HarryFount
New Member
I solved this squeak noise issue on my '99 CLK430 sedan. The noise progressively was getting louder (like a screeching) sound heard by people 50 ft away just driving down the road.
1. It was NOT coming from inside the car but from rear drivers side wheel/suspension.
2. Tried white lithium on everything back their helped 1 day, then back to annoying noise.
3. My mechanic said it was one of the arms and wanted $550 to fix. I didn't want to spend that much so, I replaced it for $50(only 2 bolts really). Good for a day, back to loud annoying noise.
4. I then lifted the rear on ramps and put my ear underneath while someone was pushing down on the suspension. It wasn't the strut, I heard it by the coil (they are near each other, but the sound was obvious).
I dropped the control arm, took out the coil and inspected it. No cracks, but noticed the bottom ring that sits in the control arm groove had the plastic coating worn and metal exposed. Then, I look at the grove inside the control arm were the coil sits and noticed the wear and the metal exposed. The sound was metal on metal under a lot of pressure.
So, here is yet another issue with bad engineering from Mercedes. They pad the top of the coil, but the bottom is protected by only a thin coating?
Once that thin coating wears off, it's a matter of time for the noise! I changed both and no more noise! It drove me crazy for months and I hope this helps someone else in the group.
Cheers,
Harry
1. It was NOT coming from inside the car but from rear drivers side wheel/suspension.
2. Tried white lithium on everything back their helped 1 day, then back to annoying noise.
3. My mechanic said it was one of the arms and wanted $550 to fix. I didn't want to spend that much so, I replaced it for $50(only 2 bolts really). Good for a day, back to loud annoying noise.
4. I then lifted the rear on ramps and put my ear underneath while someone was pushing down on the suspension. It wasn't the strut, I heard it by the coil (they are near each other, but the sound was obvious).
I dropped the control arm, took out the coil and inspected it. No cracks, but noticed the bottom ring that sits in the control arm groove had the plastic coating worn and metal exposed. Then, I look at the grove inside the control arm were the coil sits and noticed the wear and the metal exposed. The sound was metal on metal under a lot of pressure.
So, here is yet another issue with bad engineering from Mercedes. They pad the top of the coil, but the bottom is protected by only a thin coating?
Once that thin coating wears off, it's a matter of time for the noise! I changed both and no more noise! It drove me crazy for months and I hope this helps someone else in the group.
Cheers,
Harry
