Could someone help? I have a '99 ML430 with 144,000 miles. Two weeks ago I started having this loud squeak come from the front right side of the truck while driving over any size road imperfection. It almost sounds like metal against metal. I initially thought it was the front shocks, so I replaced them myself. I left on the original bushings because they still looked good and were bigger than the ones that came with my replacements. After doing this, I am still hearing the squeak.

Do you guys think that it may be the bushings? I am going to switch the old ones with the new and see what happens. If the squeak does not go away, I will reluctantly take it to the dealer to find out.

Does anybody out there have an idea what might be going on? Thanks in advance.

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1999 ML430
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71
1993 Honda Prelude V-Tech

Bushes go dry in few years, specially when vehicle is parked outside. I would suggest changing them ASAP.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

Sure the squeak is not coming from the rear? Rear shocks going bad is a common problem, and the symptoms are identical to what you described. I had to replace the rears on my 99 430 at around 55k due to the loud squeaking.

There is a bulletin on noise from the torsion bars...we see that problem (noise) all of the time...somewhat simple repair.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
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27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Well, I switched out those bushings. Now there is an occasional squeak that is hardly noticeable. Still unwanted though.

I had my rear shocks replaced at around the same mileage due to the same noise, but I will check them since it is almost 100,000 miles later.

I am also going to look at the notice on the torison bar and see if that will solve the problem.

Thanks for all the advice guys. This is a really great site. I will keep you posted.

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1999 ML430
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71
1993 Honda Prelude V-Tech

Took the truck to a Benz mechanic today and had noise inspected. Was told that the noise was coming from my Upper control arms and lower ball joints. Since it is recommended to do both sides at the same time, the total cost of these repairs will hit me for about $1,700!

Spoke with another Benz mechanic at a different shop and was told that he knew of the 320's having problems with the control arms, but not the 430's.

How difficult are these repairs to attempt on my own? Should I just replace the bushings on the control arms and not the entire arm? The average price I 've seen for the bushings are about $45 to $50. The lower ball joints are going to cost about $111. The ball joint itself looks like it might be relatively easy, but others on this site say that they are difficult to remove. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

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1999 ML430
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71
1993 Honda Prelude V-Tech

Before spending BIG $$$ like that...try the modification to the torsion bar mounting.

MY bet is that noise is being transmitted thru the chassis.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Finally got around to switching out those plastic shims on the torsion bars this past weekend. No more squeak! Thanks a lot for all the help!

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1999 ML430
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71
1993 Honda Prelude V-Tech