Loud Steering Squeak (Rubber Boot) - W205

[Fraiser]

Hi all,

First post since owning a number of MB cars, both moderns and classics.

My W205 C220 sport has adopted this very annoying squeaking sound in the steering since I purchased from MB dealership. The dealership have returned the car under warranty several times with "no fault found" when this issue has been raised before. It stopped for a while, but now has got worse this year and the car is typically outside of warranty.

The only way to describe this loud noise is via this video (courtesy of this youtuber):

I have discovered that the noise is coming from the internal rubber boot at the bottom of the column before the engine bulkhead. When I hold and move the rubber boot and plastic ring, it starts to reduce the sound. It seems a lack of lubrication is causing the noise, and it is worse on cold days, hardly noticeable on hot days.

Here is an image below of my findings based on a view of the part:

Can anyone kindly advise on how to either correctly lubricate or sort out this issue?
Really would appreciate some direction from a fellow enthusiast!

 

[Blobcat]

Silicone spray lubricant, go wild

 

[Fraiser]

Thanks Blobcat

 

[number six]

Had this in my W205 when car was only 1 year old. Rubber boot replaced under warranty. Got the impression it was quite a simple job.

 

[wayne.kelly]

HI Fraiser did lubricating the joint fix it for you I am having the same issues and wondering if i'm going to have to replace the joint

​

 

[Fraiser]

Hi @wayne.kelly, a grease based lubricant did not work. However, I'm trying silicone spray lubricate into it this weekend to test.
Sound is getting a lot worse.

 

[mattkh]

Hope it clears.
By the way whats under the rubber boot, if it is possible to move it upwards.

 

[Fraiser]

Hope it clears.
By the way whats under the rubber boot, if it is possible to move it upwards.

The boot is fastened to the firewall of the car, but the boot has a plastic tophat clip further up the steering column and this is the only part that moves

 

[Fraiser]

To all,
Just a progress update - A month ago I sprayed a little amount of WD40 silicone spray lubricant into the boot and around the flange of the steering column and seems to have resolved the problem. However, this morning the noise started to return. I have applied more lubricant and the noise has been omitted again, but I'm working out if this will be a permanent fix.. I'm really hoping it will be !

 

[Blobcat]

W

To all,
Just a progress update - I have sprayed a little amount of WD40 silicone spray lubricant into the boot and around the flange of the steering column and seems to have resolved the problem. However, this morning the noise started to return. I have applied more lubricant and the noise has gone, but I'm working out if this will be a permanent fix, and really hoping it will be !

WD40 isn’t a lubricant, so noise will come back

 

[Fraiser]

W

WD40 isn’t a lubricant, so noise will come back

It states on the can "High Performance Silicone Lubricant", is this not appropriate?

 

[Janchee]

W

WD40 isn’t a lubricant, so noise will come back

Wd40 have many different lubricants now. They do have a silicone lubricant

 

[mattkh]

Would a white silicone grease be better..?

 

[Blobcat]

It states on the can "High Performance Silicone Lubricant", is this not appropriate?

That is, thought it was regular WD40

 

[ENyap]

Got the same situation on mine. Sounds like when stealers drive your car on a polished workshop surface. I also heard it’s not just the steering rack but also the boots on either/behind each front wheel.

 

[ENyap]

Tried the injection idea last night. Nowt, nothing, notta - still sounding like a dog’s squeaky toy

Anyone else found a solution?

 

[wodenuk]

It states on the can "High Performance Silicone Lubricant", is this not appropriate?

Did you sort this issue out in the end? I have the same things. Did you have to remove any panels to get to the steering column boot?