W202 Clonking noise - More help please!

[bradspau]

Hi. I still have the clonking noise on my W202 when traversing rough roads. However, as an update, I have noticed that if I have a passenger, the noise is hardly noticable. What could this indicate? - If the fault is the balljoint (which I am getting convinced that it is), would that be affected by additional weight in the car ?

 

[R2D2]

How many miles have you done, 60k ish?

 

[bradspau]

Oh Yes 67,000 Miles.....

I see a 'known; fault coming.....Yes 67,000 miles. Had it in the dealer, obviously didnt make the noise on the road test. They had it on the ramp and said all looks ok, no sign of wear on anything.

 

[R2D2]

Yup it sounds like the ball joint then. To diagnose mine the mechanic had to lie next to wheel while I reversed on and of the small kerb to my drive. First one side went then about 2 weeks later the other side went. Are you in the south east?

 

[Webby]

Agree with R2D2, I had the same problem when I had a 202.Ball joint.

 

[bradspau]

No I am in midlands. How much is replacement ball joint? is it a job for a DIYer, or dealer?

 

[R2D2]

My friendly MB man fitted mine for £40, the part is about £23 I think. Dread to think what a dealer would charge. Do you ever come down to Kent?

 

[Webby]

Any decent garage should be able to do it, I used my local,cost abot £100
if I remember rightly.

 

[R2D2]

BTW if you aredoing one then do both it will save you a bit of time andmoney!

 

[Steve_Perry]

No I am in midlands. How much is replacement ball joint? is it a job for a DIYer, or dealer?

Andy Gayle is based in Birmingham. He has a good reputation as a MB independent specialist mechanic.

S.

 

[mrober]

Hi, has anyone heard of this on a W203 - getting knocking noise from near side front when going over bumpy surfaces, but only done 22k. My good lady did hit a pot hole a few weeks ago and wrote off both near side tyres, so could be something bent/broken on the suspension, though steering seems generally ok.

Come to think of it though I do seem to be understeering quite a bit more than I used to - perhaps something got bent... it's in for a service this week & I've asked them to check it out, will let you know the outcome...

 

[Gepant]

Hi, has anyone heard of this on a W203 - getting knocking noise from near side front when going over bumpy surfaces, but only done 22k. My good lady did hit a pot hole a few weeks ago and wrote off both near side tyres, so could be something bent/broken on the suspension, though steering seems generally ok.

Come to think of it though I do seem to be understeering quite a bit more than I used to - perhaps something got bent... it's in for a service this week & I've asked them to check it out, will let you know the outcome...

Hi, I have the same problem with my w203,c200k,06/2001,65000 miles.
A knocking noise from front suspension,when going over bumpy surfaces.
Authorised dealer in Cyprus,changed anti roll bar bushes,struts top mountings,thrust arm and some other bushes.
The problem is still there. If you find a solution please give me all the details.
thanks.

 

[Robbo]

It's most likely your front suspension drop links. A common problem on the W203, they are underspecced for UK roads.

 

[concordepilot19]

Worn drag link and worn ball joints was the unsolicited verdict after a MB B service. However, there are no symptoms whatsoever (4.5 years old and 112,000 miles). I'll leave it until the MOT.

 

[Paul64]

The other cheaper and easier thing to check first is the anti-roll bar bushes - I have had to change mine recently on my W124 500E and my neighbour did the same job on his 'S' reg 300 Turbodiesel shortly after.... You would think this would have been uprated by now if there was a known fault!
The other thing I changed is the steering draglink that runs across the car to the wheel. That rattles over rough ground and gives a little more play in the steering.

 

[gurj1979]

I have a problem with my '95 W202, it has done over 200K. Engine is still bloody good, I've had it serviced and tuned nicely.

Before I tell you the problem, this is what I have changed to try and fix the problem. I have replaced the bearings myself (stupid mechanics never noticed they were worn and cracked), and I have replaced the brake pads because they were worn. I have also replaced the steering damper with a new one from MB. Replaced the steering box myself as well.

All the replacements have helped, but here's the problem...
When I do a full turn to left or right, I can hear a clunk. Moreso, when I am driving the car, it just LOVES to hover/wobble left and right (sometimes it always wants to go left slightly), and I have to try and keep the steering straight.

5 years ago the front right-side wheel had a fight with a kerb at 40mph to avoid a crash with a bus. So I know that did something very bad, but I can't find the problem.

My wife is starting work on 8th April, and I'm hoping to get it fixed before then or just after. I don't really want her driving a wobbly car from the Flinstones.

So, with the problem it currently has, am I right in assuming that the ball joints are battered? Or could it be my tie rod ends? I'm running out of solutions, and this is the only solution I have found on the internet (after 2 years of searching, no lie).

Please advise....Also I cant afford to go spending a fortune on it, so some good parts and a cheap mechanic would be good. I would do it myself, but I now live in apartments and on-site repairs is prohibited.