Author Topic: Clunking going over bumps...  (Read 3826 times)

teahead

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, WA, Des Moines
  • Posts: 781
  • aka "Rob"
Clunking going over bumps...
« on: September 25, 2019, 16:41:55 »
Going over bumps, sounds like something is loose or metal on metal contact.

I looked under there and can't find anything loose.

Is this a classic symptom of maybe a bad trans mount?  Seems like it's coming under the floor.

Or bad king pins?  I grabbed the wheel and it all seems tight.

Motor mounts?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

WRe

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Germany, Hessen, Seeheim-Jugenheim
  • Posts: 1453
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2019, 16:56:18 »

cfm65@me.com

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Posts: 739
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2019, 18:59:20 »
Could be an exhaust hanger.
28 Ford Model A Pickup
29 Chevy Phaeton
67 E Type FHC
67 250SL 5 speed
83 911SC
2015 VW T5 California Pop Top

JamesL

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, London, London
  • Posts: 3607
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2019, 19:31:46 »
Make sure your jack is securely in it’s clip in the trunk

No need to ask me how I know this....
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

Tyler S

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2019, 19:59:16 »
If it seems like its under the floor then could be exhaust. Grab ahold of the tailpipes and give them an up and down shake. Just don't burn yourself! Also make sure the e-brake cables aren’t making contact with the center muffler.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2019, 20:08:49 »
Smaller chance it could be what's known as the clunk bushing. This is the one that's on the shaft that holds all of the hinged parts on the rear axle.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2019, 21:45:47 »
Take a look at the metal heat shield above the exhaust in front.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2019, 21:47:09 »
Also try greasing the front suspension. If the noise temporarily goes away then it is most  likely worn front suspension parts.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Tom in seattle

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • USA, WA, Shoreline
  • Posts: 151
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2019, 03:39:28 »
I’ve had various exhaust hanger problems you can usually find by getting under and shaking things.  The one which  haunted me for 2 years was a ringing sort of clatter that only occurred at 3k rpm. Finally one day I happened to hit an exhaust pipe with a wrench (or ?) and heard the same tone and my ears went to full alert.  It was the two exhaust pipes contacting each other.  I was able to pry them apart and no more unwanted sympathetic music.
Tom Averill
1967 250 SL Auto Euro Spec

dpreston Virginia

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, VA, Salem
  • Posts: 275
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2019, 12:45:50 »
The usual culprit is the rear axle differential mount.
190SL 1960 Sold
280SL 1969
280SE 1969 cabriolet
Vette 67
Porsche 912 67

teahead

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, WA, Des Moines
  • Posts: 781
  • aka "Rob"
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2019, 15:17:20 »
Thanks!

I'm thinking the latter.

I've greased the hell out of the front suspension and rear diff.   Grabbed the exhaust pipe(s) and shook it to hell; tight as a drum.

I'll keep looking, but probably either a trans mount or diff mount I'm thinking.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

dpreston Virginia

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, VA, Salem
  • Posts: 275
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2019, 16:09:11 »
The rear differential clunk is very distinctive. Makes you look around when it happens, and say what was that!
190SL 1960 Sold
280SL 1969
280SE 1969 cabriolet
Vette 67
Porsche 912 67

TJMart

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, NC, Matthews
  • Posts: 370
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2019, 12:38:41 »
My 280SL would have a hard metal to metal contact thump when I went over a speed bump and yes, it turned out to be the rear differential mount. It was totally collapsed! Never replaced in 45 yrs.
Tony
1970 280SL, 4 Speed

calhippie

  • Full Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, CA, IRVINE
  • Posts: 33
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2019, 20:40:30 »
Teahead, did you ever find the source of your 'clunk?'  I chased a very similar sound for over two years, replacing exhaust hangars, differential mount, inspecting everything I could think of, to no avail.  Pulled off the right rear wheel to inspect the brake caliper, thinking it may have been loose.  While doing so, and tapping around with a rubber mallet on the axle, I heard "the sound."  The retention springs holding my handbrake shoes tight were shot, and had no tension in them.  Bingo!  The brake shoes, while still in the correct position, were loose enough that whenever going over even small bumps, reflectors in the road, etc., they would be jarred enough to bang around.  I went ahead and replaced the shoes, retaining springs, etc. with the Mercedes parts (I am five minutes away from the Irvine classic center).  Silence! 
Geoff
1970 280SL
Light Ivory

Mike K

  • Inactive
  • Silver
  • ****
  • South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg
  • Posts: 351
    • Mike Kirkinis
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2019, 18:53:13 »
My 280SL would have a hard metal to metal contact thump when I went over a speed bump and yes, it turned out to be the rear differential mount. It was totally collapsed! Never replaced in 45 yrs.

Similar story here, I replaced the mount and the clunking stopped.
Before and after pics below.

Best
Mike

Feb. 1971 Mercedes 280SL Auto  LHD (Last of W113 Series)
Aug. 1989 Mercedes R107 300SL RHD (Last of R107 Series)
http://michali.zenfolio.com
http://www.lebombo-safaris.com

rjmarco

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • USA, CA, Alamo
  • Posts: 178
Re: Clunking going over bumps...
« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2019, 20:58:27 »
I had the exact same problem after having my rear axle dropped for servicing.  The truck mount was installed upside down and the rear clunked repeatedly.  After my mechanic put the trunk mount right side up, the clunking went away. 
Rich
Alamo, CA