jt1643

Hey guys i have a 2004 S500 with Airmatic suspension. When i go over bumps the front suspension makes a sqeak/clunking noise. Also when i raise the vehicle up it squeaks a little but when it lowers back down it sqeaks quite a bit. Also if i push down on the edge of the hood obove the right wheel the car will make that same sqeaking noise, however if i do it to the left side it won't make the noise. I recently replaced both the right and left upper control arms, ball joints, and wheel baring hoping this would fix the sqeaking but sadly it did not. Now i really don't know what to do. Any ideas?

tusabes

Looks like you didn't change the Lower controls arms

DrDoe

Were replacement parts OEM or Chinese Karlyn?

_Ryan

Just have someone listen while you push on the car. It will easily pinpoint the issue.

Alternatively, if you really can't find anyone to help, spray down the bushings with some silicone spray one at a time while you bounce the car. See which one goes away.

Welwynnick

These cars always suffer from squeaking suspension eventually. There are so many ball joints.

The usual culprits are the ones at the bottom of the respective struts, where they meet the lower transverse arm. They take the weight.

You could possibly disconnect the ball joint and remove the rubber boots. Clean and re-grease the ball joint and refit the boots. I've done a few, and it works for a reasonable length of time.

Nick

wallyp

Or, you could try a quick and easy temporary fix.

Go to the parts store and buy a needle to fit in the connector of your grease gun. Poke that thru the rubber boot and pump it full of grease. On the lower joints, it helps to have the car jacked at the time.

Might make the joint last another year or two...

engindin

I don't think ball joints will make noise when you push car down by hand.


Probably it is upper control arms, you couldn't tighten the bolts from wishbone to front end(50Nm) and they make squeaky noise.

Welwynnick

Did you ever try that fix yourself? Did it get rid of the squeaking?

Cheers, Nick

wallyp

Yes, but not on the Mercedes. Yes.

But, as others say, (and I have said in the past) the ball joints might not be what is squeaking...

blackopal

My S430 had a squeak that I managed to identify by squirting WD40 into the balljoints. I could make it squeak by just pushing it down by hand.


Later my control arms made a squeak but only ever on the upstroke after hitting a speed hump.


Did you replace all ball joints? If not, I'd be checking out the ones you didn't

jt1643

Hey guys, I replaced the lower control arms and there is no more squeaking thanks.

Cyndi Hall

You can not put jusy any greese into rubber. It HAS to be patroleum free. white lithium greese is what I use