Was driving the '87 300D through town today and noticed a very high pitched, somewhat erratic squeaking that seemed to be coming from the back end. I realize this is incredibly vague, but I'm on a road trip and am wondering what this is likely to be ... i.e., is this likely something to worry about? It seems to quiet down when the car goes above 20 mph, and start up again when I decelerate. At times is goes away completely. It is a rhythmic squeak, and doesn't seem to be related to bumps in the road (don't think it's suspension). Any tips? I need to drive 60 miles back to my hometown tomorrow.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Could it be the parking brake sticking? I had that problem last week, I think it was just some ice in the springs that hold the brake up when it's released. I asked my mechanic about it, he says it happened to a lot of people that week, probably because we had some rain followed by a cold snap.

Good luck!
Nate

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1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda

Hmm thats a hard one, wheel bearings don't squeak. The differential will whine.

Try this, the next time you hear it put on your parking brake and see if it goes away. Mine does that sometimes, I think the shoes rub the inside of the disc once in awhile.

Actually in the manual it says to put on your parking brake for 30 seconds at 30 mph every once in awhile. I don't know why I would think that would overheat the shoes.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks guys, I'll give that a try ... never thought driving with the p brake on was a good idea, but Lord knows I've done it before absentmindedly anyway.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Well don't do it for a long time, the squeak should go right away.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Chrip chirp chirp when driving on smooth, level road is likely rear brakes, either the parking brake or the rear calipers (if you can, pull a rear wheel and check the rear pads for clearance between backing plate and retainer spring).

If it only happens on bumps or while cornering, it's the thrust links, time for new thrust and torque links. Bad torque links cause "torque steer" -- car will pull to the right on heavy acceleration, IIRC, and you will have excessive rear suspension noise.

Easy to check them, just jack rear wheel off the ground with the parking brake set and apply some torque to a lug bolt (not enough to toss the car off the jack!) -- if the wheel move back and forth, replace the links.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

A dry driveshaft center bearing can make an interesting noise -- a high-pitched whine with kind of a warble. I've had a couple Audi 4000 quattros, and they both needed bearing replacements when I owned them (the carriers were fine). The noise tends to sound like it's coming from the rear of the car and I never heard it when I was driving faster than about 35 mph.

Just a thought --

Russ M

This is a real longshot, but it is also a "simple things first". I once had a stubborn squeak from the rear of an '89 VW, and after a frustrating time of checking all the mechanical things, I finally found that it was the rubber door seals squeaking when the car was in motion. I sprayed them all down with silicon lubricant and that was it. By the way, I owe it to "Click and Clack" the Car Talk brothers on PBS radio- I would never have thought of that in a million years!

Dave
1976 White 300D "Pearl"
1972 Red 220D- well composted parts car
1970 Gray 200- "Earl"- possible retirement project

My rear wheel was also emmitting a sqeaking sound between 20-40mph, so this morning I rode the parking brake for a short distance at about 30-35mph, and it went away!! It went away as soon as I applied pressure to the parking brake, then I released it and it was still gone. Finally!

Click and Clack the Car Talk Guys are awesome! I love that show!! I've heard some of the strangest issues brought up on there. Last time I listened a woman called in because she wanted advice on a "eco-car" so she was going to buy a 1976 450SEL that had been converted to veggie oil by a friend.... That car certainly wasn't stock anymore

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)