Need Help: Wagon Front Suspension Sound
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2002 E 320 Wagon
Need Help: Wagon Front Suspension Sound
Hi there-
I have a 2002 E320 Wagon that is making squeaking/creaking noises in the front when going over speed humps and pot holes. My mechanic replaced the front sway bar bushings and the sway bar links. Afterward, the noise got louder but was concentrated on the driver's side instead of both sides. I took it back and he lubricated the new bushings and the sound went away for a day. Now it's back to making its squeaking/creaking noise, mostly on the driver's side but somewhat on the passenger side.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do to get rid of this sound? My mechanic says he hasn't encountered this problem before. Of course he has replaced worn out bushings but that has fixed the problem in previous cases. Mine is being difficult. Any other parts of the suspension that could be causing the problem?
Many thanks in advance for helping me get this solved! The car drives great otherwise and I often drive around without the radio on so I really notice it!
Anne
I have a 2002 E320 Wagon that is making squeaking/creaking noises in the front when going over speed humps and pot holes. My mechanic replaced the front sway bar bushings and the sway bar links. Afterward, the noise got louder but was concentrated on the driver's side instead of both sides. I took it back and he lubricated the new bushings and the sound went away for a day. Now it's back to making its squeaking/creaking noise, mostly on the driver's side but somewhat on the passenger side.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do to get rid of this sound? My mechanic says he hasn't encountered this problem before. Of course he has replaced worn out bushings but that has fixed the problem in previous cases. Mine is being difficult. Any other parts of the suspension that could be causing the problem?
Many thanks in advance for helping me get this solved! The car drives great otherwise and I often drive around without the radio on so I really notice it!
Anne
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2002 E 320 Wagon
Thanks Plutoe! The fact that the bushings were quiet for a day after being lubricated tells me that it's something with those bushings. They are new, OEM. Is there another kind of lubricant that would last longer? Do they ever have a break-in period? I will have him give it the once over again to see if there's anything else that he can find.
Thanks in advance for any more suggestions!
Anne
Thanks in advance for any more suggestions!
Anne
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 301
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1997 E300D
If you can make it squeak while bouncing it in your driveway, reach across the front tire and put your hand on the upper ball joint to feel for vibration when it squeaks. The upper ball joint on this car can squeak when the grease drys up.
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2002 E 320 Wagon
To Plutoe
Plutoe-
Hmm. I have used this mechanic for years and he has always been great. However, he is not young and has seemed a bit forgetful in our conversations. I wasn't sure if it was due to being overworked or aging. I don't want to jump to conclusions, because he has always been very straight with me about all repairs and always recommends waiting to fix something that is not urgent in order to be conservative. No up-selling like at a dealer.
When I say that he lubricated the bushings, I may not have been correct. From our conversation, I know that he definitely lubricated something so it may not have been the bushing. Do you think I should take it back to him or seek out another opinion? Do you think the car is safe to drive? I have an 8.5 hour drive to make this weekend!
Thanks in advance!
Anne
Hmm. I have used this mechanic for years and he has always been great. However, he is not young and has seemed a bit forgetful in our conversations. I wasn't sure if it was due to being overworked or aging. I don't want to jump to conclusions, because he has always been very straight with me about all repairs and always recommends waiting to fix something that is not urgent in order to be conservative. No up-selling like at a dealer.
When I say that he lubricated the bushings, I may not have been correct. From our conversation, I know that he definitely lubricated something so it may not have been the bushing. Do you think I should take it back to him or seek out another opinion? Do you think the car is safe to drive? I have an 8.5 hour drive to make this weekend!
Thanks in advance!
Anne
I think that someone is trying to snow you
There are no lubrication points on the links or bushings.
In fact if your sway bar was twisted, that much, to cause a squeek in the bushing---you have a huge or much greater problem
There is no brake in period!!
Hopefully the shop provides alignments with a good operator,because that person will find the issue!
There are no lubrication points on the links or bushings.
In fact if your sway bar was twisted, that much, to cause a squeek in the bushing---you have a huge or much greater problem
There is no brake in period!!
Hopefully the shop provides alignments with a good operator,because that person will find the issue!
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2002 E 320 Wagon
To Nelbur
Nelbur-
Thanks for the suggestion! When the problem first started, I could get it to squeak when I bounced on it but it's harder to make squeak now after the new swaybar and bushings. I'll see if I can reach the upper ball joint. May need to google for a schematic as I"m not that familiar with the underside of this car.
Thanks!
