Hello, I have a 1986 190E 2.3. I have been highly annoyed by a creaking noise that is coming from my passenger rear shock, spring, or wheel. (Don't know which) Anyway, I had been advised to go in the trunk, peal back the carpet and I will find a bolt that goes to the rear shock. I tightened the bolt but the noise will not go away. Well, I did this and noticed that when I wrench the nut on the bolt, the whole bolt and nut go around and around. I can't tighten it because it might but stripped, but, the drivers rear does not make the noise and the nut and bolt do the same thing when wrenched. This problem may seem confusing but it is making me nuts. Could anyone tell me what is the problem? I am installing H&R springs this week so I'm hoping that is the problem so when have them installed, the noise will go away. I have Bilstein shocks, but they are OE I think, not the yellow sport shocks. Again, the noise seems to be coming from the spring but I'm just not sure, also, I have lubricated everything I can find and that has not worked. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSES! Scott slchaffin@ou.edu

'Don't know if your car has rear sway bar links like my 81 300D, but it very well may have,or something similar. I've noticed something in rear suspension area of my car squeaking, knocking and rattling since I bought it from friend about two months ago. It has been about to run me out of my mind, especially 'til about 10 days ago when found out what is causing it. Ends of sway bar links are badly worn and loose. Sway bar links are about Z-shaped bars about 4 to 5 inches long standing vertically immediately inside of each rear wheel. Flat bar forms middle of Z; bolts on each end form top and bottom of Z. Replacing my sway bar links, rear shocks and steering gear box tomorrow. 'Can hardly wait to get rid of that squeaking, rattling noise!!!

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

Dear wilton,
Hello. Will you let us know how your ride is after replacing sway bar and shocks? It would be very helpful , I think. Thank you.

Barabbus, et al,

BTW, if you're trying to tighten top of the shock, you have to hold top of the "bolt" securely in order to turn the nut on the "bolt" - if you don't hold the "bolt", all of it turns together. 'Thought my shocks may be loose, too, but it's the sway bar links. Planning to drive mine on 100 mi round trip tomorrow night if it's ready - I'll let you know how it feels and sounds without the squeaking, rattling, etc.

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

Just picked up 300D after having rear sway bar links (not sway bar), shocks (Bilsteins) and steering gear box replaced. Fantastic difference!! No more squeaking and rattling in rear! Steering is easy, firm and precise!! Ride is smooth and quiet! Now it drives and rides like a Mercedes should!!

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

hello Wilton. i am happy to hear that your problem went away. What was the cause of it? Was it the rear sway bar link or was it the shock or combination of both?? Pleae give us some more info. Thanks.
PS> did you have to tighten the sway bar link or did you replace it with new one?

So where can I buy these sway bar links? How much do they cost and how hard are they to install? Thanks alot, Scott

Just returned from trip to Raleigh & and back (100 mi) on 300D. Today, this car regained its MB driving and riding qualities!! The squeaking, rattling and banging noises were from the worn sway bar links immediately inside of each rear wheel. Overall improvement in ride is likely due to installation of new Bilsein shock absorbers. Drastic improvement in driving is mainly due to replacement of steering gear box with rebuilt unit. I purchased the sway bar links from Rusty Cullens (<$6 ea.) I would certainly think PartsShop has them, too. IMPCO also has them. I think they are reasonably easy to change. I did not change them myself, because I was getting the steering gear box changed by pro. alignment/suspension guys, & it was very easy, convenient and economical to let them change the links and the shocks, too - $95 labor for all of it.

Wife drove the car back from Raleigh; I think she was well-impressed, too. First time she has driven the 300D; she usually drives the 91 350SDL, which replaced 80 240D totaled almost 5 years ago. The 300D does not drive and ride nearly as good as the 126, but I am well-pleased with it now.

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D