Creaking/Groaning coming from steering wheel and front end

[C-Class]

Hi all.

This is really beginning to bother me now. My C220 CDI 1999 Auto Saloon does the following;

1. While stationary (engine running) if I turn the wheel to left - nothing, but
when I turn it to the right, it groans, and I can feel this through the
wheel too?
2. At slow speed, while cornering to the right (turning into a T junction - 3
point turn etc) it does the same thing.

This never happens at speed.

The car groans and creaks at the rear, but I put this down to it being "held" while in drive at the lights etc for over 135,000 miles.

So far I have had the n/s/f lower ball joint replaced.

The car was also thoroughly checked at it's MOT at the beginning of December, with the bar, and all four wheels on the shaker plates.
It passed with flying colours.
The MOT tester said it could be connected to the power steering, but he said all suspension components, inc bushes were fine.

One thing I have noticed. If the car has been jacked up and off it's weight, this goes away for a short period but then returns after only a couple of miles.

I expect the car to groan and creak a bit due to it's age and mileage, but this is it's only fault, it is faultless in every other respect (my 1st Merc, and I'm never changing)

Can anyone offer any ideas as to what could be causing this please?

Merry Christmas all!!!

 

[Uncle Benz]

The jacking it up to relieve it sounds like a dry balljoint creaking to me. Possibly one on the drag link.

Sometimes they go dry and creak, but show no movement or wear when tested.

Does it do it with the engine off? I know the steering will be heavy, but a squeaky balljoint would still be detectable.

 

[C-Class]

Hi.

To be honest, I haven't tried it with the engine off. I will give it a go. It does seem to be getting worse as time goes on.

 

[ernieh]

Creaking Steering

My steering column had a similar problem a few months ago. In fact, the symptoms were such that had it been a car of yesteryear, I would have squirted some WD40 down the column. However, the garage instead squirted oil into the universal joint at the base of the column and this cured the problem for a while. However, it has now returned and will have to visit the garage again in the New Year.

The problem isn't present on start up but takes a few miles to develop and that makes me think that a bearing is drying out as a result of its proximity to the exhaust. It will probably end up with a new universal joint under Service Plus....money well spent!

Hope this helps.



Ernie

 

[C-Class]

Hi Ernie.

Even though the lower ball joint seemed fine at the MOT (under a month ago) I think I will change it anyway. It is a cheap fix.

Cheers.

 

[television]

I will see if there are any noisy steering box known faults later in the day, there is on the 210.

 

[C-Class]

Hi Malcolm.

Thanks. I was out in the Merc today, and I began to think if it is related to the box as opposed to the suspension? If it is, I could be in for a costly repair bill, unless I can change it myself???

I look forward to shearing what you think.

 

[Barrie P]

I had loud creaking noises from the front of my 230te when turning right and it turned out to be an accumulation of rust between the anti roll bar and the supporting rubber bush. Scrapped rust away, greased surfaces and problem cured.

 

[television]

Not one thing listed for the 202 or 203 for noises in the steering column

 

[roofless]

the fact you feel it through the steering wheel makes me think it's the pump or the belt slipping ?

 

[FIBAMAN]

Had the same problem with my old C180, but could find no problem parts.
The noise was definitely related to cold weather, once the weather warmed up a bit it disappeared (did this for years), bit like me really, only my creaking and groaning seems to be lasting a bit longer these days