Hi. My car makes this groaning sound when I turn the steering wheel in a parking lot or turning in the street from a stop or at low speeds. It's like a slightly high pitched groan kind of like two rubber surfaces rubbing together. It's coming from the steering wheel inside the car and if I stop turning the wheel, even if it's at full ock, it stops. The sound is not audible outside and it will happen regardless of temperature (car's or environment).
Two shops haven't been able to reproduce the sound. I don't think it's anything to worry about. Then again, I drive 'em better that I fix 'em. What do you think?
Thanks

I was advised it may be the electrical contact noise for the airbag..Ignored it for 1-2 yrs now.

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Tom 2010 C250 4-matic Sport (Canada)

Check for suspension wear. It may be a idler arm repair. There is a repair kit for it about, $30.

I bet that this sound comes from the steering column where the steering axle goes through the rubber in the firewall...
The ring underneath the steering wheel for the airbag and claxon contacts can produce noise as well. The rubber part of the steering wheel that is pulled over the back of the wheel (near the airbag ring) can produce irritating noises when it is not properly in place anymore...

The rubber in the firewall will make a whistling sound when it thinks it is in desperate need of Vaseline...

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

Have you check the power steering fluid level. The "groaning" sound is similar to what I was hearing from my '88 124 several weeks ago. After checking the PS fluid level (it was low), adding a bit to the resevoir, no more groan sounds. Hope this helps.

Marks88

Are you sure your girlfriend is not under the dash?

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll check on all the suggestions.
Bigshot, if I had someone under the dash I would have my wife to worry about and the sound from the steering wheel would be the least of my problems

my 92 400E does the same thing, EXACT same "groaning" noise when PS fluid level is low. Check that first.


Peter

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Peter Balias
pbalias@hotmail.com
1992 400E
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...103&p=46824109

I have been suffering with a squeaking steering wheel for about three weeks. Based on advice from my mechanic, I doused the areas around the steering column, the turn signal, and the cruise control with silicone spray last night and the squeaking stopped. I hope this will be of interest.

J D
86 300 SEL (EURO)

Arias,

I'd exactly the same symtoms as you do, and after replacing the idler arm repair kit and steering damper, the groan is still there. My power steering fluid is level and I am baffled. I'd lived with it for 6 months since my mech could not locate the fault.

Do let us know if you solved the problem.

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Mervyn

1979 W123 (200/M) Midnight Blue
1983 W126 (280SEL) Dupont Deep Black (Previously Pristine Silver)