, a forum won't help you with this problem.

The W220 has so many joints that can cause knocking and it's such a heavy car that it does kill ball joints.

Get a long screwdriver and use it a stethoscope while a friend is wobbling the wheel for you.

If there is play up and down then it could be that you wheel bearing needs adjusting, but this wouldn't normally cause a knocking sound.

 

[Griffster59]

Since posting original message I purchased some new lower ball joints.
While replacing the drivers side one, when undoing the upper ball joint(top wishbone) the ball joint shaft sheared off ! I decided to purchase new wishbones (with ball joints) for both sides.
With liberal use of WD40 and a long extension on my socket I managed to undo the track rod ends, stabiliser bar and ball joint and remove hub assembly.
I managed to press out the old ball joint/ press in the new one with a tool purchased from E-bay without to much hassel and then re-assemble it all.
It was a job that certainly needed doing, both ball joints were shot.