A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a slight creaking noise that seemed to be coming from the rear end when I put the car in reverse. The noise is now much louder - it's not screaming loud but still substantial. Any idea what this is? I'm pretty sure it's coming from the rear.
NB: I have one really bad ball joint on the front driver side and one pretty bad ball joint on the front passenger side. I know that this can cause creaking, but it's odd because the noise only happens in reverse and seems to be coming from the rear end.

Another question: I'm going to fix those ball joints (that is, I'm going to find an independent mechanic here in PDX to help me fix them) hopefully sooner rather than later - is there anything else that is worth replacing while doing this job? It's an 83 with 293,000 and not a whole lot of records. I wouldn't be surprised if none of the other front end components (except the front shocks, which were replaced a few months before I bought the car - don't ask me why the guy did the shocks and left the joints in the condition they're in) have ever been replaced (the ball joints are original) - so is it worth it to replace some other stuff while I'm at it? The car actually feels pretty tight while driving but there's a lot of movement in the tires when I shake them and it definitely feels a little loose on the highway.

Thanks

Don`t know what your reverse creaking is.

But take a look at your front end parts. upper control arm bushings where they attach to the body, and the the sway bar bushing where they connect to the control arm. with the car raised, move the front wheels by hand to see any slop in the the rods. or have a friend move the wheels while you see any movement. look for movement in the Idler arm. use a prybar to lift the wheel to see any movement in the Ball Joints upper and lower.

If any of the rubber boots are cracked open, then the joint is compromised with dirt, water and salt etc...

At 293K, and the front end components are the original, then you are ready for replacements.

If you feel or hear some clunking in the floor by your left foot or same on the Passenger side. then it is probably the track rod mounts.

Here is a list of the w123 front end parts.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-parts-reference-library/216147-w123-front-steering-suspension-rebuild-list.html

Charlie

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