W203 Estate Rear Suspension - loud squeeking

[ddentrec]

Hello,

W203 C180K, 30K miles, 2003 (still under warranty), owned from new, Full MBSH. Passenger side rear suspension is groaning/squeeking when going over any sort of bump - even rocking the car results in a terrible din.

I know the front suspension bushes are a weak point on some W203s- but has anyone had rear suspension problems? I hear it is a multi-link set up and complex...I want to be be prepared when I take the car to the dealer.

 

[ckember]

I have the same problem and have a knock from the front susspension too. It has twice been looked at by MB and they say nothing is wrong. Its due anoither service soon. I will be getting it checked again.

 

[ddentrec]

Went out to the car this morning (I reported earlier in this thread that the rear suspension squeeks). Is it me or is the car listing to the left?

I measured the rear wheel arches and yes, the passenger side is 2 inches lower than the other! car looks very odd.

Tyres are OK, and the springs are not broken as far as I can tell. However, the car is very difficult to rock on its suspension - seems seized to me. And looking under the car the amount of corrosion on the rear subframe/suspension has to be seen to be believed!! I mean the WHOLE of the underside is brown/flaking paint or underseal.

Looks like a trip to the 'they all do that , sir' dealer is in order. At least the car is under warranty for the suspension. Dealer has previously rejected my claim for corrosion under MobiloLie.

 

[Robbo]

Could you post any pictures?

My 2000 W203 has some corrosion on the subframe, but its only a small amount on a few areas, and mine is 3 years older than yours

 

[Flash]

Hello,

W203 C180K, 30K miles, 2003 (still under warranty), owned from new, Full MBSH. Passenger side rear suspension is groaning/squeeking when going over any sort of bump - even rocking the car results in a terrible din.

I know the front suspension bushes are a weak point on some W203s- but has anyone had rear suspension problems? I hear it is a multi-link set up and complex...I want to be be prepared when I take the car to the dealer.

My guesses are that it may be the ball joint...!

My last W203 had same issue on the rear suspension and it was the ball joint that was dry - after lubrication of the entire rear suspension all was fine.

 

[miro]

Hello,

W203 C180K, 30K miles, 2003 (still under warranty), owned from new, Full MBSH. Passenger side rear suspension is groaning/squeeking when going over any sort of bump - even rocking the car results in a terrible din.

I know the front suspension bushes are a weak point on some W203s- but has anyone had rear suspension problems? I hear it is a multi-link set up and complex...I want to be be prepared when I take the car to the dealer.

"They all do that" because no one could be bothered to fix it.

 

[MSG2004]

"They all do that" because no one could be bothered to fix it.

Same car, masses of problems with front suspension, moise and pullonf, eventually after 10 visits they sorted it, ball joints?

Little noise from rear at times and car out of warrant in 2 weeks. Having it mot's via main dealer and if anyhting wrong other than bulbs, worn tyres/brakes they will repair - mb offer free mot once the car is three years old.

btw, just had the footbrake rachet chaged as it was sticking, now like new.

 

[BIG Sean]

Broken Spring

 

[ds123]

Hello,

W203 C180K, 30K miles, 2003 (still under warranty), owned from new, Full MBSH. Passenger side rear suspension is groaning/squeeking when going over any sort of bump - even rocking the car results in a terrible din.

I know the front suspension bushes are a weak point on some W203s- but has anyone had rear suspension problems? I hear it is a multi-link set up and complex...I want to be be prepared when I take the car to the dealer.

I have the same problem with the front(i think) suspension - but i only get the squeeking sounds when its hot outside - maybe something is gone dry and need some lubrication?
I haven't looked under the car so i can't say if i have any problem with paint or corrosion issues.

 

[Robbo]

Its your front anti roll bar bushes!

How about that for a quick response!

 

[ddentrec]

Thanks to all for your responses.

Story so far:

1. I need to borrow a decent digital camera to get some snaps posted.

2. Have booked car in to dealer (mid Sept as I am away).

3. Am also writing to DCUK 'Customer Services' about the corrosion: I am not going to be fobbed off this time. It is not acceptable. Clearly to save money they have simply painted the rear subframe in thin black paint, and the underseal is not much better. My W123 200T has its original thick subframe coating (epoxy?): after 378,000 miles is it only just starting to rust (though body is bit rough). Shameful, really shameful.

