W202 Creak - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 02-26-2012, 01:50 PM

I noticed recently that the passenger side wheel area of my C220 makes a creaking sound most noticeable when I hit the breaks while backing up. It occassionally makes the same sound when I turn right moving forward.

I changed the lower ball joints thinking that might be the cause but still have it (the ball joints needed it anyway so I didn't mind). Now I'm wondering if its my upper control arm ball joint. Its somewhat hard to diagnose as the car has to be moving to simulate it. I did try jacking the wheel up and spun it and had someone hit the breaks a few times but could not create the same sound. Although I noticed a slight clunk from the UCA ball joint.

Any thoughts?

Update:

I don't think its my UCA BJ. I just squirted grease in there and still getting noise.

ILUVMILS · #2 02-27-2012, 12:24 PM

Remove the front sway bar and see if the noise goes away.

tobybul · #3 02-27-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

Remove the front sway bar and see if the noise goes away.

Just had my indy take a quick peak. he thinks it might be worn LCA bushings. Anyone ever try to do this work?

tobybul · #4 02-28-2012, 12:42 PM

Had car up in hoist and my indy showed me the left side bushing is worn. Right may need it soon.

Now I gotta decide what brand to go with. Online I see lemfoerder, meyle, febi and URO. URO is half the price. I read a few comments here not to get URO parts but no reason given.

Any experience?

UPDATE:

After reading some posts in Benzworld forum, I'm staying away from URO parts especially critical rubber parts. If you are interested, just go to that forum and search URO.

glenmore · #5 02-28-2012, 03:52 PM

I have a 2000 C280 with 95k. For as long as I can remember it has had a slight clunk from the front suspension when I go in reverse and hit the brakes. Also a bit of noise when I turn into a driveway.

I have been under the car many times and I don't see anything with excessive play. I did buy some lower ball joints in preperation but have not put them in.

I understand that Lemforder and Febi are pretty good brands, as close to OEM as you can get, but are still manufactured by others. I have had terrible service from URO parts and so-so from Meyle.

I would check prices versus OEM and make a decision based on how long you expect to keep the car. If <5 years than the URO parts may be fine. With OEM parts you can expect 10-15 years.

The noise was from the right, but the obvious wear was on the left?

tobybul · #6 02-28-2012, 04:16 PM

The clunk or in my case, creak, comes from the LCA bushing. If torn this is what happens, Like you I checked and checked but could not see anything until I had the car up on a hoist and put a crowbar on the bushing and noticed the play.

I used a Meyle BJ for replacement. Job was fairly easy to do. Right now am looking into getting poly bushing. But maybe too expensive so I'll just use regular bushings.