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Creaking front end; very loud and often confirmed as Balljoint ceased
Topic Started: Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:42 pm (1,894 Views)
threepointbadge
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Oh Man, My car is creaking like a banshee

It started yesterday, I changed the spark plugs and cleaned the dizzy out, srayed WD40 to help the workings and after I went for a run came home to reverse the car into the drive and the loudest creaking was coming from the front end.

It's both when I turn the wheel lock to lock, louder when done quickly and also when going over bumps.

I went to halfrauds and picked up some grease and lobbed it around the anti roll bar bushes, track rod end, ball joints to see if it would ease. No joy

I phoned a mate who is a mechanic and he said spray everywhere with WD40 to see if it stops or lessens doing individual spots and testing as you progress..

All seems tight and the rubbers look good. There is no loose feel or grey area in the rack, there is no play in the wheels, there was no progressive noise getting worse so I must have hit a pothole or one speedramp I have in mind and damaged something. I have read other posts here and know I suspect it might be the suspension tops? It sounds much lower down though.

With my girl turning the wheel with me underneath (easy now) I think it is coming from near the hyrdraulic lookin ram that opens and closes lock to lock.

Any other things I should check that might narrow this down?

It's really getting me down feckknows

Edited by threepointbadge, Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:45 pm.
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gibpetrolhead
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I'd be minded to say ball joints as the steering damper doesn't creak, replace them now as a failure on the road is not pretty.
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Big Ben
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Balljoint? Creaking from lock to lock is normally a sign of this. Cahange them if you have no record of this being done recently. If one fails it can be very dangerous and expensive!
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gibpetrolhead
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The loud creaking is simply the power of the steering pump literally tearing the ball-joint apart.
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stwat
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Indeed, worn balljoint ready to go pop !!
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threepointbadge
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Thanks for the replies gents.

I'll keep ye posted. It's so loud it turns heads

When I was under the car it really sounded more in the centre of the car. I'm not set up properly here to attempt that level of work so will have to bring it to a garage.

I have so far done 2000 miles trouble free so I suppose I shouldn't complain
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threepointbadge
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stwat
Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:16 am
Indeed, worn balljoint ready to go pop !!
cheers stwat

I am looking forward to the peace of mind of getting them done
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p1RATE
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if you pump the ball joints full of wd40 it should dull the creaking, however get them swapped as soon as you can.

I replaced the whole wishbone as it was about £65 and saved a lot of work!
Edited by p1RATE, Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:01 am.
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Gerry Lloyd
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a shock abrorber can also creak loudly, more so than a ball joint. My front left shock makes a noise if I carry passengers: http://mercedes-190.co.uk/topic/6679481/1/#new
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threepointbadge
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I will try to get it up on the lift this week. I might try and upload a vid or two which will give an idea of how loud it is. Chances are it won't make the same sound with the weight of the car off the wheels (It's a two post lift)
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threepointbadge
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p1RATE
Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:00 am
if you pump the ball joints full of wd40 it should dull the creaking, however get them swapped as soon as you can.

I replaced the whole wishbone as it was about £65 and saved a lot of work!
Thanks for the reply , interesting car colour you have there.

I have unloaded 1 can of "air freshener oil" so far.... I will have to be more precise with the next one :B

I was toying with the idea of arm replacement as on an old Ford I had it was always the way to go.

The list of jobs to do is building steady now, I'd love to spend some money on her. When I was under it at the weekend the flakes on the block look terrible, she needs some sanding and treating before it gets too bad, the chassis is strong but again, needs preserving.

I noticed oil leaking at the breather pipe into the air box at the wekend too so jubilee clipped it tight...
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threepointbadge
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Gerry Lloyd
Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:32 am
a shock abrorber can also creak loudly, more so than a ball joint. My front left shock makes a noise if I carry passengers: http://mercedes-190.co.uk/topic/6679481/1/#new
hi Gerry, I saw your post on creaky shocks, a good friend of mine suggests it is the shock tops as does a mechanic but both have only been going on my descriptions... I tried to get them to agree with me that it was the ball joints and they both said the car should be showing play at speed...

It's all very interesting, I think I will order some replacement ball joints and look into the chance of it being the shocks. I don't think the shocks are done as they both look fresh and show no sign of leaks. Is it where it mounts that might be squeaking? Or within the shock itself?
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Gerry Lloyd
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threepointbadge
Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:21 am
Gerry Lloyd
Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:32 am
a shock abrorber can also creak loudly, more so than a ball joint. My front left shock makes a noise if I carry passengers: http://mercedes-190.co.uk/topic/6679481/1/#new
hi Gerry, I saw your post on creaky shocks, a good friend of mine suggests it is the shock tops as does a mechanic but both have only been going on my descriptions... I tried to get them to agree with me that it was the ball joints and they both said the car should be showing play at speed...

