W203 rear suspension creak

Nuclear Bob

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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

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S203 C180 auto estate 2001 (sold)
You could try spraying with WD40 and see if the noise goes. This should prove if the fault is as your indie suspects.
 

steviewestlea

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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
 

rf065

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

Russ
 

nickcc101

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

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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

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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

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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

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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
 
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Nuclear Bob

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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

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W203 C270CDI, R172 SLK55 AMG
Hello Bob, How did you get on with your rear-end creak? Solved it yet?
Cheers
 
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Nuclear Bob

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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.
 

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