My car make strange noises when turning

[Tim55]

I just bought a beautifull 2003 CLK200 here in Belgium Europe.
It only has 128k km (appr. 83k miles). It drives like a charm, actually a very old dream came
true when I finally bought this Merc. There is only ONE thing which I find a bit strange,
namely the sound the tires make when I turn left or right when taking off. When I drive faster
there is no sound at all, but when I take off at a green light and immediatly turn right (or left)
I hear some weird sound (like rubber squeling against the pavement). I went to the Mercedes
dealer who told me that these sounds are normal (and it aint the wheel bearings (he did a quick
check)), but all I hear now is that sound everytime I turn ;-) Next thursday I'm getting a new car
stereo installed, and my girlfriend said that it will stop bugging me as soon as music fills the car, and
I guess she's right but I'm still wondering if I shouldn't get a second opinion. Maybe it's the
oil level of the steering wheel? Or the bearings anyway? Are there any CLK W209 owners who
would be so kind to confirm if their tires make the same sound or if this really isn't normal?
To be honest, it is not a loud squeaking sound or something, more a friction sound (if you know
what I mean). Sometimes it feels as if the sound comes from the steering wheel, but then you
listen more closely and it comes from the tires. Oh well...

 

[grober]

Sounds as if you are experiencing tyre scrub when each front tyre has to describe two curves of different radius- the ackerman effect. This is normally dictated to an extent by wheel toe in settings but may be affected by castor and camber also. Time perhaps to get a full chassis alignment done if you can't live with it?

 

[PobodY]

I can't say I've noticed anything like that, and I did take the opportunity for some spirited driving today... but I've also got the "AMG Sports" kit (so different struts and 225/45/R18s on the front), so it might be that I've simply got more mechanical grip (and therefore less chance of squealing).

If I plant my right foot as I'm turning, the rear axle does make some funny noises; if the traction control is on there's a chirp then it cuts the power... and if it's off there's something that sounds a lot like squealing tyres.

As above: try adjusting suspension settings to dial the understeer out. - In simple terms tightening the rear and softening the front will mean that the front grips more and it's the rear that squeals instead. (Information paraphrased from Whiteline Suspension)
Polybushes on the rear with rubber on the front might just be enough.

 

[noogieman]

if you suspect your tires, see if you have any abnormal tire wear on the inside/out and Onatop the tire thread?

power steering do sometimes make funny noise when turning steering wheel

 

[StuW213]

Power steering belt slipping if it has such a thing?