W203 rear suspension creak

[Nuclear Bob]

My 2002 C220 CDI coupe creaks badly at the rear (both sides) - evident while travelling and also when car stationary and the body is lifted at the wheel arches. My local indie says its the sealed bushes at the lower suspension arms - and needs a special tool to remove/replace them. He also says its not possible to lubricate them from the outside - but the fault is common after a period of dry weather (as recent) and the creaks can go away when prolonged rain - suggesting there is an entry point for any potential lubricant. If so, where, and is this acceptable practice?

many thanks

 

[nickcc101]

You could try spraying with WD40 and see if the noise goes. This should prove if the fault is as your indie suspects.

 

[steviewestlea]

Springs ?

Have you checked for broken springs ?
I had similar creak, and needed 1 front and 1 rear.
See my post 'Broken Springs'

Regards
Steve

 

[AndrewIles]

As above, broken springs are a definite possibility!

 

[rf065]

Buy a spray can of silcone lubricant & spray the bushes, works wonders.

Russ

 

[nickcc101]

Has the indie looked at the car ? if he has did he rule out broken springs ?

 

[Nuclear Bob]

Yes , broken springs have been ruled out by the Indie - and anyway they were replaced a year ago so I would be annoyed if they failed again so soon. I have sprayed with silicone and WD - no difference, but maybe I have done it in the wrong place?

 

[wireman]

Beware of using WD40 on rubber components, its a mineral oil and can destroy or at least damage rubber parts, if they ain't dud when you spray them they might be dud next year.

Use a silicon lubricant in preference.

 

[rf065]

I have sprayed with silicone and WD - no difference, but maybe I have done it in the wrong place?

You really need to get the wheel off to see all the bushes are sprayed.

Russ

 

[turbopete]

had this problem on dads w203. he got a local garage to unbolt the bushes and get a good spray around them with silicone. bolted everything back together and its been fine since

 

[Kevin Gardiner]

Sounds like the rear suspension arm outer rose joint. Very common part to be replaced.

 

[Nuclear Bob]

Many thanks for all the suggestions. I have had the wheels off and sprayed all the joints - I'm amazed there are around 12 joints/bushes for each wheel! I have concentrated on the lower arms (but which one is the problem? - I think the large main one parallel to the drive shaft which has a plastic broad lower cover?). The problem is diminished but not gone

 

[HelpThisDude]

Hello Bob, How did you get on with your rear-end creak? Solved it yet?
Cheers

 

[Nuclear Bob]

Hello, yes, problem sorted yesterday - the creak refused to go away despite lubrication, so i booked it into my local Indie for the bushes to be replaced. All quiet now. Cost 3 hrs labour (£120) plus 2 bushes (£40) plus the vat. They say very common problem on C and E class. Often needs replacing as early as 50-60,000 miles. I shall consider myself lucky as mine is now 171,000 miles.

 

[HelpThisDude]

Thank you for the feedback Bob.
Would you know what bushes were changed?
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...648716.649&CT=F&cat=69J&SID=35&SGR=075&SGN=04
If that link helps identify the offender!
I have spent a few hours looking for a worn bush to cure my creak, couldnt see any that were worn/cracked.