I know it’s a suspension problem I don’t want to be buying parts?

Tiny
JAY-T
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240
  • 2.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,014 MILES
When I’m driving over bumps and uneven roads it’s knocks loud almost like a rattle as well but if the road is level the sound dies down but still there but barely when I turn it makes noise only if I hit a bump just like it sounds pretty much all the time but nothing to say it’s the CV joint no clicking of that nature I was told it may be the sway bar link/strut and or strut mount to me but don’t really know I hope you can help before I get to buy things with the little info you have can you help plz. Last thing is there all guide of some sort to walk me through in replacing whichever part is believed to be broken
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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 AT 8:55 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Wow, you are not kidding! that is some noise there I would not drive the car anymore until and inspection is done, this can be the strut itself or the mount/frame issue, I would raise the car up in the front and use a flashlight to look for anything unusual. Here is a video and a guide to help you with the inspection and how to jack the car up to be able to do so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLFn_bMkZc0&t

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

Please go over these guides and get back to us. Thanks for the video it helps. If you find something but are unsure upload a video or image so I can see it. Ken

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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
JAY-T
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Here is a a video of me going through suspension parts of possible culprits I cant tell if theres damage nor can I tell you if the bushings are good or if some or all are good or bad honestly I dont know much to identify the problem by looking at it im hoping you will anyway thank you once again if I can do anything else that will help iplease let me know
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Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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From the video everything looks okay. The car is not rusted out which is good, I would look at the struts to see if any oil is leaking from the top of the shock cartridge. If the strut comes apart internally it will make the noise in the video. Press down on the front bumper to see if you can duplicate the noise which will help you find the source.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2026 AT 8:51 AM
Tiny
JAY-T
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I still can’t really tell where it’s coming from but to me it sounds like it’s coming from the top strut area in the previous video I zoomed in on the top part of the strut where the rubber casing is off exposing the metal im not sure if everything looks up to par there but my guess. Would all be the sound seems like it’s coming in that general area but again I could be completely wrong also a friend of the precious owner said it may be the sway bar links from the videos I provided can you tell if thats what’s causing the sound lastly from what you knkw so far as far as evidence goes where do you think I should start if in fact we can’t determine a definite answer because I’m stuck here im not sure what I should do now. Thank you for your help it’s greatly appreciated anyway I hope you can see something I can’t thank you for your time
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Friday, January 23rd, 2026 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, that can be the sway bar link, you can remove one side and check the links for play, also the part of the strut you need to check for oil leaks is in the image below. It is very common for the strut to go out and make this noise FYI. Thanks for the video an image they help. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2026 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
JAY-T
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  • 5 POSTS
So I can’t really tell so I bought a shock and strut assembly from a junk yard but I feel I may have made a mistake most people are telling me it’s the shock and strut im not sure but I it’s missing the rubber boot part
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 6:29 AM
Tiny
JAY-T
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  • 5 POSTS
Is it a good art jts does habe any leaks some dust but no leaks and no dents or damage to anything else
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it looks okay to me, (no leaks) I would install it. Let me know if the noise goes away.
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 8:56 AM

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