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Firstly thank you to the MB world community as I have been enjoying driving my 190e now that it is warm and have confidence in it as a daily. Though I've learned we are never done!!
Recently I started to hear a constant creaking as I go down the road coming from somewhere in the rear suspension. The creaking can be recreated pushing down on either side of the trunk. I think both sides are generating equal noise. A bit embarrassing but being such an old car I accept it for now.
is there a particular link in the rear more prone than others to creating this type of noise? I am considering the full rear link kit from fcp euro and just refreshing everything. How difficult is this in your experience? Should be easier than replacing the front suspension components though there are more of them right?
Last edited by BetterDaze; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:46 PM.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Hi Betterdaze, I do not have the creaking sounds in mine yet and all links are original. They are probably due for a refresh though.
Make sure the creaking is not from the shock absorbers or the control arm. I'm guessing it is less likely to come from control arms but possible.
My first inclination would also be that the shock absorbers are the likely culprits. They should always be replaced in pairs so since you have the creaking sound on both sides, I would start with replacing the shocks first. Then see how the car behaves with the new shocks. If there's no more creaking then the problem is solved. If the car still creaks, then further investigation will be needed.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Sounds like struts to me but you never know. If they are original's they are most likely blown. Seems you can push it down with ease. Mine is hard to push down. I have the reverse. Bilsten HD's in front, Sacs in the back. I do not see a problem with my set-up.
Are you going to go for regular bilstein's or the sports/HD's?
Might be interesting to know if it makes the same sounds if the rear is loaded before you bounce it. You can also put the car on jack stands an try to jack up one wheel at a time and listed more closely.
Less likely to be the links in my opinion. But would like to know what you find out.
Last edited by dolucasi; Apr 16, 2023 at 10:26 PM.
Reason: typo
I'm in agreement with Dolucassi that the struts are the likely culprit. It might be wise to get your car up on a lift so that you can do a thorough ispection. There you can also check the condition of the bushings to see what kind of shape they're in.
Haha, funny description of Grandma's chair. Don't be embarrassed mate! Stuff happens.
I'll tell you one thing: from the video you posted the thing looks nice and clean!
GL on the fix and enjoy the ride.
My first guess is that it is the rear spindle bushings. The bushing that connects the lower control arm to the spindle. Get a stethoscope while someone pushes down on the trunk. Second guess is the sway bar bushing or stabilizer link. 124 320 02 89.
Lots of rubber in the rear- that's why they run so smooth. Lets us know what you find.
You might just try spraying some rubber safe lubricant (silcone, WD-4O?) on all of the rubber bushings and see if that stops the squeek. It might be something that simple.
Sorry for the late reply busy weekend and we got hit with some rain so I didn’t bother with the car too much.
Looking just over the rear tires the boots on the rear shocks look compressed and are starting to split so I ordered a new set with some other parts I needed. They are definitely sagging and for sure the originals
once I get it set up to install I will then lubricate all the joints I can and report back.
I really hope it is not the control arm to hub bushing, seems like the most work having to compress remove spring and even the brake shields??
Sorry for the late reply busy weekend and we got hit with some rain so I didn’t bother with the car too much.
Looking just over the rear tires the boots on the rear shocks look compressed and are starting to split so I ordered a new set with some other parts I needed. They are definitely sagging and for sure the originals
once I get it set up to install I will then lubricate all the joints I can and report back.
I really hope it is not the control arm to hub bushing, seems like the most work having to compress remove spring and even the brake shields??
Given the age of your car, I would highly recommend replacing all of the rubber because rubber doesn't last forever. I went through it last year with my car.
(Edited)I plan to replace everything but have to wait to get access to the appropriate spring compressor and ideally a lift. I’m replacing the parts that don’t require one first starting with struts and then the rear link kit.
My front suspension is mostly done so far apart from the control arm bushings and ball joints(compressor jobs)
I’m fairly confident it is the struts now though. With car on ground, I grabbed the struts and wiggled them side to side, up/down, felt a bit loose and I created the noise without pushing down on the trunk at all this way.
