Hi,

Lately when I hit the brakes (sometimes), especially when I am not going very fast, there will be quite a loud groan type sound from the front of the car. The pads and rotors are fairly new. I did a search and didn't come up with much. What type of inspections should I do to track this down?

Thanks

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Think it might be the ABS malfunctioning? It groans in action if memory is correct

I would assume there would be a light if it were, but you never know

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

Could ball joints make this type of noise?

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1989 300E 144K

Ball joints are my guess but it is a pure guess. Can anyone advise the best (fastest easiest) way to inspect the ball joints? Is it more likely the lower joints than the upper?

Thanks

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

When my ball joints and lower control arms were done, the issue wasn't a groan, but rather it sounded like sitting on a worn-out mattress when going over low-speed bumps, not noticeable during braking - kind-of a squeak, not a groan.

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

I had the squeak when going over speed bumps a while ago but it was the sway bar bushings. This noise is new. It is not the ABS. It actually seems to occur more the slower I am going. I think ball joints is a decent guess except I have no other symptoms. Other than the occaisional noise everything is fine. And I did a search so I think I can inspect the joints now.

So my new question is:

If I do have to change the ball joints, do I really have to remove the hub and bearings?

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra