Front end steering noise-85 380SE

[Gary Ganaway]

Last year had both upper control arms and stabilizer bushings replaced due to "groan" noise over bumps, driveways , etc. Also at 88K, previous owner has both lower balljoints replaced. Last year I replaced shocks and steering damper. Now I have noise when I turn inot my driveway or turn into parking place. Not loud but typical crunching groan. Could this be tie rods and center link? I have not checked yet but looking for some advice. I figure I can do tie rods and center link myself.

P.S. also when backing out of driveway and apply brakes I get a noise similar.

[mbshop]

i would suspect your thrust arm bushings.
they are the ones that the rod from the lower control
arm mounts to the body. got another name but can't
think of it now.

george

[cdplayer]

You say it's a groan. Not a clunk sound. I had a 1985 300SD with similar problem. If you look into the front wheel weld up to the left you can see the torsion bar with a rubber bushing around it. What I did was to spray a liberal amount of WD40 into the area where the bar and the rubber bushing make contact. I did this on both driver and passneger side. Lifting the hood if you look below the wind shield and behind the engine you can follow the path of the torsion bar across the width of the car. I sprayed anywhere I thought the bar made contact with the car.
At least for me the sound stopped. Sometimes but not often I have to repeat this procedure.
If your sound is a clunk, someone in this forum suggested last night on another question the problem may be worn guide rod mounts.

[Gary Ganaway]

Thanks, I think you are talking about the front stabilizer bar and this has new bushings. So, I too, believe it is either tie rods or the guide rods. Hopefully in the next 2 days I can jack it up and take a look.