I've got a pronounced "clunk" in my driver's side rear wheel, mostly over sharp low speed bumps. And mostly/only when there is only a bump for that wheel, like a man-hole cover. Big high speed bumps and dips that affect both wheels don't seem to be a problem. Any ideas what to check first, ect?

rear sway bar link maybe?

I had a "clunking" with my 911 rear end >> but was synched to speed >> was CV joints gone bad..

I went and bought a couple rear sway bar links. I'll give it shot this weekend.

Could be broken spring. It would give that effect.

Its probably the N2 cell/sphere that has gone bad ...replace them both. Its part of the self-levelling system and its a common problem that's easily fixed.

Cells should run you under $200 each I believe, from a dealer.

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Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

Do E's have Strut Bump Stops on top of the rear struts? It's a replaceable item on W140's, and they go bad after time. If so, that could also be a suspect. This can cause a thump/bang/bump sound over bumps, as well as creaky and/or rattling noises.

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1995 S600, 1 of 618 (sold)

"Speed is just a question of money...how fast you wanna go?"

LONG LIVE THE W140!
Visit my Web Page at www.v12uberalles.com

Well, it wasn't the sway bar links. Hum, those were cheap enough for a "throw money at it" attempt.

I hate to spend $400 on "N2 cell/spheres" on the chance they may be the problem. Is there a way to tell if they are bad?

Also, the car makes no noise over big bumps that I hit with both wheels.

Well, I'm no tech but the few 500Es my friends and I have, the hollow clunk going slowly, over small bumps was always the N2 cells, usually just one side fails before the other but I'd change both, which is exactly what I need to do again !! I think the diaphram inside breaks or rips and you'd have to cut one open to see that I guess...I will do that on this bad one I have.

Just got the clunk last week....this will be the third time in 146K miles for my car. But its alright....I auto-x it several times a year and it is lowered so perhaps that prematurely wears them out(?).

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Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

Want to see the inside of a pressure sphere?

http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1183427&posts=7&hl=accumulator

__________________
1995 S600, 1 of 618 (sold)

"Speed is just a question of money...how fast you wanna go?"

LONG LIVE THE W140!
Visit my Web Page at www.v12uberalles.com

It may also be worn bushings in one of your rear links. Does it make noises if you push down sharply a few times on the driver's side trunk when parked? If yes, have someone continue to do that while you squirt WD40 on the bushings from underneath until you find the right one.

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Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto

Just went through this a couple months ago on my girlfriend's 93 500e. It exhibited the same exact symptoms you describe. The strut mount bushings were replaced as well as the sway bar links but the noise persisted. The nitrogen cells (accumulators) were both replaced as suggested by many with no results.

Instead of throwing more money at it, I decided to swap the struts from the left to the right. Bingo....the noise moved to the right side. I ordered up a new strut and the noise is gone. I didn't even suspect the struts as everyone claims they are indestructible if not leaking. The car only had 55k miles.

After replacing the strut it hasn't made any noises. Good luck with your diagnosis.

Sphere's leak all the time....physics dictates that the smaller molecule of the Nitrogen will over time leak through the rubber membrane.....Nitrogen pressure can be as high as 6000 psi.

Average life of all spheres is 6 to 8 years.

Citroens/ Rolls Royce/ Audi/ etc...all do it.....join the club

Do not dispose of sphere's in incinerators...you have been warned.
Even old sphere's can have 1400 psi.


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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

By the way.....you can recharge a sphere....you need a high pressure pump capable of 8000 psi..

I know the guy who runs a company in England who rebuilds these for Citroen mostly....he said he cannot export to the USA due to product liability issues.

He sells them in the UK and Australia.....mate.

His company is called......... http://www.pleiades.uk.com/

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."