Hi everybody,
I just bought a 1984 300TD. It started groaning while turning a few weeks after I bought it, so I topped off the power steering fluid and the problem went away. I've kept my eye on it, and it doesn't seem to be leaking.

However, now when I'm driving the car starts making a loud creaking noise when I turn right. It only happens when the car is moving (no noise if I turn the wheel while the car is stopped). I've checked the wheel wheels to make sure nothing is rubbing, but I'm new to these cars and would love some help diagnosing and fixing this. I've never touched the power steering or suspension on any of these cars, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
dac

Well its hard to guess, but I'd wager its a rubber bushing or a lower ball joint

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

I have same noise on my 85 300SD and have not figured it out yet so if if you do please repost the fix. I was told if it was a lower ball joint it would creak and make noise if you pushed up and down on car while stationary I have tried that and get no noise out of it and the ball joint was replaced a few yrs. ago anyway. Mine to only makes the noise when I am turning to the right moving slowly. It is the same noise you describe like some bushing needs some lube.

On my 190D, it too sounded like I had the pirate ship package preinstalled. Turned out to be ball joints. Man they were bad. I was lucky I didn't die.

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'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it!
'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
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http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/sideview.png

Upper control arms on one of my cars, was squeaking....

This could be anything, from suspension, drive line, SLS to Power steering...

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My best suggestion at this pint would be to get a can of penetrating lube and liberally spray down one joint/bushing at a time and go for a drive after each one. When the squeak disappears you know what you have to replace.

This will destroy every single bushing that you spray. Do NOT use penetrating oil on rubber bushings. You may use silicone spray ONLY.

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'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it!
'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/302601.png
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/sideview.png

Someone lifted the Boots on their Lower Ball Joints and sprayed in WD-40 (as a diagnostic measure) and the groaning went a way.

What I recall is that he did not replace the joints but filled the Boots with Grease.

Of course if you have too much play i the Joints they should be replaced.

When my Car creaked and groaned it turned out one side if the Rear Cross Member under the car had rusted through and cracked.

Time to do some insection.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I had a creaking sound too, the lower ball joint boot was torn.

I sprayed white lithium grease inside until I was able to replace it.

However, mine creaked when any motion was present, as in when I pressed down on the fender.

Perhaps a tie rod end is dry. Inspect all rubber components thoroughly.

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83 SD

84 CD

Thanks for the responses. I took it to a shop today and paid $15 for a quick inspection. Turns out the rear control arm is rusting through. Looks like a whole other can of worms, so I guess time to start another thread to get some advice on this. Thanks for the input.