Steering Wheel Groan/Squeak

[franklyspeaking]

I have a 1982 240D and over the past few years it has developed a steering wheel squeak or groaning sound when the wheel is turned. I have not driven it too much in the past couple of years, and it seems to be getting worse with less usage. It sounds like it is coming from inside the car, rather than outside. I thought maybe someone else may have experienced something similar. Thanks.

[Diesel911]

If the noise is comming from under the hood you Powersteering Belt may be slipping and the Powersteering Pump could be low on fluid, need a filter change, or even have an air leak on the suction side.
I try to avoid avoid turning my wheels all the way to the limit of the travel as much as possible as it stresses the system.

[toomany MBZ]

Check the condition of your ball joints.

[nhdoc]

There's a bushing in the steering column in the car that causes my old ones to make this noise. It's worse in cold weather. It is benign if that is what causes yours and I have learned to live with it rather than take the wheel off and explore it further. I'd bet from your description it is the same.

[TX76513]

What Marty said

[Diesel911]

There is a section at this site on Steering System:
http://www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/Service/W123/Index/616index.html