1995 C220 - Obnoxious Squeeking Noise from suspension
 

My car has been making a loud squeaking noise from the rear passenger side tire/wheel area. It has gotten progressively worse over the past several months to the point that it has become not only embarrassing to drive around anywhere but also terribly annoying. More often than not, I have to turn on the radio just to block out the noise inside the car.

Last fall, I took the car to the dealership (when the noise wasn't so loud) and specifically asked them to check the suspension to determine the cause of the squeak. They were unable to find anything; however, they did replace the rear flex disc. However, that did not eliminate the squeak. Earlier this year, after showing the car to several different mechanics, the consensus was that the source of the problem was the rear control arm and the connecting rods. Each mechanic concluded that the shocks were fine and not the problem. Hence, I had the rear control arm and the rods replaced on the passenger side. The noise disappeared for a week or two but then returned again with the same loudness. This was also the case when they replaced the rear flex disc. In May, I took the car to another dealership for a 30K service and again, asked them to specifically check the noise along with the flex disc in the front (because now I was beginning to hear a muffled noise from the front suspension, but not at all similar to the one in the rear). They told me that the front flex disc was fine and that I need to change all four shocks as they were the cause of the squeak. Unable to come up with another solution, I had all four shocks replaced in hopes that the problem would finally be fixed. Given that the car has 165K miles on it and still had the original shocks, I think it was ot a bad idea to replace the shocks regardless of the noise issue. However, replacing the shocks hasn't solved the problem either. The squeek is still around. I am quite concerned about this horrible squeaking noise and was hoping that the members of this forum may be able to shed some more light on this dilemma of mine.

One last thing. Someone else had mentioned a this in an earlier post; when reversing out of my parking space in the morning, I hear a muffled popping sound from the front of the car. It just happens once and almost routinely each morning. What could the cause of this and is this something that may turn into another nightmare for me?

Any help/comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million.

Drop the sway bar inner bushings and lube them. Both ends. I'd also look to make sure the e-brake shoes are not falling apart.


Joe

Thanks very much. I'll take it to my local mechanic and ask him to take a look at it. While trying to diagnose the problem, he did lube both ends of the control arm bushings (?). However, that obviously didn't fix the problem.

I was wondering if you have any diagrams and/or pictures of what I should be looking for underneath my car to make sure the mechanic is doing the right thing? Sorry for my lack of technical knowledge, but what are e-brakes?

Thanks again.

Emergency or parking brake shoes, little brake shoes inside the rear rotors, used only with hand (or in this case, foot) brake. They will fall apart and get peices trapped between the rotor and shoe, makes some odd noises. Backing plates (the metal ring behind the rotors) can be bent slightly and rub the rotor causing some noises too. The sway bars go from side to side, on the front it runs from lower control arm l/h to lower control arm r/h. There is a drop bracket that holds the inner bushings. (which are nothing more than a rubber sleeve)



Joe

Thanks again. I'll ask them to look for those problem areas.

My 98 C230 had noises from the right rear. The dealer replaced the differential mounts, which helped some. They said the rest might be shocks, but I installed koni sport shocks, which didn't change the noise at all. They then replaced the rear 'sway bar assembly' under warranty, which got rid of the rest of the noise.

Also, I notice that whenever the drop down rear seat back is down on the right, there is a squeaking noise. This noise is there if the seatback is not completely latched as well. Firmly latching the seatback eliminates this noise.

same prob with a 1985 190. Sprayed lubricating oil all over the rear suspension- helped for about a month. It looks like some of the bushings are going bad. two mechs said my rear suspension is just fine

Annoying Noise
 

Did anybody ever resolve this issue?

I am experiencing the same thing, I think. I would describe the noise as similar to a small object inside a Pringles canister.

I already checked if I had anything loose (i.e. tools, spare tire, fender, etc. ), but to no avail.

Just like everybody else, I'm hoping somebody can lead us to a resolution.

Thanks.
JC

I've gotten the squeak out of a few 202's by either replacing the sway bar links or the bushings or lubing them. The bearings on the front will get excessive slop in them and make contact with the backing plates in parking lots too. (the first one was a s.o.b. to find :-) )


Joe

unhu.. nope, my squeak DEFINITELY comes fromm the rear. By the way, is a sway bar synonymous with the anti-roll bar??

Suspension noise is a nightmare to trouble shoot. Lubricating will often make the noise disappear for a while but generally there is a reason a component is noisy, it is usually worn out and requires replacing. I would say at 165k miles you would be a candidate for a total suspension rebuild, all bushes, ball joints, shocks etc. This sort of work will transform the car by restoring it's original ride quality. I am part way through this process myself on my W126.

Matt.

squeaky rear suspension
 

lubricate the spring coils where they interact with the seats, and carefully check the links on the ends of the anti-sway (roll) bar.

What type of lube could be used on the bushings or other components in the rear? Wifes 98 C230 w/106k miles on it is also squeeking in the rear. It comes and goes and switches sides. If i drive it slow (from a stop take foot off brake) the squeek will be every few seconds as though it has something to do with a certain point of rotation of the rear wheel.