w123: Front end creak / groan
 

I had noticed from time to time a mild creaking or groaning from the front end, driver's side, usually at low speed turning into a parking space, since the fall.

The recent extreme cold weather (-13 F) has made it 20x worse. Now it creaks/groans with the slightest movement of the car, all the time. Loudly (can hear it inside the cabin while driving).

I found this thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/153714-w123-front-end-creaking.html

I am trying to get into a shop on the weekend to look at the front end on a hoist.

Given that it's the middle of winter, and I had planned to do a complete front-end rebuild this spring, my question:

I assume it's a balljoint making the noise, probably upper? Am I safe to continue driving, perhaps using the temporary fix Tom describes in that thread (injecting some grease into the balljoint)?

I would need to drive until at least April or May, for the weather to be okay for me to work outside on the front end.

Inspect it to determine the extent of the damage. Unless it is loose, lube them up to stop the noise and slow the deterioration. Replace when it fits your schedule and budget.

When I have had those symptoms, it has usually been the power steering. Usually just topping up fluid fixed the problem.

Have a look at the front sway bar bushings. They can cause creaking noises when the front end flexes. An easy test is to loosen the retaining clip and hose down the bushings with some lube, and tighten everything. Then drive the car. If the noise changes or goes away then you've found the issue. Cold temps could definitely make it get worse as well. The bushings would shrink causing more space and worse rubbing.

Another giveaway is if the noise goes away when it rains. That almost always means it's a deteriorated rubber bushing that's being lubricated by the water.

My similar issue was the lower ball joint failing.

Thanks for all the pointers. Turns out to be a lower balljoint, which got an injection of oil today. Is quiet now, we'll see how long that lasts.