W209 Structural creaks when changing gears while maneuvering in the garage

[NCOliveira]

Hi all - looking for advice please as there must be people out there with similar issues.

I have a W204 Coupe from 2013 that recenctly bought in Germany.

Specially when first time I pick it from garage, during the maneuvers, when I change the gears, I hear a structural noisy like creaking...

It seems when I put the gears, as I have to brak to change gears, the car exerts a force to go, which causes a movement in the structure and causes these annoying noises.

They seem to come from the springs and brakes.

Does anyone know what it is and how to solve it?

I've tried several damper houses but they say everything is fine and normal for these cars.

Thanks a lot

 

[rf065]

You might want to change the title as a W209 is a CLK.

 

[NCOliveira]

You might want to change the title as a W209 is a CLK.

You're right, I am a rookie and don't know how to change title . I will try now.

 

[noogieman]

Perhaps some of the suspension bushings could be worn or dry rotted?
Automatic transmission gear mount could make noise when you put in gear and take off.

How many km's on the car?

 

[NCOliveira]

Perhaps some of the suspension bushings could be worn or dry rotted?
Automatic transmission gear mount could make noise when you put in gear and take off.

How many km's on the car?

It has 135,000km. Bought in Germany in second hand this year.

I'm trying to figure out where to start to control budgets. The strange thing is that I have already taken two Mercedes workshops to carry out a complete diagnosis and they have not noticed anything wrong.

Perhaps because after hot it is not very noticeable.

 

[grober]

My money is on a broken spring either in the front struts or at the rear. They often break at the end due to corrosion and might appear normal to the casual inspection. Is the car sitting perfectly level on a flat surface ? Other possibilities as already discussed are any of the following ----worn engine, gearbox, prop shaft, differential ,subframe mounts

 

[whitenemesis]

Discs and pads in good order? Perhaps pad material deposited on the discs and a few hard stops might clean up the faces.
If the W204 is anything like the W203 the front crush boxes can develop dry faces and cause creaks as the subframe moves against the front bumper crossmember.

 

[noogieman]

Broken balljoints,bad bushings or loose bolts on suspension could make parts play and make noise.
Rusted and broken springs are dangerous when driving, they could make noise.

You've got lots of things to check out to find your problem.
Take your time and make a thorough inspection from front to rear.

 

[NCOliveira]

Broken balljoints,bad bushings or loose bolts on suspension could make parts play and make noise.
Rusted and broken springs are dangerous when driving, they could make noise.

You've got lots of things to check out to find your problem.
Take your time and make a thorough inspection from front to rear.

THank you so much, I will start by checking the springs. For sure there are other noises that comes from other parts, but I believe have a broken spring. Looking more carefully one side of a car I can insert my two fingers easiley and the other side I cannot insert my two fingers... Thanks. I will keep posting to share with all my experince, can help others.

 

[noogieman]

be careful when you poke around with your hands and fingers in the spring area!
lift your car with the factory jack and remove one wheel at the time.
don't force the springs with your hands or you might get injured if they are broken! be very careful

use a flaslight to see if springs has come apart

 

[NCOliveira]

I went to a shop that specializes in shock absorbers and after an inspection they say they don't have any broken springs.

However, when I place my hand and pass it through the end of the spring, I feel the surface peeling off.

I suspect that at least one of the springs, on the side where the car seats a little, the spring must be tired...

Anyway, this Saturday with some patience, I'll try to do a detailed cleaning first and lubricate it a little. This month he has to go to Mercedes for an A service and I'm going to ask for a diagnosis.

This picture is from right spring that seems to be good:


This spring is the left one that seems at the end to be tired and to peel:



Thanks for your help

 

[Bellow]

It seems when I put the gears, as I have to brak to change gears, the car exerts a force to go, which causes a movement in the structure and causes these annoying noises.

Are you sure that what you hear isn't just the 'graunching' of cold brakes holding the car against the drive forces present on engagement of gears? A sort of 'juddering'?
Repeat the exercise with varying degrees of pedal pressure (from heavy to the lightest that still allows gears to be selected - assuming gear selection when stationary is denied without brake application).

 

[SpikyMikey]

Are you sure that what you hear isn't just the 'graunching' of cold brakes holding the car against the drive forces present on engagement of gears? A sort of 'juddering'?
Repeat the exercise with varying degrees of pedal pressure (from heavy to the lightest that still allows gears to be selected - assuming gear selection when stationary is denied without brake application).

My S204 was very prone to this, particularly when shunting it backwards and forwards in my driveway. The brakes were perfectly ok out on the road and a reasonably thorough inspection of suspension bushes etc by my trusted indy didn't throw up any undue wear. We put it down to being just a characteristic of the car.

 

[markjay]

Just to say that W203 and W204 notoriously suffer from creaking suspension, especially when the suspension cold. There's no obvious reason for it, and no known cure either. That been said, it's always a good idea to check the suspension thoroughly.

 

[whitenemesis]

Just to say that W203 and W204 notoriously suffer from creaking suspension, especially when the suspension cold. There's no obvious reason for it, and no known cure either. That been said, it's always a good idea to check the suspension thoroughly.

Check my post #7 it took my dealership weeks to discover the reason for my S203 creaking suspension ...

 

[noogieman]

Springs can be tired on the passengers side where the battery is in the boot, or on the drivers side if previous owner was a heavy or slim dude?
Stance could be leaning on one side?

Springs on MB do rust and coils do snap.
If this is not the case car is still safe to drive if brakes are OK?