95 S320 suspension sounds - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

amosfella · #1 03-12-2008, 03:52 PM

When this car is driven at low speeds, or I lift up, or push down on the front, there is a creaking sound that I can't find. I have squirted silicone and teflon into every bushing and moving part, and can't seem to find the problem. It still makes the same noise. Does any one have any ideas as to things to check, or things to make it stop??
Thanks

pcmaher · #2 03-14-2008, 08:38 AM

I had a similar problem with one of my rear struts. It sounded like an old creaky wooden ship in a pirate movie. I finally determined that it was the strut. Hold the strut tightly, and have someone push down on the car. Feel for the noise inside the strut...if it is the strut you will feel the vibration in the strut.

amosfella · #3 05-24-2008, 06:30 PM

I know it's not a problem with the strut (if you mean shock absorber by strut). I took the shocks off and set the car back down on it's wheels. It still has the same creaking sound. I also replaced the front sway bar bushings. Any other suggestions?? Any chance it could be the springs?? When I hold the spring, I feel a vibration when the car is slowly being pushed down. I'm wondering if that isn't my problem and how to test for that??

bobs · #4 05-24-2008, 08:22 PM

Take a look at your lower ball joints.

amosfella · #5 07-02-2008, 03:39 PM

I had a look at the ball joints. When I grab the tire and turn it back and forth, it makes the same sounds. Is that a sign the ball joints are going?? Is it hard to replace them yourself, or should I take that job to a shop??

Victor300E · #6 07-03-2008, 01:32 PM

I had noise coming out ball joint in my old w124 before I replaced it. On w140 I just replaced them as part of suspension rebuild. I too wonder if the spring can cause screeching noise and how to test the spring.

Good luck

amosfella · #7 07-03-2008, 03:04 PM

I took the spring out, and lifted and bounced the axle. I then twisted the the spindle, and it made some sound, but not the old pirate ship craking sound. I have a spring compressor to do that with.
What about aligning the wheels?? is there any way to get it close so I could get it to the shop to have it aligned?? When I turn on the axle by hand, there is a small amount of play before the tie rod shaft starts to move. When I turn the tire by hand when the car is on jacks, there is a little bit of sound.
I was wondering as Az ******** has the complete tie rod assembly available for $72 a side for Lemf. They also have a Karlyn. Any advice as to which is better??
Sorry if the post is a bit disjointed, I"m really tired right now.

amosfella · #8 07-08-2008, 03:44 AM

bump

amosfella · #9 10-03-2008, 11:32 AM

I was thinking about buying a full suspension rebuild kit here from ebay. How hard would that job be to do??
Here is the link for the kit.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Mercedes-W140-S420-S320-S500-S350-Control-Arm-Arms-Kit_W0QQitemZ140272234361QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33583QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
any thoughts??

hey_allen · #10 10-05-2008, 03:56 AM

I'm not familiar with your model, but as long as you can install the ball joints (they don't require any tools that you don't have, or can't get ahold of), it's not too hard to do most suspension work.

Measure the length of tie rods before you pull ends, install the new ends to the same length and you'll be close enough to get it to an alignment shop.

Most of the hazard of suspension work is getting attacked by the spring, or flattened by the car itself due to poor safety practices. Take your time, think smart, and save yourself shop fees!

I can't view the link you posted, but depending on the maker of the parts, you might be better off buying the parts here, or through one of the other reputable online MB parts vendors.

Happy wrenching!

amosfella · #11 10-06-2008, 10:58 PM

I sent a question about the part brand. Here is the response:
They are made by Hamburg Technic of Germany.
Tremendous Parts, as good as Original.

Buy it now & its on its way to you in the morning.

Best,

Team DP USA

On a scale of 1-5 how difficult would it be??
I have a spring compressor, and the ball points are already installed on a complete tie rod assembly.

hey_allen · #12 10-07-2008, 04:40 AM

From the looks of it, yours is simpler than mine (by a good measure...)

If you feel reasonably capable, I don't see any reason not to dig in on this. Just make sure you get things tight, and get an alignment afterward.

The reason I mentioned the ball joints is that on the w126 model cars, the lower joint requires a special tool that even the local dealers don't have any more. After a bit of digging, I found one indy that still had the tool to press the ball into the spindle.
Looking at a parts diagram for your model, it looks like your lower ball joint bolts in place, rather than pressing in, so that's not a major concern.

The only thing that I've found to be difficult in suspension work is that sometimes the parts are well and truly stuck together from all the years of crud building up on and between them, and may require a bit of persuasion to come apart. (1/2" drive wrench and an extension did wonders a couple of times, when my 300SD was getting work done on it!)

All in all, have fun, and happy wrenching!

amosfella · #13 03-21-2009, 11:00 PM

well, you guys were right, it was the ball joints. For some reason, I thought that the tie rod ends were the ball joints.... Live and learn I guess. Is a ball joint press necessary for this model, or is it just a luxury. Could I use a small 2 or 3 jaw bearing puller?? I have several of those around....

amosfella · #14 03-24-2009, 01:48 PM

bump...

amosfella · #15 03-26-2009, 11:44 AM

Bump#2