I'm hearing a loud C R R R R E E E E E A K when I press down on the front right fender. It's not a mere squeak. It's heavy-duty...and metal on metal rubbing. It's like a whole series of loud creaking as the fender is pressed all the way down and again as the fender is let up.

With my wife pressing up and down on the fender, I can "feel" the MOST intense part of it at the BOTTOM of the coil spring. The top of the coil spring seems to be further away from the source of the rubbing. When I press SIDEWAYS against the middle part of the coil spring, the sound nearly goes away (as the fender is still being pumped). Interesting...

I "suspect" a bad rubber spring cushion ----but that's at the TOP of the coil spring. The rubber cushion is in place---I can see the edge of it at the hole at the top of the coil spring (inside engine compartment)----but seeing it doesn't mean that it's doing it's job.

I've tried spraying some WD40 on nearly everything that moves in the front suspension (especially the spring)---no luck quieting the creak.

Any thoughts?

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1977 Mercedes 240D. 4-speed transmission. Windows, A/C, and sunroof: all manual. Medium Red. 204K miles.
1988 Subaru GL wagon. Dual range 5-speed 4X4. Daily driver w/ twin parts car.
1994 Subaru Loyale wagon. 5-speed 4x4
1966 International 3/4 ton 4X4 truck. Ooh yeah!
1952 Ferguson TO-35 farm tractor.
1984 Snapper rear engine riding mower. Just like Forest Gump.
1988 Nimble 20 sail boat
--Older stuff is built better--

Get a professional front end inspection done on a proper alignment bench. The key is to find an experienced front end technician. (forget Pep Boys, Sears, Firestone et al).

Call the best body shops in town (you know, the guys that fix the Lexus, MB's and BMW's) and get alignment shop recommendation.

Some will inspect for free, others will charge you $20.

The alignment bench allows sideways movement of the wheels and allows the alignment technician to place jacks at certain points to isolate the suspension components.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Three things to check!

Presence of LOWER spring pad (there is one, I think)

Condition of track rod bushing on the firewall

Condition of track rod bearing on the control arm.

You may just be damping the noise by pressing on the spring -- both track rod bushing and bearing will creak or groan when bad, and the spring will amplify the vibration.

Most likely the bushing, as it is a known wear item. Pull the rubber boot on the firewall back, condition is usually obvious.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Thanks for the suggestions.

I checked out the track rod, bushing and bearing... seems OK.

Then I decided to hose everything off-- squirted a LOT of water at all the suspension parts.

The sound is gone!

The next time I have a car that needs new rings or a transmission overhaul, I'm just going to squirt water on it.

Wash your problems away.

I appreciate the admonishment to search front end shops of good reputation. However, I discovered a man working for a tire shop once who had lots of experience with MBZ. When I was rebuilding the front end of my '78 300D and couldn't budge some stubborn parts he knew exactly what to do and lined everything up perfectly when finished. Who knows, you might come across a forum member somewhere out there in repair-land.

"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." You just have to be looking.

My .02

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Rick
Avid Benz watcher

Previously owned 126's: 2 1981 300SD's, 1987 300SDL, 1991 350SDL,
Previously owned 123's: 1978 300D, 1983 240D, 1985 300D
Previously owned 124: 1994 320TE

Currently:
2004 Toyota Sequoia SR5 206k
2010 Ford Edge 122k
Always looking for the next MB diesel!