W211 Estate Airmatic rear suspension rattle / clonk

[Gipsyracer]

First let me say that I've searched the forums here and on Google, and can't find the answer to my question, hence this post. Thanks in advance for replies from those wiser than I am.

My E280 estate, (2007, 200K miles) has developed a noise which sounds like its coming from the rear suspension. On another car, I'd say it sounds just like a knackered damper. The noise is absent on billiard-table smooth roads, but really irritating on your average UK bumpy road.

The airmatic seems to be working just fine.
The noise is completely unaffected by damper setting.
The exhaust mountings and shrouding have been checked - it's not that.
A general tug at everything whilst on the ramp reveals nothing.
My local independant M-B specialist can't offer a solution beyond changing the dampers (very expensive), and I'm convinced its not them.

So this leaves a bushing somewhere as the chief suspect.

Anyone got any suggestions before I have it all pulled to bits? (I am an engineer myself, but I'm having the job done by my local, trusted, mechanic as I have to keep on with the day job)

Thanks in advance.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

A general tug at everything whilst on the ramp reveals nothing.
My local independant M-B specialist can't offer a solution beyond changing the dampers (very expensive), and I'm convinced its not them.

A "general tug" simply may not reveal the culprit.

You may need a lot of force similar to what the car would experience on the road.
Many garages use huge breaker bars and plates for the wheels to sit on with bars to check suspension joints.

Perhaps try another garage?

 

[Gipsyracer]

A "general tug" simply may not reveal the culprit.

You may need a lot of force similar to what the car would experience on the road.
Many garages use huge breaker bars and plates for the wheels to sit on with bars to check suspension joints.

Perhaps try another garage?

I trust the garage, been using them for 25 years!