Has anyone experienced a clunking noise coming from the rear-end in their 190E? When I shift into drive and accelerate, whether I accelerate fast or slow, I get a one time clunking sound. When I accelerate from a stop light I don't get the clunking sound.
Can anyone help me isolate this problem?

G

You might check the center driveshaft support bearing - see if there is any play. Much less involved than having the differential rebuilt. Also check the driveshaft couplers and tranny support bracket.

Steve

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'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7

Check the entire driveshaft - rear flex disk, U-Joint, and especially the front flex disk, which is the most likely culprit.

Most "axle clunks" are the result "driveline slop" caused by a deteriorated front flex disk. They are usually toast (cracks in the rubber) if they have over 60K miles.

Duke

Rear Subframe bushings can cause a clunk if they get bad enough. Visual inspection doesn't always do justice to the problem, but it seems these particular rubber parts lasts for a decent amount of time. I also get a clunk from my ghetto-blasting cut-down-by-previous-owner springs, but this is on single wheel deflection.


cheers,
dan r.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I have already replaced the rear flex disc, thinking it might be the culprit, but it wasn't.
I'll take a closer look at the bushings and mounts.

Thanks.
G

The rear flex disc is much stiffer and durable than the front one. You'll probably go through several front flex disks before the rear needs to be changed.

Duke

Here is a post for replacing the rear subframe bushings.

w201 subframe bushing how-to (w/ DIY puller!)

You can follow the link from that post for information on how to replace the front set. I'm not saying the bushings are you problem, conventional wisdom says the flex disks fail far more often.


cheers,
dan r.

I just completed a 5-speed swap into my 190D 2.5L (Today!) and feel a huge clunk between power and decelerate in the same gear, which I never felt with the auto.

The rear control arm (upper and lower) bushings are shot, do you think they could cause such a clunk?? From inside the car it feels as though the rear diff is being held in by one bolt.

Flex discs and center bearings are fine, and I could not pry the diff much from the body with a pry bar (diff bushings seem OK).

Thanks,
John

__________________
1986 190D, 2.5L, 5-speed swap, 180,000 Miles (60K by me).
Jeep CJ-7 with Cummins 4BT/NV4500/AtlastII 4.3.
Grand Wagoneer 4BT project in progress!