Last edited by BetterDaze; Apr 20, 2023 at 10:14 AM.
New rear struts installed and the handling is tremendously better!! But we still have some creaking while car is in motion, it is silent when doing the push down test. I got a good look at my links and certainly need to replace them all, that will be my next project.
The noise culprit seems to be what I think is the anti roll link, it’s the only one positioned vertically.
Last edited by BetterDaze; May 6, 2023 at 11:55 PM.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Good to hear about the rear shocks. The anti roll link indeed has some rubber bushing in it. So the rubber could be toast. But all the other links also have rubber bushings and could give you trouble.
Thanks dolucasi. Should have better framed my question, I wanted to clarify if the one vertical link is indeed the anti roll/stabilizer link(now I know it is), because it doesn’t seem to be included in the kit or considered part of the “5-link system” and I’ll need it too. I think i have one already in storage somewhere
Last edited by BetterDaze; May 7, 2023 at 06:11 PM.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
The roll bar link is not part of the kits normally. It is a separate item. It is a plastic part in the W201. And yes it is the vertical one connecting the relatively thin stabilizer bar.
They are easy to take off. You can take one off and see if the noise goes away. Although they are stressed in aggressive driving they are not detrimental during easy driving from what I know.
Also by the design they should not move when both sides are bounced as it is an anti roll bar. They will get stressed when only one side bounces up/down. Another way to diagnose is if you bounce the car from the center of the trunk (if you can with the new struts) and they do not make a noise they are probably fine.
You can take Laura's advise and spray some lubricating material on the bushings as well to see what happens.
Given that your car is now more than 30 years old, I would highly recommend that you change all of your rubber bushings. Rubber will crack and deteriorate as it ages. That's likely the creaking you're still hearing. Spraying lubricant on the rubber bushings won't be enough to overcome cracked, deteriorating rubber. I had to change out all of the rubber bushings on my car last year due to cracking and deterioration of the rubber.
Thanks 190efan that is still the plan, I just wanted to make sure I ID’d all the rear links and bushings so I don’t have to pay multiple shipping fees. Are there any bushings you recall replacing that I might be overlooking?
Pushing down center of the trunk generates no noise but if I rock the car diagonally and slightly to the side while lifting/pushing down the noise is heard. At the same time I do this from underneath the car I can feel
vibration in the right side control arm bolt towards center of the car.
I put some fluid film on the front and back of the control arm bolts and it seems to have quieted down but didn’t have time to sound check on the road.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
I suspect your roll bar links are not the culprit Betterdaze. Most likely one or more of the others. The fluid just helps to identify the culprit. Certainly a diagnostic tool and not a permanent solution.
Hopefully the suspension links will quiet things down back there.
For sure dolucasi, after actually getting under the car to listen I think I isolated the sound to the inner control arm bushing but at the same time I understand it could be one or multiple bushings creating noise.
Beauty in the old car is that everything needs to be refreshed so I’m going to throw parts at it in order of ease of installation (struts,5-links,control arm bushings). I appreciate everyone’s time and will provide an update in a couple weeks hopefully
My parts have shipped! I am looking for MB spring compressor tools online and ecstuning has one for about 100 bucks but says front use only. Why is that and Can you recommend one?
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Do they have 4 plates or just 2. Front and rear plates are different size (because the springs are of different size.
I bought the schwaben one, not sure where from. I chose them because it is a name brand even though the reviews were not the best.
At least if it fails and I survive it, I have some name to go after.
Did not want to buy a no name one. Schwaben one was about $100 as well.
I have not used it yet but some of the comments said "before you use it make sure you grease the threads for longevity, it does not come greased enough"
Their picture shows 4 plates but there a foot note for the w201(front only). I have a retired MB mechanic to help me but need the appropriate compressor to do my front ball joints and rear control arm bushings.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Betterdaze, the only compressor ECStuning sells for these cars is the schwaben one I mentioned. It is for both front and rear. It says for the 211 (not the 201) that it is for front front only. It is actually both for front and rear.
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