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Creaking noise from suspension

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Jun 4, 2003 | 12:09 PM

MidniteBluBenz

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Toronto, Canada

540 6spd

Creaking noise from suspension

Lately, my car's been making this creaking noise as the suspension travels. I took the car to the dealership and they told me that because I lowered the car I've caused the noise. Then they told me that I need new upper control arms in front, and need more time to diagnose what needs to be done to the rear to cure the noise.

Normally I would believe what they're saying, but this is the same dealership that once blamed a misfire in my engine to my remus exhaust and not the real problem which was a bad seal around the spark plug firing on the 4th cylinder.

Any thoughts on what the real sourse of these creaking noises might be?

Jun 4, 2003 | 02:33 PM

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

they messign with you

creaking noise or clunking noise coming from your front wheels or rear wheels when going over bumps/imperfect roads at high speeds is a symptom i currently have. im riding on stock setup with 60k miles and im pretty sure its bad ball joints.

Jun 4, 2003 | 02:36 PM

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

i did sales for high end audio for 2 years and i'd say the same **** to ppl who tried to modify their amps with non-company recommended tubes. i'd tell them their warranty was void and we'd charge you extra to fix it.

Jun 5, 2003 | 01:08 AM

dumpsta

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From: Toronto

SLK280(Gone), C63, CLK550

I also have a creaking noise from my suspension while going over bumps. There sound comes and goes. Ball joints replaced and the problem is still here

Jun 5, 2003 | 02:33 AM

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

how much did it cost you to replace ball joints

Jun 5, 2003 | 02:34 AM

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

hmm. i read in another thread it may be the front or rear sway bar

Jun 5, 2003 | 04:09 AM

DougandhisC280

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From: Birmingham, Alabama

2008 SLK-280

Both of my Mercedes stopped creaking when I changed out the shocks.

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Jun 6, 2003 | 05:43 PM

merclover

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From: Madrid, Spain

1996 C220 (W202) and E320 (w210)

LOL ..OMG now who gets a customer service like that on a stealership!???!!!! i couldnt even get the dealer to change the front window velvet thingy for free!

Jun 6, 2003 | 05:51 PM

#10

blackmercedes

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Stop the car and push the front end up and down. If it squeaks, then most of the time, it's the lower front ball joints. This is a frequent repair on W202 cars.

Jun 6, 2003 | 07:47 PM

#11

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

tried it

no squeaky

noise is coming from the rear

what could it be? sway bar back there?

Jun 6, 2003 | 11:03 PM

#12

msport3

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From: Concord, NC

1999 C230 Sport Kompressor

Had the same problem on my wife's C240. Dealer replaced the front sway bar.

Jun 7, 2003 | 03:28 AM

#13

dumpsta

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From: Toronto

SLK280(Gone), C63, CLK550

I can hear the creaking noise even when I step out of my car(when the car rises). I believe it comes from the rear.

Jun 7, 2003 | 08:25 AM

#14

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

how does one diagnose if a sway bar is bad

and is there a rear sway?

Jun 7, 2003 | 02:10 PM

#15

msport3

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From: Concord, NC

1999 C230 Sport Kompressor

Correction, the dealer replaced the sway bar bushings, not the sway bar. And yes, the W202 does have a rear sway bar.

Jun 8, 2003 | 04:03 AM

#16

soldsep

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From: Bay Area

87 300 E

check your fender for any signs of rubbing. then come back and tell me if you saw anything. (you need to remove your wheel for this)

Last edited by soldsep; Jun 8, 2003 at 04:06 AM.

Jun 8, 2003 | 04:07 AM

#17

henry47

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asdf

if its a clunking noise, your shocks need to be tightened. sometimes its just chasis stress when going over speed bumps

Jun 8, 2003 | 08:30 AM

#18

Rincewind

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From: Maryland

1998 C230

thanks henry i'll have my mechanic check it out when im in for 60k service, got my car booked this friday

Feb 14, 2014 | 12:27 AM

#19

lisamhos

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Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 3

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From: San Antonio

2006 C230 Sport

2014 issue

I had the creaking noise as well as horrible vibrations when I breaked. (06 c230 sport). I replaced the rotors and put in new ceramic break pads. Issues still there.
Took car in today and pretty much all of my bushings were cracked. Replacing those as it seems to be the culprit for the noise and break vibrations.
Fingers crossed!