Will let you know what happend next. But I can tell you I do not think I will be owning this C180K next year - it will be re-sold as an 'Approved Mercedes' for some other poor sucker to throw money at.

Should have bought a W124, and saved myself £12000.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I have the same problem with the front(i think) suspension - but i only get the squeeking sounds when its hot outside - maybe something is gone dry and need some lubrication?
I haven't looked under the car so i can't say if i have any problem with paint or corrosion issues.

Me too. Happened every journey during the heat wave - went to dealer today - barely a peep!!

 

[ds123]

Its your front anti roll bar bushes!

How about that for a quick response!

So the problem shold go away if lubricate or should i change them ??
Does anyone have a picture of these?

 

[Robbo]

I'd get them changed TBH. They are only about £10 each, with about 1 hours labour on top. A good indepedent will sort you out.

 

[sv4]

Bad anti-roll bar bushes causes the sqeaking noise. Knocking noise going over rough road surfaces is caused by the front control arm bearings. These are known wear-and-tear issues with the W203, and are luckily not too expensive to fix. Had them changed on mine after 4 years and rides like new again.

 

[ckember]

just got my car back from the stealers, they have fitted new drop links and anti roll bar bushes, knocking from front drivers side now gone, and the steering, feels stiffer and more precise. Why this wasn't picked up during the last two services I'll never know. Done under warranty too. only three months left!!!!

 

[ddentrec]

Why this wasn't picked up during the last two services I'll never know.

Its all part of the Mercedes-Benz ownership 'experience'.

My neighbour has a VW Touran with an intermittent central locking fault: it is a known issue with Tourans and VW know all about it. But my neighbour did not know that...and the VW dealer keeps telling him to keep retrying the remote key till the doors open!

He has 3 weeks warranty left...and the central locking unit (that is known to be the source of thse problems) costs £800 +VAT. I told him about this fault and he has now challenged the dealer: hey presto - his car is now booked in for a proper fix.

Call me a cynic, but surely the dealer was not holding out on a fixed-labour-cost warranty fix so that he could claim the full labour rate + parts from the owner when fixing this problem out of warranty?

 

[ddentrec]

Update...

OK, stealer has had my car for 4 days, and here is the update:

1. Car was inspected by MBUK, not just stealer.
2. Front suspension bushes and bearings replaced.
3. Both rear suspension arms replaced with 'modified type'.
4. Rear suspension bushes replaced.
5. Rear box of exhaust assembly replaced under warranty due to corrosion.
6. Other quality issues I complained about were dealt with.

Overall, I was surprised. I was really really expecting to be fobbed off with excuses as I have been in the past.

Dealer was, er, dare I say it courteous and professional. I was impressed by an MB dealer for the first time in almost 3 years.

My god, something has changed at the dealers....

 

[Rory]

Yes but have the fixed the groan / squeak, and what was the cause of the list to port?

 

[miro]

OK, stealer has had my car for 4 days, and here is the update:

1. Car was inspected by MBUK, not just stealer.
2. Front suspension bushes and bearings replaced.
3. Both rear suspension arms replaced with 'modified type'.
4. Rear suspension bushes replaced.
5. Rear box of exhaust assembly replaced under warranty due to corrosion.

..

Would it be convenient for me to get the part number of the arms which were installed as I just paid for the overhaul of my front end bushes and bearings and I was very pleased with the results.

I am now going to look at the rear assembly and pick out what it needs.

Now I want to say something off-topic.

The W203 has several serious wiring harness / oil issues.
==========================================
a/ oil in the footwell - capillary action of the transmission harness into the cabin footwell (remove carpet and inspect).

b/ camshaft magnet - at the front of the M111 engine the attached "starter line" feeding into the camshaft adjuster magnet draws oil into the engine harness and destroys the injection controller, o2 sensor, MEunit and other sensors. 5 pound spacer harness and some cleaning, check all modules for oil) (the oil runs INSIDE the plastic coated wires). (repair bill is around 1000 pounds otherwise).

c) Engine wiring harness too short (R170) - rubbing of the harness by the engine causes important wires in the injector circuit to become shorted with the body. Good for about 40Kw improvement / loss

d) Folding mirrors - blinker wire harness gets work harndened from the flexing and snaps for no reason. Remove mirror and repair harness.

I just thought it would be good to check all these given that so many people are likely to benefit from the suspension overhaul then they may as well check these out too.