Low-speed suspension noises?

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:

> 2002 300M with Performance Handling Package. 135K miles.
>
> Not-so-loud low-pitched "clunking" noise on uneven surfaces at
> low speed

I can't believe that (a) you've never read or remembered any of my
previous posts regarding suspension on my '00 300m, and (b) that nobody
else here has posted the obvious cause of your clunking:

-> Front Sway Bar Bushings.

Anyone with an LH-body car knows that you'll need to replace those as
often as you replace your front disk brake pads.

I've done mine 3 times.

Also, unless you've verified the state of rust of your front struts,
lower spring retaining plate, be aware that they will rust and fail and
cause the spring to bottom out on the steering link arm, possibly
causing the retaining plate to come into contact with your tire.
Definately something you don't want to happen during high-speed driving.

It happened to me 2 years ago as I hit a pothole at the bottom of a long
dip in the road, but I was only going maybe 25 mph and had just a
fraction of an inch clearance to the tire - and was able to drive home
and (later the next day) replace the strut (monroe quick-strut, which I
think was never right since day one in terms of clunking and will
probably change it again this fall).

A year later I replaced the other front strut - the lower spring
retaining plate was half rusted and could have failed at any time.

I have since replaced these:

- front sway bar links
- lower control arm (driver's side)
- front tension rod + bushings (driver's side)
- and like I said, front sway bar bushings (several times)
- have also replaced rear sway bar bushings (once)

I've not yet changed the outer tie-rod ends (that's not a job I'd look
forward to unless I know for sure they are worn and causing knocking).

But like I've already said, the first place to look for the cause of a
knock in the front while driving over slightly uneven pavement at city
driving speed is the front sway bar bushings.