W124 Steering Wheel noises

[tim124]

Hi,
My E280 estate (N-reg, 1995, 115k, auto) has started to make very loud 'rubbery-squeaking' noises (sounds like rubber-soled shoes on wooden flooring) when the steering wheel is turned, however slightly, when the car is in motion at low speeds (up to about 30 mph). It doesn't seem to occur when the vehicle is stationery or at speeds above 30 mph (but that latter could simply be the road noise drowning it out?). The noise is loud enough to be heard externally some distance away - my daughter-in-law, who knows about these things, noticed it from a distance of about 100m (and commented, correctly, that it wasn't what you would expect from a car with the engineering reputation of the W124 series and certainly not in one of this age, mileage and apparent pedigree, including regular full MB dealer services since new). It's not the ball-joint - that was making a noise but was replaced and the local specialist garage that did the ball-joint can't find the cause of this new noise. Any suggestions as to what it might be will be welcomed!
Thanks

 

[Robbostanhill]

Sueeeeeks

Hi,
My E280 estate (N-reg, 1995, 115k, auto) has started to make very loud 'rubbery-squeaking' noises (sounds like rubber-soled shoes on wooden flooring) when the steering wheel is turned, however slightly, when the car is in motion at low speeds (up to about 30 mph). It doesn't seem to occur when the vehicle is stationery or at speeds above 30 mph (but that latter could simply be the road noise drowning it out?). The noise is loud enough to be heard externally some distance away - my daughter-in-law, who knows about these things, noticed it from a distance of about 100m (and commented, correctly, that it wasn't what you would expect from a car with the engineering reputation of the W124 series and certainly not in one of this age, mileage and apparent pedigree, including regular full MB dealer services since new). It's not the ball-joint - that was making a noise but was replaced and the local specialist garage that did the ball-joint can't find the cause of this new noise. Any suggestions as to what it might be will be welcomed!
Thanks

Jack it up and support on stands properly at the front.
Using a volunteer to turn the steering lay underneath and locate the sound using the auditory accessories either side of your head...
Then post back where you beleive the noise is located etc..

 

[television]

It could be the boot on the bulkhead where the column passes through if the sound is in the car

 

[tim124]

Hi, Thanks for this advice. I took it to a specialist (AH Autos, Guildford, if I can give them a mention) who did exactly this, but using their hoist, and they're fairly certain it's the offside track rod arm that is causing the noise (you could feel it 'grating' when it was moved). Have ordered a replacement from local MBMD and will report back after it's been fitted.

 

[tim124]

Hi, Thanks for this advice. I took it to a specialist (AH Autos, Guildford, if I can give them a mention) who did exactly this, but using their hoist, and they're fairly certain it's the offside track rod arm that is causing the noise (you could feel it 'grating' when it was moved). Have ordered a replacement from local MBMD and will report back after it's been fitted.

Update: track rod arm replaced, also nearside balljoint (to match the offside balljoint replaced earlier), and the creaking/squeaking is no more. (Old track rod arm was badly eroded/corroded.) Trouble is, we found that the head gasket needs replacing, so am approaching bank for second mortgage...

 

[kth286]

why does the head gasket need replacing, if the engine was not causing you a problem ?