Noise while steering.
 

My '86 300E makes "groaning/squeeking" noise when I turn the wheel for a left or right turn. It sounds like it's coming from inside the steering column, or is it being transmitted via the steering linkage? I noticed all the ball/bushing points on the steering linkage do not have any zerks for greasing. With 134K miles, is it time to replace them or should I be looking elsewhere? Thanx.

It wouldn’t be a shortage of power steering fluid would it? Not a very technical explanation but a suggestion none the less.

Could be very worn idler bushings as well.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
81 300SD

My 190E does this for the first 10 seconds after startup, then it stops.. I haven't got round to looking at it yet

later

Russ

I agree with Sixto - mine did the same.
replaced the Idler Arm Bushings and noise went away pronto.

Turning Noise
 

Frank,
If your 300E has ASD there is a turning angle sensor in your steering column that could be worn. Isolating where the noise originates is key. Can someone outside the car hear it? Does it occur in reverse as well as forward? Just a few random ideas for a problem that needs further diagnosis.
Best,
Hazen Arnold
91 300TE 4Matic (some squeaking from the sensor)
93k mi.