I just replaced the upper control arms on my 83' 300SD. Of course the arms came with new ball joints and inner bushings already installed. I also replaced the bushings that connect the sway bar to the arms. With the new parts in place my car drives like an absolute dream! I could not be happier with the results. My trouble is, my new control arms are VERY loud. When I brake, accelerate or do anything that causes the car to bob up and down, there is a loud creaking noise the resonates through the front end.

Was I supposed to use some sort of rubber bushing safe grease when I installed the new parts? Could I have over torqued the bolt the holds the inner part of the control arm?

Would love to hear any ideas or experiences with this situation.

Thanks!

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!

I just did mine with no problem but I have had cars with squeeky bushings and I remember getting some sort of spray at the auto parts store that helped. You might try spraying water on the bushings and then while its wet go driving to see if it stops, if so then it is the bushings.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

Did you torque down with the suspension loaded? If you didn't I don't know what to say. I don't know if I would want to loosen and retighten a locknut.

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

Phil thanks for the isolation idea. I will try that and see if I can figure out which bushing/s are making the noise.

Dannym, I did have the suspension loaded when I tightened everything down. Good point about the lock nuts. If I need to unbolt anything to fix this issue I'll have to get new nut's I guess.

I'll post again when I figure out exactly which bushings are making the noise.

Thanks guys!

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!

I over torqued the nut and bolt that holds the inner part of the upper control arm to the car. This nut is put on with lock tight, so it was easy to back the nut off and put them on with the correct torque.

Thanks for your input guys. Lesson learned!

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!