Squeaking from the rear end . . . - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tankowner · #1 07-23-2008, 02:42 PM

. . . of my car that is. I haven't done much suspension work, so I am just wondering if any has some thoughts here. Definately coming from the left rear and possibly the right rear too. At first I would hear it when I was getting in and out of the car, then as I went over bumps, now it is occuring even more frequently - all within the past month or two. Haven't had the oppurtunity to crawl underneath, but when I do what should I check out?

karmas_benz · #2 07-23-2008, 02:58 PM

I'm having the same problem with my car, it squeaks like crazy (sometimes) I feel like i need to attack the car with wd40 but im not sure this is the right thing to do. I also have NO experience with suspension.

compress ignite · #3 07-23-2008, 06:29 PM

WD40 is a very temporary Placebo.

babymog · #4 07-23-2008, 09:25 PM

Sway bar links if you're lucky, wheel carrier lower bushing if you're not.

Hatterasguy · #5 07-23-2008, 09:35 PM

Don't put on your parking brake, and see if it goes away.

With the parking brake on my car squeaks like an old bed when I get in it.

Magoo · #6 07-23-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

WD40 is a very temporary Placebo.

While temporary, WD40 is also a good tool for locating the source of squeaks. Starting at the lowest point on the suspension, spray a suspect component and test drive. repeat until you find the culprit.
My suspension was squeaking, kind of low pitched though, almost a groan. Turned out to be the rear shocks.

awsrock · #7 07-23-2008, 10:06 PM

I have the same problem..seems to only squeak as the car rises though. Haven't been back there yet, but maybe this weekend. Someone recommended greasing one part at a time and seeing if that fixes it, assuming there isn't something visibly in need of repair. If so, there is your problem..although in my case, I'll still have a problem getting it fixed! I am afraid of suspensions, haha.

tankowner · #8 07-23-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Don't put on your parking brake, and see if it goes away.

With the parking brake on my car squeaks like an old bed when I get in it.

Good idea, but I almost never use my parking break.

tankowner · #9 07-23-2008, 10:56 PM

I wondered if it might be the shocks since it is squeking on the up-down motion, but at the same time it doesn't seem like the shocks are bad. Could it just be that they're old? What else might cause squeaking in the the up-down motion. Or could several possible things since the suspension is all connected?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magoo

While temporary, WD40 is also a good tool for locating the source of squeaks. Starting at the lowest point on the suspension, spray a suspect component and test drive. repeat until you find the culprit.
My suspension was squeaking, kind of low pitched though, almost a groan. Turned out to be the rear shocks.

tankowner · #10 07-23-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Sway bar links if you're lucky, wheel carrier lower bushing if you're not.

Having never replaced either of those, how would I know if they were bad.

babymog · #11 07-24-2008, 09:02 AM

Take off the rear wheels. The wheel carrier lower bushing is where the lower control arm and the wheel carrier casting meet, if the bushing looks torn it is likely bad (and a common failure item by this age). Squirt oil on it and see if the squeak stops (as a troubleshooting method). The sway-bar links are plastic links that run from the sway-bar to the control arm, look at the condition of the other bushings while the wheel is off (including the differential and subframe mount bushings).

Don't be surprised to see a couple of bushings that need replacement.

tankowner · #12 07-24-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Take off the rear wheels. The wheel carrier lower bushing is where the lower control arm and the wheel carrier casting meet, if the bushing looks torn it is likely bad (and a common failure item by this age). Squirt oil on it and see if the squeak stops (as a troubleshooting method). The sway-bar links are plastic links that run from the sway-bar to the control arm, look at the condition of the other bushings while the wheel is off (including the differential and subframe mount bushings).

Don't be surprised to see a couple of bushings that need replacement.

Great. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll check it out and let you know what I find.