It's all very interesting, I think I will order some replacement ball joints and look into the chance of it being the shocks. I don't think the shocks are done as they both look fresh and show no sign of leaks. Is it where it mounts that might be squeaking? Or within the shock itself?
my faulty one has noise from the lower cylinder section. The last post on my thread mentions that there is an unusual internal structure in the front shocks with a ball joint that is noisy when dry.
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threepointbadge
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Gerry Lloyd
Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:38 pm
threepointbadge
Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:21 am
Gerry Lloyd
Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:32 am
a shock abrorber can also creak loudly, more so than a ball joint. My front left shock makes a noise if I carry passengers: http://mercedes-190.co.uk/topic/6679481/1/#new
hi Gerry, I saw your post on creaky shocks, a good friend of mine suggests it is the shock tops as does a mechanic but both have only been going on my descriptions... I tried to get them to agree with me that it was the ball joints and they both said the car should be showing play at speed...

It's all very interesting, I think I will order some replacement ball joints and look into the chance of it being the shocks. I don't think the shocks are done as they both look fresh and show no sign of leaks. Is it where it mounts that might be squeaking? Or within the shock itself?
my faulty one has noise from the lower cylinder section. The last post on my thread mentions that there is an unusual internal structure in the front shocks with a ball joint that is noisy when dry.
I had another good look from on my back at this and I reckon you are on the money with the shocks. The Ball joints probably should be changed for confidence and I priced them today, cheap for peace of mind. The labour might be sore though.

I had herself in sawing at the steering wheel lock to lock and the front right shock is up there with a chance of being the source of the noise. Ok noise can travel through metal but this is happening now with no movement of the steering rack, it will make a tiny squeak sometimes by jumping into the drivers seat.

The mechanic at the garage where I bought the car rack-oned I should check around the steering column under the dash as they make noise there too, I opened it up after work and am sure it's not that.

I gave her a wash wax and chamois out of sheer frustration (the car not my girlfriend)

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threepointbadge
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Booked into sick bay for 10a.m. Ball joints will be replaced tomorrow... update to follow. He should have an easy time getting them changed with the amount of WD40 and grease I've slapped on over the last few days
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gibpetrolhead
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Well you will know one way or the other, still say its the ball joints. :)
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threepointbadge
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dum de dum de dum.....

waiting is the hard part!
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aemt
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paying is the hard part
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threepointbadge
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aemt
Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:54 pm
paying is the hard part
Ha, you're not wrong. This time I don't need worry

Well, the lad I bought the car from is doing it FOC, I payed a bit over the odds for this car so he is being decent with me.

next time it needs something I will have to cough up.

Very tempted to put HT Leads and new Dizzy on this week too
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threepointbadge
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Dang, dang and double dang.... inconclusive so far. Guy I bought the car from says ball joints, he was going to just change 1, I say change both sides!

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gibpetrolhead
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threepointbadge
Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:31 pm
Dang, dang and double dang.... inconclusive so far. Guy I bought the car from says ball joints, he was going to just change 1, I say change both sides!

Always two, from top mounts, springs, dampers, bushes to the discs and pads always change both of them. :driver:
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threepointbadge
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gibpetrolhead
Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:00 pm
threepointbadge
Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:31 pm
Dang, dang and double dang.... inconclusive so far. Guy I bought the car from says ball joints, he was going to just change 1, I say change both sides!

Always two, from top mounts, springs, dampers, bushes to the discs and pads always change both of them. :driver:
Nice one gibpetrolhead

Two it will be! If she needs shocks or anything else I'm gonna go for it. I just got the nod for another 8 months work so thankfully I can get this kind of servicing done.

Some nice cars up for 190 of the month, including your own! It's a class machine. Does it drive as fresh as it looks?
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gibpetrolhead
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threepointbadge
Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:34 pm
gibpetrolhead
Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:00 pm
threepointbadge
Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:31 pm
Dang, dang and double dang.... inconclusive so far. Guy I bought the car from says ball joints, he was going to just change 1, I say change both sides!

Always two, from top mounts, springs, dampers, bushes to the discs and pads always change both of them. :driver:
Nice one gibpetrolhead

Two it will be! If she needs shocks or anything else I'm gonna go for it. I just got the nod for another 8 months work so thankfully I can get this kind of servicing done.

