I have a distinct creak in the rear suspension, driver's side, like bouncing on a mattress. Just replace the shock, so that's not it.

I've been under and pushed on all the multi-link, but haven't found any play. I've bought the multi-link kit, but that's a job for another day.

Other thoughts:
1) Subframe bushings?
2) Spring rubber mount?

Any thoughts on how to test for what is creaking? Its easy to replicate, but I can't find a way to have it make the noise when the car is jacked up.

190D 73k miles


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W201 1989 190D

What do you mean by the multi-link?

My first thought is sway bar links.

Mercedes W123 Sway Bar Link Replacement - iFixit

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Sorry, should have been more clear - by multi link i meant the 5 members in the multi link rear suspensionl

You have a rubber bushing in board on the spring link (the elongated dish part that holds the spring at the bottom); on the wheel bearing housing (also called carrier) there's a little bushing that has a ball joint type bearings.

Those two are (at a guess) quite likely to be noisy areas if it isn't the shocks.

There are also rubber ends to each of the struts - except for one end of the camber strut that also has a little ball joint.

Essentially the process is to systematically spray each joint in turn with light machine oil / WD40 and then bounce the car up and down to see if it was that.

If you want pictures of the parts I've put loads of them in this thread =>

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/341121-achtung-das-schweinhund-baby-benz-thread-21.html

Rear suspension refurbishment kind of starts on page 21 but it still isn't done yet...

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

The 124 is similar. BTDT.

It could be any of the multitude of rubber to metal interfaces in the rear suspension.

Dropping the rear subframe and rebuilding everything was expensive and took 6 months but the car drives like new now.

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Alright, that's a good start on a method - will get out the WD40. Might be a better idea to use silicone spray instead, actually, because that won't dry out the rubber.

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W201 1989 190D

Silicone spray is the fruit of the devil!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I can't tell if that's intended as positive or negative?

My understanding was that WD40 can deteriorate rubber, so silicone would be a better choice.

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W201 1989 190D

Sorry not to be 100% clear on this - I'm a bit old school; the devil is not good...

I don't think rubber deterioration is too too much of a concern on parts that hold grease in place. Particularly when we're talking about spraying into ball joint (or ball joint type) boots then I'd be using an oil for leak detection.

I have had a negative experience with silicone sprays the stuff seems to dry things out more than real oil. Particularly in locks. You might also be surprised to learn that most silicone sprays are oil based anyway...

...to avoid the possibility of oil damage to solid (non grease bearing) bushes I use KJ jelly when fitting them but I know this lubricant won't penetrate for squeak detection.

For door seals silicone is also the kiss of death in my experience. I was overjoyed when I found I could get aerospace303 over here...

...oh happy days...

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Fair enough, WD40 it is, and I'll learn to watch out for the devil's fruit...

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W201 1989 190D