Suspension Creaking

[Ivinghoe]

My recently acquired C180 Classic SE 54 registration has creaking noises from underneath
The car has just had it's B service by an independent garage, and the mechanic said that he had sprayed the bushes etc whilst it was up on the ramp
However, the creaking still persists

The car has done 65k miles and has a full service history

Any ideas as to how the rectify would be appreciated

 

[DREAMER NO2]

If its a ball joint you wont stop it,, removal and replacment is the only way [ check youtube videos ] on this subject

 

[Oldspanners]

My recently acquired C180 Classic SE 54 registration has creaking noises from underneath
The car has just had it's B service by an independent garage, and the mechanic said that he had sprayed the bushes etc whilst it was up on the ramp
However, the creaking still persists

The car has done 65k miles and has a full service history

Any ideas as to how the rectify would be appreciated

Had the same problem turned out it was a ball joint on the lower front suspension arm. Best to replace them both at the same time and get the tracking done.
Here's how I found the problem not the same car but the technique works.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

oldspanners You are spot on with the video link ./.

 

[LostKiwi]

As above probably a ball joint. When they creak they're often close to failing.

 

[Ivinghoe]

As above probably a ball joint. When they creak they're often close to failing.

The car had it's MOT just 4 weeks ago and passed with no advisories - so a worn ball joint should had been picked up !

The MOT was done via the dealer just before I purchased the car ….

 

[EmilysDad]

The back end of my R Class used to creak & groan. I thought that replacing the rear shockers air 'springs' would have cured it, but it didn't. I did trace it to the top of a shocker & so greased up anything that could be greased. It lasted for a couple of weeks & started again, I repeated and the creaking returned a couple of weeks later ..... in the end I just turned the radio up before I traded it in.

 

[Oldspanners]

The car had it's MOT just 4 weeks ago and passed with no advisories - so a worn ball joint should had been picked up !

The MOT was done via the dealer just before I purchased the car ….

There won't be any play in the joint to start with as there will be rust and grime in it which is what causes the squeak. When this wears sufficiently and usually gets washed out, then you'll get the play.

 

[EmilysDad]

The car had it's MOT just 4 weeks ago and passed with no advisories - so a worn ball joint should had been picked up !

A Senator I had years ago passed its MOT a few times with a completely fubar'd rear radius arm bush .... the centre was completely detached from the rubber.

The MOT was done via the dealer just before I purchased the car ….

My ML's front brakes passed its 'health check' from the supplying dealer with flying colours however 3 weeks later a local MB dealer's 'health check' said the pads were 80% worn & advised that the discs were replaced.
Both dealers had a financial interest ... however they were at polar financial opposites

 

[Blobcat]

My ML's front brakes passed its 'health check' from the supplying dealer with flying colours however 3 weeks later a local MB dealer's 'health check' said the pads were 80% worn & advised that the discs were replaced.
Bother dealers had a financial interest ... however they were at polar financial opposites

I had exactly the same with my SLK, makes a huge difference if you’re buying or selling.

I’m nearly 14k into mine now and I’ve not needed brakes or anything else.

 

[bembo449]

has this model got the bonded on anti roll bar bushes ? creak like hell when the bond no longer works

 

[LostKiwi]

The car had it's MOT just 4 weeks ago and passed with no advisories - so a worn ball joint should had been picked up !

The MOT was done via the dealer just before I purchased the car ….

Due to the design of the front suspension the balljoint is under tension from the front spring at all times. This makes it very difficult to detect if the joint is worn. One of our own Indy's had a balljoint fail on a car he was driving.

 

[Austy]

Had a CLK years ago where the rose bushes made an awful racket even whilst driving on a smooth surface. I could replicate the noise bouncing the car by pushing down on the boot lid.

 

[Doug1234]

Tips of the suspension springs can break off and not fall out and these can creak and groan, now get a garden hose and soak the spring seats top and bottom and then see if it stops making noise and if it does then I am quite certain you will find a spring tip broken off .

 

[kid-jensen]

A flexible plastic tube pointed at various moving parts of the suspension, whilst someone else (preferably heavy) bounces the suspension up and down.

Listen at the other end and it should be obvious which joint/bush is making the noise...