2004wagon500

My MB is 2004 E500 station wagon with 67K. A few months ago, on a cold day, I started having creaking in the car, at low speed, when going over uneven, but not rough roads(like driveway entrances, speed bumps). It does seem to be related to some flexing of the car. It is worse when it's cold, but doesn't go away completely. My garage has tested suspension components but can't recreate it in the shop and my car doesn't co-operate when the mechanic goes for a ride in it. Any suggestions on what might be happening or how to get to the bottom of this? I can tolerate the noise but want to be sure that car is sound.

SmashF15C

I have similar symptoms...seems only when front suspension travels, at temps at/below freezing. I'm thinking Sway bushings...I've also heard the top of the Airmatic springs may have a rubber piece that squeaks?

Hopefully someone can narrow it down. I may take apart the sway bushings this weekend, I'll report back.

Smash

ap10046

Anti-roll bar/sway bar bushings.
Had the same noise for years..changed every single suspension component before we figured out what it was!

SmashF15C

Sweet! Looks easy to remove, I'll do it tomorrow and post back.

Smash

2004wagon500

Sounds great. I'm not able to do these kind of repairs myself but I will ask my mechanic to look at the bushings next week. I'll report back. By the way, I'll print off your replies so he gets and expert start. Thanks much!

2004wagon500

Thanks, Smash.
I was wondering if you were able to replace the sway bar bushings and how it went.
Thanks, 2004wagon500

SmashF15C

Yes, I got up under it last night. I can't say I can give you a complete yes or no, I probably need to drive it some - it's not a daily driver for me. I have a drive planned for Friday, it will be -1 C, so after a few miles, let me write you back again.

But, I will say that the sway bushings, which at first glance seem easy to get at, are not so simple. As you see, someone wrote here that it was his sway bushings that caused the issue, but I wonder if it's the chassis or the hub bushings? I think it's the chassis ones, only a guess. Anyway, to release the sway bar from the chassis bushings, it appears that both wheels need to be off and the hub connection removed. Then, the A-arms need to be lowered down approx 45 degrees - unsure if this can be done with the lower ball joint still connected, but probably. Then, the sway bushing housings can be unbolted from the chassis with 2x 10mm torx each side, the sway bar moves forward and down, and finally you can get at the chassis sway bushings themselves.

So no, I didn't do all that! I stuck a tiny screwdriver into the bushing and squirted some lithium grease in there (unsure how much really got "in"), on both sides. After a test drive, I still have some squeak, but it sounds somewhat diminished. Let me drive it a few hours over some bumps and see if the grease works in and if this provides an easier solution. It's quite annoying, but I'm not prepared to take any more off at this point. I'm changing brakes in April, so I will do it then if necessary.

HTH,

Smash

2004wagon500

Smash,
Thanks so much. I'm seeing my mechanic tomorrow(Tuesday), we'll talk about it and I will let you know what he thinks, what we do(if anything) and see what happens. I'm very appreciative.
2004wagon500

ap10046

Actually, it was done this way for me :
Car front end raised a bit.
Engine stand/lift used to take the weight of the engine off of the bar.
Old bushes..completely deteriorated and cut..were cut off..area sanded and cleaned.
New Bushes bonded in place.
I don't think this would be a DIY (?)

2004wagon500

Hi Smash and all,
Again, thanks for all the suggestions. My mechanic took car for another test ride. Heard the creaking going over speed bumps....thought it was coming from the front of the car and hence would be the struts. Nonetheless, after reading all of your good comments, he pried the sway bar bushing on the right and put in some lithium grease. Couldn't pry the left one so he hit with some penetrating oil. Also greased the strut bushings. At least on the ride home, it seemed to have done the trick. He told me we could do this again in the future if it starts creaking again and it shouldn't hurt anything. I'll stay tuned for additional comments and will update if(when!!) the creaking comes back.
2004wagon500

K-A

My W211 creaked a lot up front, probably due to the same problem. I've heard bushings problems are common with this car.

SmashF15C

Update: after a long trip, the procedure I did helped some, but not completely. My opinion is that the chassis sway bushings are definitely the culprit...and need to be completely removed to lube properly. As I stated above....not too bad once car is up on a lift with suspension hanging.

I'll complete when I do my brakes here in a couple months.

Cheers,

Smash

kkanuck

Please take pictures if possible when you attack this DIY job and post pics if you would be so kind...

Hulk

Bump for smash pics of the whole procedure!