w202 steering damper life expectancy?
 

Getting some vibrations in steering wheel and also have a mystery squeak in the innards of the dash or steering column.....can't tell. This only happened in the last couple thousand miles. I've had Bilstein HDs for 8k, with 17 inch wheels. Is this worth digging into or am I barking up the wrong tree? 148k on car.

I have 216000km that's like 135000miles it seems fine but I have this problem:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=181768

I don't know if it's related at all.

My C280's steering damper has been replaced twice(currently with 51k).

The steering damper is underneath the car. I don't think it will squeak. Mine leaked the fluid out so it didn't "damp" anymore. The only effect was the steering felt "lighter". I think it is more for "feel" than anything else but people say it has some other important benefit which I don't buy, at least not on this car. I think it is not the cause of your squeak but if you want to be sure it is pretty easy to remove.

Mike

I believe the steering damper on the w202 is also the same part for some w124s. Very easy take it off and just compress and extend to see if there are any flat spots. Cheap part though, only about $25. We got it good! Equivalent part for a 1990 Lexus LS400 is $120!!!

glenmore 1990 LS400
1991 300CE
2000 C280