intermittent squeaking in front suspension

[schumi]

As the title says, I have a loud squeaking coming from front suspension of my 300E that comes and goes (sometimes there's no squeaking, and then it will suddenly be really bad). When the squeaking is happening, it is pretty loud and can be heard even with the windows up, it squeaks when the front suspension goes up and down (when driving or while pushing up and down on the front of the car at rest) and also when the wheel is turned side to side (even while car is stationary). I have done some searches and see this could be worn ball joints. Any other ideas to check?

[BigBenzWV]

first of all, do a visual check to see if the rubber boot has broken. If it is, replace it. If you can't see the condition, just push the front of the car down and listen to the squeak. Once you confirm your push will reproduce the squeak, spray the ball joint very heavily with silicone lubricant. Then do the push again. If the squeak goes away, you got your answer.

If it does not, go to the next suspect, spray and push etc. You will find the worn part very quickly.

Front stabilzer bar rubber bushings, (there are 4, 2 right and left, under radiator. and 1 each at right/left wheel axle bodies) when worn will squeak, even though they may look OK! Spray some W-D40 into the inboard right/left(under radiator) rubber bushings and see if it will stop squeaking, if so, there is your squeak.

My 124 squeaked from the drivers side section of the stabilizer bar for about 3 months before it started to drive me crazy! I replaced all 4 of the bushings and no more squeak! BB