My 85sd has a terrible sqeek in front passenger side Spring. I’ve sprayed and sprayed still won’t go away.
Could it be the Pad? I’m thinking about dropping the spring to see.

What do you think? Could a bad pad be the source?
As always I appreciate your help.
greazer2b

I would not suspect the pad.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I would suspect the Front Bearing Mount before the spring. Since it's connected to the Guide Rod, which attaches at the bottom of the spring, it may be transmitting the sound.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Most cars place the lower portion of the spring directly on the lower control arm. Have a close look for the tail of the spring being broken / rock stuck under the spring. What did you spray the spring with? WD-40 is a miserable lubricant.

Have a close look at the ball joints, these can rust and squeak. In severe case, the steering will be jumpy as you drive the car.

Using my trusty stethoscope acquired for about $12 from northern tool, I can usually find stuff like this right away

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DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

Update: Had to wait until Sat to get back in the garage. Walked over to the car and pumped it up and down and the squeek persists. Put the car on jacks and crawled under there and began checking the guide rod mounts seem OK.
Then turned my attention as suggested to ball joints and YEP got a bad tie rod, so popped it of then began the struggle to install the new Lemforeders man what a misserable undertaking. After a couple hours I decided to order a new assembly just isn’t worth the hassle. BTW the joints are original near as I can tell they both had the Star.
Will post update later.

Thanks again to all for sharing your experience/suggestions with these wonderful cars.
greazer2b

Tie rods are not the ball joints you should be checking. If you're just bumping the car up and down and it's squeaking, you need to be looking at the main ball joints on the steering knuckle where they attach to the drop arm. If the tie rods are OEM, the ball joints probably are too. When they go, they make a heck of a racket.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Sure it’s not a shock?

I had my 81 240d up on stands for a few months, and when I put it back down, I get a squeak that I attribute to the shock, when I bounce the car...

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)