Clunkety Clunk

[Markbhai]

Hi All.

I have an intermittent 'clunk' coming from the drive train.  It is common enough for me to notice it, but not common enough for me to be able to reproduce it on demand.

The sound would be best described as a mechanical 'clunk' and it is associated with a gear change (Auto 230SL).  On changing gears normally the sound from the gearbox is smooth and indiscernible, but sometimes it is louder and a little concerning.  I have noticed it more at low speeds and possible changing between the lower gears, for example this weekend I noticed in when looking for a parking space in a car park.

Whilst I am not overly concerned, as with anything with our cars, I would rather diagnose now than have something to go wrong later, so I would welcome any comments.

I don't know the last time there was a clutch change, so is it possible for example this might need changing?

Cheers

Mark.

[Bonnyboy]

Mark - shot in the dark here as I don't have an automatic  ...   but make sure your retaining plates and bolts for the brake calipers are tight.   I had a clunk that I couldn't reproduce on the hoist so I went under the car with a long metal rod and smacked everything I could find and couldn't find anything lose. Then by chance I noticed one tang on the locking tabs for a caliper was not bent all the way and the bolt had a little gap.   The other bolt was lose as well.   I tightened it up and the clunk went away.

If you had asked me where it was coming from I was sure it was the rubber mount for axle into the boot.   I bought a new mount and it turned out to be a brake caliper.   

Good luck.