I think that I am getting some noise from the sway bar bushings in front. (A creaking/popping noise near front wheel when initially taking off from stop sign or turning over a bump) Can these be lubricated? With what?

Nothing in your front end can be lubricated. All the joints are sealed. I have never had any problem with the sway bar bushings. The links get loose and rattle or klunk. They need to be replaced when they get that way.

Most squeeks come from the lower ball joints on 124 cars.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Which links are you speaking of? I thought there weren't any links up front for the stabilizer bar, just mounting brackets for the bushings.

This problem first surfaced after an alignment with replacement of tie rod ends at the dealer last year. I had it back, they could find nothing, replaced the center link. The problem was still there, but I gave up. Months later it mostly disappeared. Now, since having the car aligned again ( I replaced the struts), the sound has returned. The dealer says all the components are OK, I haven't had it back again about the noise yet.

The sound reminds me of what I have heard on other cars to be problems with the sway bar bushings, but I'm no expert. I noticed on the service CD rom, that a technical modification was made to the sway bar bushings (polyester/teflon stocking) to decrease noise. The manual suggests using a naphtholene rubber lubricant on the old style bushings only. I thought maybe I could do that to see if it would help before dragging it back for new ball joints.

I appreciate your input and experience. I guess I'll take it back to the dealer unless anyone else has some suggestions.

First off, your car is not a 4matic? They have definite noises from the front sway bar, and it reguires a new sway bar and outer bushing kit.
Your noise could be from the TOP of the sway bar link. Careful check where the flat link bolts to the frame rail. I often find them broken. Try to push it over with a large screwdriver or just loosen it.

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Take a look at the lower control arm bushings as well. If worn, they can produce squeaks, pops and the like.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

It was the sway bar links where they contact the frame. Thanks!!