Some nice cars up for 190 of the month, including your own! It's a class machine. Does it drive as fresh as it looks?
Nice to hear that there is some work about and your getting some of it. :D

Thanks G778 is one of the best, that's because its had a few thousand spent on it over the years but more important to me was fact that you can get in and drive it without making excuses for her.
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Barnsey190e
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Mine started making noises exactly like yours threepointbadge - started on Monday so popped it into my mates garage last night. He had a good look round and (suprise, suprise) says the ball joint has had it. So it's going in next week to have both replaced. Just have to nurse it through a couple of days until it goes in...am turning heads with the sqeaking!
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nathan190e
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its a loud noise init! mine only happens when turning but WOW!
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threepointbadge
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Barnsey190e
Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:29 am
Mine started making noises exactly like yours threepointbadge - started on Monday so popped it into my mates garage last night. He had a good look round and (suprise, suprise) says the ball joint has had it. So it's going in next week to have both replaced. Just have to nurse it through a couple of days until it goes in...am turning heads with the sqeaking!
Hi Barnsey, I was in with the mechanic yesterday and he hadn't even started the work a day and a half later. I hope it is just th eball joints cos if it's anything else I won't have the car for the weekend.

I really hope you get yours sorted nice and handy. It seems wrong to turn heads with a squeaky 190, it's giving the car such a bad image.
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threepointbadge
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nathan190e
Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:07 am
its a loud noise init! mine only happens when turning but WOW!
It's unreal ! It's like having someone playing bagpipes under the bonnet :crying:

(Mind you, it sounds a hell of a lot better than a lot of the bagpipes I've heard. I do believe they were only intended to use as a deterrent to foreigners from entering bonnie Scotland)

I really like the idea of cruising around unnoticed bar the odd enthusiast who appreciates what I am driving.
Hopefully you'll get yours sorted too as I understand it's v dangerous.

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nathan190e
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went 2 do mine 2day and had a bolt snap on me so i need a new wishbone!!!
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threepointbadge
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nathan190e
Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:29 pm
went 2 do mine 2day and had a bolt snap on me so i need a new wishbone!!!
Hey Nathan, that's the pits!
I can fully appreciate how that happenned. I have a manifold to change and it looks like it "grew" the nuts onto the threads. I asked the mechanic about it and he said heating all up with oxy acetylene will leave it a handy job.

You should get a new wishbone handy enough, or even a 2nd hand one. Soak everything that needs to move in WD40 abd leave it over night (to marinade :) he he)

One thing for sure... don't give up!

One of my best mates spent the night before his wedding helping me replace turbo gaskets on a 200sx I had. People were calling to the house to wish him well only to have to talk to him in the garage. Probably took his mind off the impending doom!!!
It was 9 Years ago and I still feel I owe him!!!
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threepointbadge
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All done gents, Balljoint on Driver's side was COMPLETELY ceased

Lucky for me it started squeaking!

10/10 gibpetrolhead, STWAT and Big Ben for propmt diagnosis from my description of symptoms

Every day's a schoolday!!!
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gibpetrolhead
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So you've got rid of the bagpipe playing scot under the bonnet, good news. ;)
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threepointbadge
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So, I picked up the car this evening....

Andy the polish mechanic fitted the following: Two ball joints, a sprayed up 2nd hand manifold, a replacement oil filler cap,now with German writing! (the old one cracked in my hand topping up the oil 2 weeks ago, it was tight), an exhaust bracket and a Sacco panel to the rear wing. He was busy, there's a lot to be said for buying from an enthusiast.
The gent I bought the car from specialises in conversions so he has 20+ mercs in the yard in all sorts of condition. The manifold came off a 1.8 that was in with a head gasket problem, now running a diesel. I think he can squeeze a 3.0 diesel in from a more recent model.

I am going back in on Monday to thank the mechanic prop€rly. He wasn't around this evening so I didn't see the car up on the lift or the old parts. Pity as I have never seen anything other than from lying on my back under the car.

I am so glad it's right again. There are many posts here dealing with this problem including one with a heavy warning; some of which I had read before even buying the car. I really thought it was in the shock but it must have been the grinding resonating up through the shock. I hit a speedbump quite hard the day the noise began so that must have taken it to whining level.... There is another thread on the thermostat housing that has me thinking I should do that soon.
She is getting a new dizzy cap and leads tomorrow.
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probably won't stay shiny for long, you would need sunglasses to look at this on a sunny day, not that we get many of those in Ireland
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nice
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record the mileage, no service book with this lady I'm afraid
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double nice

Thanks all for the posts and help. bigup yer good selves
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Edited by threepointbadge, Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:20 pm.
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