i had a groaning sound in right passenger side when turning wheel to left and right.finally diagnosed it to be idler arm bushings.i loosened bolt through the arm and got no groaning.i was unable to get bushings out as i couldnt get car high enough to bang a full swing.local mbz indy did it in 30 minutes,now no more groaning.some jobs are just not worth spending hours on.now im happy.

Responding to old post that came up in search.

I too sometimes get a groaning sound from passenger side. It is quite loud. I have wheels and splash covers off and car on jack stands (for other work), but thought I should see what might be causing groaning. Just looking at it, it would seem the noise might be transmitted through part 100.

Others say idler arm bushing.

Steering also seems a bit loose. I know how to adjust steering box, but maybe could also be slop in joints?

Any simple way to do a quick check of various joints?

Maybe I should have shop look at it once I have other repairs completed. Then get on with my life

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

The purported test for a bad idler arm, aside from the sound you're hearing is to get the front wheels off the ground, grab the passenger tire at 9 & 3 O'clock positions and shake it like hell.

If you feel movement or "give", it could be due to a worn idler bushing.

I replaced mine at I'm guessing 250,000 mi. (broken odo) and it didn't fix anything, however I was having shakes at high speed, not noise from that area. My shakes turned out to be worn tires because of worn LCA bushings which also cause noise (when turning left or right) by pulling and pushing excessivley on the guide rod mounts.

If your steering is loose, its probably from worn tie rod ends, worn drag link ends and a tired stabilizer.

If you're adjusting the nut on the steering box, that should only be a TEMPORARY solution for excessive play. If you don't address the rubber pieces and rod ends, you will be spending alot more on tires than you ever wanted to.

Willson
85 300CD

Thanks for the encouragement

Seeing I have the wheels off, I tried to grip the disks and move them. But I could not. I visually checked everything and nothing looks really bad. Just one slightly damaged rubber on a ball joint.

Tires are about 3 years old, low mileage, but wearing evenly. I had alignment done when they were installed and alignment company (also do front ends) did not seem to have any trouble.

Once I get car fully back together, for safety sakes, I think I might let an expert check the suspension.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5