Suspension squeaking
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Suspension squeaking
Recently Ive been having the infamous squeaking from my rear suspension everytime I go over a bump or even a slight imperfection on the road. Kinda embarassing when you can hear the sound from blocks away 
Ive sprayed high temperature, water resistant white grease around/into the bushings and while it reduces the sound a bit, it invariably comes back in a couple of weeks.
I took my car to an indy and he suggested changing the end link bushings on the sway bars and the entire linkage (swaybar to suspension piece) and then troubleshoot further if the noise doesnt go away. What do you guys think of that idea?>
Also, I know a place close by where I can rent a lift and work on the car myself. Are changing these bushings/linkage a diy job? Any DIY's written up?
Thanks guys.
Ive sprayed high temperature, water resistant white grease around/into the bushings and while it reduces the sound a bit, it invariably comes back in a couple of weeks.
I took my car to an indy and he suggested changing the end link bushings on the sway bars and the entire linkage (swaybar to suspension piece) and then troubleshoot further if the noise doesnt go away. What do you guys think of that idea?>
Also, I know a place close by where I can rent a lift and work on the car myself. Are changing these bushings/linkage a diy job? Any DIY's written up?
Thanks guys.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
PM - TruTaing - He has considerable experience at shutting up squeaky rear suspension.
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/34586-trutaing.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/34586-trutaing.html
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
PM - TruTaing - He has considerable experience at shutting up squeaky rear suspension.
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/34586-trutaing.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/34586-trutaing.html
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 22
From: Seattle
w203 m112
By experience, Glyn means headaches....
There are only a few items you need to check, but its pretty straight forward for testing.
These are the steps I would take to deal w/ rear suspension noises for the most bang for the buck:
Test Sway bar end links - test these first by spraying them w/ silicone lubricant and driving around. If the sound goes away, replace these. Replacing these end links is kinda difficult because it requires a special MB tool that is a 12 sided star. Maybe someone can post the part number on this tool.
If the sound continues:
Test sway bar bushings - Remove the rear sway bar bushings (actually really easy - its only 4 long screws) and add lots of water resistant silicone grease. Drive around and see if the noises are gone. If the noise disappears you may consider buying new sway bar bushings, but I have found that lots of water resistant silcone grease has done the trick through 2 seasons already.
If the sound continues to presist:
Replace lower control arm (or just the bushings). This is the worste case scenario because you just need more tools to replace the arm OR the bushings. I would suggest just replacing the whole arm (it comes w/ new bushings) because there are actually two on each side that could potentially make noises.
Pretty sure the noise will go away if you check all three of these items.
Good luck.
There are only a few items you need to check, but its pretty straight forward for testing.
These are the steps I would take to deal w/ rear suspension noises for the most bang for the buck:
Test Sway bar end links - test these first by spraying them w/ silicone lubricant and driving around. If the sound goes away, replace these. Replacing these end links is kinda difficult because it requires a special MB tool that is a 12 sided star. Maybe someone can post the part number on this tool.
If the sound continues:
Test sway bar bushings - Remove the rear sway bar bushings (actually really easy - its only 4 long screws) and add lots of water resistant silicone grease. Drive around and see if the noises are gone. If the noise disappears you may consider buying new sway bar bushings, but I have found that lots of water resistant silcone grease has done the trick through 2 seasons already.
If the sound continues to presist:
Replace lower control arm (or just the bushings). This is the worste case scenario because you just need more tools to replace the arm OR the bushings. I would suggest just replacing the whole arm (it comes w/ new bushings) because there are actually two on each side that could potentially make noises.
Pretty sure the noise will go away if you check all three of these items.
Good luck.
Last edited by TruTaing; May 31, 2010 at 02:54 AM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...03-thread.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-happened.html
You will find Rear links, subframe, suspension & wheelbearing, & torsion bar diagrams that I've posted in these threads.
Thanks Tru!!
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; May 31, 2010 at 09:28 AM.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Im going to try what TruTaing suggested.
This is such a ridiculously small job...but can be soooo annoying if not fixed.
Any DIY's posted somewhere for the endlink/swaybar bushing replacement?
Thanks guys.
This is such a ridiculously small job...but can be soooo annoying if not fixed.
Any DIY's posted somewhere for the endlink/swaybar bushing replacement?
Thanks guys.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: morgantown, wv
c320 4matic
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...sway-bars.html
that shows how to change the entire sway bar, so that should help if you have to change the bushing
that shows how to change the entire sway bar, so that should help if you have to change the bushing
