[FlyNikolai]

Hey there guys, I'm new here. Just a quick introduction

I usually just browse around & read the intelligent minds and responses...relating to any issues I have with my car. I'm pretty good at finding the answers (I see you Rudeney lol)

I am decently handy, so I can do/have done work on my car myself. But I don't own a garage or access to a lift, so underneath the car is entirely out of my skill set currently lol.

Enough about me, so here's my issue guys. I live in NYC & let's just say this car is not meant for these roads at all, most of the time I know it despises me for driving it here lol.

My car has 83,000 miles on it, and the pot holes have did a number on my suspension. I was getting a ton of vibration in the front, figured it was a control arm. So I recently replaced the entire front suspension

Got an alignment, it's much better now. Now my issue is with the rear, I'm having horrible squeaking in the rear. From both sides with any little bump I touch.

I'm the kind of guy that when I replace or do a job, I like to just replace everything at the same time for maintenance. So I also have all the control arms & stuff for the rear

Now the same mechanic that did my front, told me that it's the rear suspension subframe bushings that's causing the squeaking. He sent me photos

Just wanted you guys educated opinions on if they actually look bad, and can be a source of rear suspension squeaking. Because I find that a bit hard to believe...

Posted the photos below thanks!

 

[keyhole]

I'm an 'occasional visitor' here...
About your bumpy ride in the city. Does your CLK have the 'sports suspension' feature, which the stiffer springs will give you harder ride. It is listed as CODE 486 on your VIN. Mine does and I have suffered broken front springs caused by those road humps.

The photos don't really help me much here. You have to rock the car to see damaged bushes. The mileage is low, but the car age is probably more important. There is a rubber bushing at the very top of the rear shock absorber, and another at the bottom of the shock absorber where it isfixed to the spring control arm. Both can degenerate with age. Also the gas-filled shock absorbers can lose their 'tension'. I would change both the shock absorbers and the springs on both sides while you are in there.
MB have a range of rear springs with different tensions for different CLK models with different body weights. They are differentiated by painted color codes.

 

[FlyNikolai]

I'm an 'occasional visitor' here...
About your bumpy ride in the city. Does your CLK have the 'sports suspension' feature, which the stiffer springs will give you harder ride. It is listed as CODE 486 on your VIN. Mine does and I have suffered broken front springs caused by those road humps.

The photos don't really help me much here. You have to rock the car to see damaged bushes. The mileage is low, but the car age is probably more important. There is a rubber bushing at the very top of the rear shock absorber, and another at the bottom of the shock absorber where it isfixed to the spring control arm. Both can degenerate with age. Also the gas-filled shock absorbers can lose their 'tension'. I would change both the shock absorbers and the springs on both sides while you are in there.
MB have a range of rear springs with different tensions for different CLK models with different body weights. They are differentiated by painted color codes.

Hey thanks for the reply!

Yes I've heard about the sports suspension code, I believe mine doesn't have it. Didn't see it when I decoded the VIN

I see what you mean, I mean to be honest...I would definitely prefer the squeaking/issue to be from the shocks or bushings on them lol.

I guess I have to just take it to another place, to have someone test drive it for a second opinion. Because the guy who did my front suspension he was a bit of a fast talker...

And replacing that rear subframe would be a headache, from what I'm told. I just wanted to know the common squeak points in the rear

Thanks for your advice I really appreciate it

 

[260e crusier]

Another common squeak point would be the sway bar bushing and links. I lube mine with Wurth HHS Plus.

 

[FlyNikolai]

Another common squeak point would be the sway bar bushing and links. I lube mine with Wurth HHS Plus. View attachment 2644518

I tried lubing mine with some Blaster Silicone Lubricant, but the squeak does come back quickly.

I did notice that when it gets wet in that area from rain, it doesn't squeak as much. That's why I'm having doubts it's the sub frame bushings

I have this set here for the rear suspension

 

[260e crusier]

I tried lubing mine with some Blaster Silicone Lubricant, but the squeak does come back quickly.

Wurth will last longer and is safe for use on rubber. Most petroleum products are not.