Hi everyone,

Finally got down to the mech to have him take a look at the car. Went for a test drive around a couple of blocks, and put the car through situations (tight turns) most likely to generate *that* groaning noise. It played up a bit every now and then, but because it came on intermittenly, the mech was unable to trace the source.

Back to the workshop. He visually checked the lower ball joints (no leaking, no tear) and engine mounts (looked OK). I should have asked him to lift the car and push back the sleeve as suggested by georgedaman, but it slipped my mind.

Is it possible for the grease inside the ball/socket to dry up even if the balljoint looked perfectly OK?

Also, Jeff, what specifically does your "struts" refer to?

Meanwhile, I'm probably getting a second opinion. And this time, I hope to get the mech to check it the way you guys suggested. Any more inputs before I make another trip down to the workshop?

Thanks.....

Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)

[Edited by Mervyn on 07-15-2001 at 11:59 PM]