I'm a reasonably capable home wrench.......I thought. A few weeks ago, I thought I was going to R&R the steering idler bushing. Without a lot of unnecessary background story, I removed the two giant bushing bolts for the control arm (RH side). That proved to be a real challenge while trying to get it put back together. With a tranny jack and significant pry bar, I finally got the suspension back together. Unfortunately, I now have a very loud and annoying squeek in that location. It's mostly when the wheel is pointed straight. If you push down on the fender, it will squeek enough to scare the chipmunks out of our house foundation. If I grab the lower control arm, you can feel it vibrate such that it seems to be the source for the squeel. All bolts are tight, so I liberally sprayed WD40 everywhere there was a bushing or where something moves. No effect. Any ideas?

90mbenz

After you inserted the two big bolts into the bottom of the control arm, you need to allow the weight of the car to stand on the wheels (or a jack under the control arm) to allow the rubbers to be in their working position; before you tighten the nuts on the two big bolts.

If this is not done the rubber bushes will be strained beyond their normal position and they will complain by yelping.

Regards

Thanks, kth. Looks like I'll have a little project tomorrow am. Will post results.

Also, check the ball joint on the control arm. See if the rubber boot is torn. A worn/dried out ball joint may also be the source of squeaks.

__________________
1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

Ding, ding, ding .......hs!

I'm lucky enough to have a lift, so while the car was suspended, I used a tranny jack under the wheel to move the suspenstion up and down. It was amazing how little movement would produce such a noise. It looks like it's the lower ball joint. In my case, if the car is on the ground and the wheel turned in either direction, there is no squeek. If the wheel is straight ahead, it squeeks like crazy.

Thanks for the suggestions.