Weird squeak in the front left suspension, 300SDL

[cmac2012]

Noticed it today. Sounds like rubber against steel. Could be a lot of things I guess but I thought maybe someone might know if it's a common problem with one part of it.

*ETA* I'm finding 'ball joint' in searching.

[Diseasel300]

My ball joints sounded like a rubber "squeak" too, primarily when turning, or when moving slowly and going over a change in elevation, such as the bump at the end of the driveway. It slowly grew into groan, then after a rain suddenly became a heinous shriek every time you turned the wheel.

[cmac2012]

That's it exactly.

I just saw a lower front end rebuild kit on the web - under $300. Would love to do that, don't have the time. Would be a learning curve involved no doubt. Got to do it someday. Will replace the left ball joint for now. I'm guessing I can limp on it for a while.

[bsmuwk]

take a grease needle and give the a joint or two a squirt of oil or grease, if the noise goes away you found your offending joint.

ball joints are common. replace in pairs, they're cheap.

[83w126]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

That's it exactly.

I just saw a lower front end rebuild kit on the web - under $300. Would love to do that, don't have the time. Would be a learning curve involved no doubt. Got to do it someday. Will replace the left ball joint for now. I'm guessing I can limp on it for a while.

Ball joints are pretty cheap (like $20 each) but it takes a lot of money in tools (spring compressor, ball joint press, ball joint separator, etc) to replace them,

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

That's it exactly.

I just saw a lower front end rebuild kit on the web - under $300. Would love to do that, don't have the time. Would be a learning curve involved no doubt. Got to do it someday. Will replace the left ball joint for now. I'm guessing I can limp on it for a while.

When I bought one of those kits for my 84 300D all of the parts were made by URO which is not known for high quality parts.
I have never used all of mine. But, in particular people have complained the Tie Rod joints do not old up.

People have trouble shooted ball joints by lifting the boots (where there is room to do that) and spraying in some WD-40. If the squeak goes away they check the joint for play. If there is no discernible play some have simply made sure there was grease under the boot and drove on while others replace the joint.

[pawoSD]

Another offender for creaks/squeaks in the w126 front suspension is the upper control arms.

[INSIDIOUS]

I solved this a ways back and posted about it. jack it up and spray all that old rubber stuff with 'armor all' type stuff. Don't be shy about it. turn the wheels both ways. simple and cheap. Yer welcome.

[cmac2012]

Good advice. I'm going to try the grease needle thing, both for troubleshooting and to maybe buy some time.

[Diseasel300]

Just so you know how bad mine were before they started making noise: