Squeaky wiggle sounds like owls coming from front right corner
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
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2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
Squeaky wiggle sounds like owls coming from front right corner
Anyone experience this and know what the cause is? Only happens when moving and the sound starts as soon as I start to move, almost like it anticipates I’m going to move and is ready to whine the moment the wheel releases from brakes. Usually more prevalent or maybe just more noticeable at low speeds. I noticed the sound went away for a short while after I changed wheels and I was hoping it was the cracked wheel I had that was making the noise but now the sound is back as much or more than before. The cv boots look intact and I don’t see anything else that is clearly loose or damaged. Thanks for any tips that lead to solving this annoyance.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
Is that sound clip I posted clear enough to get any feedback from anyone or should I try another. I realize it might be hard to distinguish from background noise.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Most likely a suspension or possibly a motor mount issue. There is also the stabilizer bar bushing that can cause this sound. If you've replaced basically every component of the front suspension and still have this noise, check if the bushing is torn on the stabilizer bar.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
Most likely a suspension or possibly a motor mount issue. There is also the stabilizer bar bushing that can cause this sound. If you've replaced basically every component of the front suspension and still have this noise, check if the bushing is torn on the stabilizer bar.
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 182
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From: Toronto, Canada
2010 GLK350 4matic
Did the noise disappear in cold weather?? My creaking suspension noise ( control arms) were almost silent in freezing temps and then made a sudden return when it warmed up. After replacing all
4 front arms it’s nice and quiet again. I could replicate the noise when I had someone bounce the car up and down from the front and I placed my stethoscope on the CA bushings, the upper control arm bushing were also tearing, the lower control arms bushings were good but the ball joints were very loose.
4 front arms it’s nice and quiet again. I could replicate the noise when I had someone bounce the car up and down from the front and I placed my stethoscope on the CA bushings, the upper control arm bushing were also tearing, the lower control arms bushings were good but the ball joints were very loose.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
Did the noise disappear in cold weather?? My creaking suspension noise ( control arms) were almost silent in freezing temps and then made a sudden return when it warmed up. After replacing all
4 front arms it’s nice and quiet again. I could replicate the noise when I had someone bounce the car up and down from the front and I placed my stethoscope on the CA bushings, the upper control arm bushing were also tearing, the lower control arms bushings were good but the ball joints were very loose.
4 front arms it’s nice and quiet again. I could replicate the noise when I had someone bounce the car up and down from the front and I placed my stethoscope on the CA bushings, the upper control arm bushing were also tearing, the lower control arms bushings were good but the ball joints were very loose.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Could also be the lower ball joint. Those are a common wear item.
While the W211s have a fantastic ride, I feel the suspensions (especially the front) are not durable. Lots of things wear out quickly. A 2008 is most certainly overdue for a suspension overhaul; meaning replacing basically everything. If you are handy with tools, it's actually not that hard to do. Working on the W211 is very easy. Many articles are youtube videos are available. Also parts are not that expensive. I would suggest sticking with OEM suppliers. FCP Euro has a fanstastic lifetime warranty that comes in real handy when the parts wear out.
While the W211s have a fantastic ride, I feel the suspensions (especially the front) are not durable. Lots of things wear out quickly. A 2008 is most certainly overdue for a suspension overhaul; meaning replacing basically everything. If you are handy with tools, it's actually not that hard to do. Working on the W211 is very easy. Many articles are youtube videos are available. Also parts are not that expensive. I would suggest sticking with OEM suppliers. FCP Euro has a fanstastic lifetime warranty that comes in real handy when the parts wear out.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
Could also be the lower ball joint. Those are a common wear item.
While the W211s have a fantastic ride, I feel the suspensions (especially the front) are not durable. Lots of things wear out quickly. A 2008 is most certainly overdue for a suspension overhaul; meaning replacing basically everything. If you are handy with tools, it's actually not that hard to do. Working on the W211 is very easy. Many articles are youtube videos are available. Also parts are not that expensive. I would suggest sticking with OEM suppliers. FCP Euro has a fanstastic lifetime warranty that comes in real handy when the parts wear out.
While the W211s have a fantastic ride, I feel the suspensions (especially the front) are not durable. Lots of things wear out quickly. A 2008 is most certainly overdue for a suspension overhaul; meaning replacing basically everything. If you are handy with tools, it's actually not that hard to do. Working on the W211 is very easy. Many articles are youtube videos are available. Also parts are not that expensive. I would suggest sticking with OEM suppliers. FCP Euro has a fanstastic lifetime warranty that comes in real handy when the parts wear out.
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 83
Likes: 23
From: 714/949, SoCal
2008 S211 4MATIC
i do believe W211s suspension are easy to work on, but the OP (and i) have a 4matic, and i find the front to be so much more complicated due to the axles! the lower arm has 2 inner bushings as it's an a-arm vs just 1 on a RWD car.
i recently lowered my 4matic and i have not heard anything similar to what you are experiencing. could it be the brake pads?
i recently lowered my 4matic and i have not heard anything similar to what you are experiencing. could it be the brake pads?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
i do believe W211s suspension are easy to work on, but the OP (and i) have a 4matic, and i find the front to be so much more complicated due to the axles! the lower arm has 2 inner bushings as it's an a-arm vs just 1 on a RWD car.
i recently lowered my 4matic and i have not heard anything similar to what you are experiencing. could it be the brake pads?
i recently lowered my 4matic and i have not heard anything similar to what you are experiencing. could it be the brake pads?
If it’s a brake pad, that’s a whole different situation and I have been planning a full service when that time comes, some quality rotors, pads, ss lines and fluid flush. But I’ve never heard brake pads make a noise like that before. It’s usually a higher pitch squeal and only when brakes are applied and should definitely be affected either way if I brake. This sound seems independent from brake use but I’ll pay closer attention there too.
Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to affect performance as I took the car on a canyon run road trip for the first time and suspension and brakes were all feeling solid. But it is hard to say if I don’t have perspective to feel what it should be if there is a bigger issue.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
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2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
