W124 Suspension Rattle

[300E]

I've got a light metallic rattle from the passenger side front suspension on my 1990 300E. The recent MOT found nothing (the tester was looking for the problem), nor did the mechanic who I asked to look at it prior to the test.

I've had a look too and to my eyes the anti roll bar rubbers look a little worn but they weren't even mentioned at the MOT.

It only seems to start after a few miles from cold, makes me wonder if it could be a fault with the damper, perhaps getting noisy as it warms up?

Any ideas? The noise is quite noticeable, I'd have thought it would have been quite obvious if a component were worn?

 

[bolide]

ARB bushes don't rattle, they thunk through dips. Just replace them. Broken front ARB mounts make an odd rattle. MOT testers won't look particularly hard at ARB Bushes but should spot a broken mount

I'd look for broken springs (unlikely if the car has just been MOTd), shot steering damper or top mounts which are breaking up

If the front balljoints have not been replaced they are likely to be worn. MOT testers don't usually pick these up - they have to be tested in a particular way

Nick Froome

 

[300E]

Thanks, a few things to go on there!

 

[WDB124066]

And now for something completely out of left field, if it is a rattle are you sure it's not coming from the exhaust, heat shields etc etc........??

 

[300E]

Good point, I'll take a look at those too!!

 

[legrandfromage]

I had a really annoying clacky kind of rattle coming from the front of my 1990 300td. In the end it was ill-fitting brake pads. I bought some "premium" brake pads from GSF, which have some shims at the edge of the pads and fir a lot better. The noise has gone!

 

[300E]

Hmm, I have wondered about it being the brake pads, had that problem on a Mazda few years ago! I need to get my trolley jack and axle stands back from my mate and take a proper look.

 

[300E]

It's the brake pads, the outer pad is a poor fit in the caliper. I love these simple problems!