Anne
Thanks for the suggestion! When the problem first started, I could get it to squeak when I bounced on it but it's harder to make squeak now after the new swaybar and bushings. I'll see if I can reach the upper ball joint. May need to google for a schematic as I"m not that familiar with the underside of this car.
Thanks!
Anne
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E320 4Matic
To Anne
Hi Anne,
Were you ever able to determine what caused that noise and how to get rid of it? I just bought a 2002 E320 Sedan and have a similar or the sam problem on the passenger side up front.
Thanks,
Peter
Were you ever able to determine what caused that noise and how to get rid of it? I just bought a 2002 E320 Sedan and have a similar or the sam problem on the passenger side up front.
Thanks,
Peter
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2002 E 320 Wagon
Peter-
Unfortunately I was not! I took the car this summer to a mechanic my family has used for decades. The guy does all makes and models so he's pretty versatile. He took it apart again and lubricated what needed to be lubricated. It was quiet for one day and then the squeak/creak came back.
Despite being lubricated multiple times, something (I'm thinking friction) is causing the lubrication to wear off on this one side. The way my mechanic explained it to me is that something over time has changed about the frame. May be too many pot holes on one side. That change has led to the parts rubbing away the lubricant and causing the sounds. This is obviously a lay person's interpretation and I haven't actually seen what the parts look like but it seems to make sense to me.
I've just gotten used to the sound and hopefully when I sell it the next person won't mind the sound!
Please let me know if you come up with a solution!!
Anne
Unfortunately I was not! I took the car this summer to a mechanic my family has used for decades. The guy does all makes and models so he's pretty versatile. He took it apart again and lubricated what needed to be lubricated. It was quiet for one day and then the squeak/creak came back.
Despite being lubricated multiple times, something (I'm thinking friction) is causing the lubrication to wear off on this one side. The way my mechanic explained it to me is that something over time has changed about the frame. May be too many pot holes on one side. That change has led to the parts rubbing away the lubricant and causing the sounds. This is obviously a lay person's interpretation and I haven't actually seen what the parts look like but it seems to make sense to me.
I've just gotten used to the sound and hopefully when I sell it the next person won't mind the sound!
Please let me know if you come up with a solution!!
Anne
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 301
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1997 E300D
Peter-
Unfortunately I was not! I took the car this summer to a mechanic my family has used for decades. The guy does all makes and models so he's pretty versatile. He took it apart again and lubricated what needed to be lubricated. It was quiet for one day and then the squeak/creak came back.
Unfortunately I was not! I took the car this summer to a mechanic my family has used for decades. The guy does all makes and models so he's pretty versatile. He took it apart again and lubricated what needed to be lubricated. It was quiet for one day and then the squeak/creak came back.
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2002 E 320 Wagon
I think that means that the problem is something other than what he lubricated. I would suggest that you have someone check the ball joints while someone else bounces the car enough to make it squeak. Ball joints are not designed to be lubricated, but they run out of sealed in lube after a while and can squeak. If they are ignored they wear out and cause tire wear and in some cases become a safety concern. Any half decent mechanic can locate a squeak using a stethoscope, if it can be made to squeak while it is standing still.
I'm sure you're right. It needs an oil change and I'm going to try out a different Mercedes specialist to see if they can fix it. I think what was misleading to the two previous mechanics was that the sound went away after they lubricated the bushings. That led them to believe that their fix worked. It's hard for me to part with my car so I'm not always rushing back to have them continue troubleshooting! I definitely want someone to take a fresh look at the problem. I won't get book value for it with that sound so it's worth it to me to fix it!
Thanks for your insight!
Anne
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Joined: Jan 2010
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1997 E300D
I just helped a neighbor find a squeak in his w211 Mercedes. It would only squeak after he had driven a few miles. It turned out to be his lower ball joint. I don't know for sure why it needed a few miles to squeak, but maybe it needed to warm up a bit, or perhaps there was enough lube after standing a while to keep the squeak at bay for a few miles. Most mechanics would replace a squeaking ball joint. In his case, we determined that it was not noticeably worn, and he used a grease needle to pump it full of grease again. It was only a few months ago, but everything is fine now. Squeaks are an alert that something needs attention and should not be ignored.
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From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
Unfortunately, he is not. These cars typically sell for thousands less than what Kelly pegs their value at. For instance, an 02 4Matic wagon with less than 100,000 miles KBB values in good condition at around $8,200. If you get $6,500-$6,800 for it you are doing really good. It is a shame really, but this is the reality.
