I got out my car today and heard a strange noise from the rear driver's side wheels area. It sounds like a metal squeak. I pushed down the rear end. I heard the noise again. Is it the rear end suspension bad? How do I ID the problem? Is it OK to take it to Big O and have them check it out? Any idea how much I am looking at? Thanks.

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89 300 CE

I put some WD40 to the rear shocks area to quiet the noise, it did work a little bit. I took my car to the tire shop yesterday, the guy told me that was not a big deal of problem, at least not a safety problem. But he told me it is better off to replace all four shocks and struts. (I am not sure they have never been changed or not, how do I find out the info.?) He mentioned some brand name but did not quote me the price yet. (It seems that he does not have much knowledge of Mercedes). In case I need to replace all shocks and struts, can anyone tell me which brand I should pick, What kind of shop to go to ?How much is for the complete job? Thanks a lot.

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89 300 CE

Yes, get it up in the air on a lift when the wheels are supported and bounce it. The noise should be very apparent. Often using your hand to feel for the vibration portion of the squeak can pinpoint it.

Most likely you have a lower A-arm bearing that is rusty, typically the lower outer part by the wheel. It could also be the vertical plastic swaybar link.

Let us know what it was.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

do you use your emergency brake?
if you do, park the car without the emergency brake and test again.

WD40 is more of a cleaner then a lubricator

you can use the other forum here to help find a mercedes shop familiar with your car.

you can also use FASTLANE here to familiarze yourself with proper shocks.

how many miles are on these shocks? and research having most of the rubber rear suspension bushings changed out

Bilstein or Boge shocks, anything else is seriously disappoint you. Natrually, these are the most expensive.

However, squeaks from the rear end like that on s W124 are much more likely to be bad link bushings, requiring replacement of the links. This isn't a bad job, and much cheaper than the shocks.

Jack a rear wheel free of the ground with the parking brake set and put the lug wrench on a bolt and give it a good twist (not enough to knock the car off the jack, please!). If the wheel moves forward or backward under moderate force, the thrust and torque links are shot and need to be replaced.

This will get rid of the rumbling on rought roads, too.

Won't hurt ot plan on new sway bar mounts, front and rear, as well.

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!

On my car, a '95 E300 Diesel, the exact noise that you describe end-up being the Passenger side rear control arm bushing. The part is about $40.00, but is hard to get to. it took my Indi, about 2 Hrs to remove the rusted old one and install the new one. 6 Months ago I had to replace the rear driver's side bushing for the same reason. More expensive than almost any other bushing work in the rear, but much cheaper than new shocks.

He diagnosed it by lifting the car and listening with his stethoscope. That's the only proper way to do it.

Phil

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]