300E Steering creaking

[sportline300]

A little problem has been annoying me for a while.

At low speeds, particularly evident when parking in a multi-storey car park, my 300e sportline makes a creaking noise when the steering wheel is turned. I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from but i know it can be heard inside and outside the car. It isn't evident all the time and apart sometimes at low speeds the steering is fine.

Anybody any thoughts? The car is a 91 and has 88k on the clock.

Thanks for any advice.

James

 

[kth286]

James

If you subscribe to other forums you cannot have failed to see the dire consequences of ignoring this noise any longer, lest your lower steering ball joint (located at the outer end of each wishbone) siezes and breaks, leaving you with the front of the car lying on the road (perhaps whilst you are doing 60 mph).

Get it seen by an experienced Merc indy immediately. Putting it in for an MOT via a Merc dealer is good value for an overall inspection as they will know what to look for.

Regards

 

[sportline300]

Thanks for the reply.

I never realized how serious it was. You diagnosed correctly though, the steering ball joint was on its way out. I was originally quoted 170 for each side because i had a sportline but thankfully, for me, it is only the 24 valve sportline that requires the wishbone and ball joint. My car requires the ball joints only at 18 quid each.

Another bonus, there is a chap in the Aberdeen area who is a merc specialist, He used to work at the Aberdeen Merc dealership, but has branched out on his own and charges 27.50 an hour compared to the 65 quid dealership.

Thanks again.

James