ajent420

Had an alignment done last week at the stealer (although after an indie got it wrong two times, I don't mind).

The alignment is good, but now I have way more squak from the steering wheel at low speeds. The squak was an every now and then occurance, but now it is way more pronounced and happens almost all the time.

What would cause that form an alignment? They don't do anything (i.e. remove) with the steering wheel for this procedure do they?

dsmith

I doubt it. Get a automotive stethascope and have someone do the turning while you listen. Is it in the column, rack, pump, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc? Should be easy to find.

ajent420

Well, I should say that I can tell it's that all-too-common squak from the wheel when turned at low speeds. I was just curious how an alignment would make that happen more offten than it did already.

dsmith

unpossible, they would only move the tie rods. so, whatever it is, seems to be getting progressively worse. unless you can pinpoint the noise, we can only guess. my guess is a p/s leak or air in the p/s system. or, do you think the noise is inside the cabin?

livetodrive

The steering wheel squeak is a common problem for the W210s. My dealer greased it several times, and the squeak would come back within a few days. Finally I took it to another dealer and they replaced the steering rack. That solved the problem.

ajent420

yeah, it's definitely the problem that needs more grease...it's only at low speeds and sounds like it's coming right from the steering column where your knees hit. Thanks all, I was just wondering if there was something done to the steering column I didn't know about. I didn't think so, but just checking. Hey Livetodrive, did your dealer charge you every time you got greased? And how much was that rack replacment?

livetodrive

All the work was done under the extended warranty, so there was no charge. I don't know what it would have cost.

Quadcammer

steering rack at the dealer is one party you don't want an invitation to.

Its about $2000 for the rack, and labor would probably be about $800.

so basically, get a rebuilt rack for about $400 and have an indy handle the labor.

ProV1

or just turn up the music, save the $$ for a downpayment on the new S63 AMG

Quadcammer

or, stop by the dealer for a $12 bottle of lubrizol, which almost entirely eliminated my squeak.

KADE

Oliverk could you elaborate a little more on the lubrizol.......I too have the steering wheel squeak..but it only seems to be during cold weather.

Quadcammer

Yup, same way with me. When its warm, all is well. Below 40 and its baby seal clubbing time.

Lubrizol is a powersteering lubricant. It comes in a 50ml bottle from the dealer for about $12. You remove 50ml of power steering fluid from your car (actually doing a fluid change at the same time would probably be a good idea). Then you replace the missing fluid with the lubrizol.

Then you have to turn the steering wheel lock to lock about 25 times.

Initially mine was not much better, but after driving with it for about a week, the squeak is greatly reduced. You can still hear it on occasion but its much easier to ignore.

KADE

"Below 40 and its baby seal clubbing time" GOOD ONE But it still didn't completely get rid of the baby seal noise? wonder if we will have to get a new rack eventually to get rid of noise completely?

Quadcammer

well, I only drive the car about 5 miles each way during the week, so the rack doesn't have time to get warmed up and start squeaking.

However, I drove to NYC, and made several rounds through the financial district looking for parking (left/right, left/right, about a thousand times, and mostly at slow speeds) and I didn't hear anything. If it is still there, is so minor that its not worth it for me to pull the rack to fix it.