Creaking steering - help!

[mille]

Our Pagoda has developed an irritating crekaing noise when the steering wheel is turned. :x  It sounds as the noise stems from something lacking lubrication and it seems as it comes from just below the steering wheel, at the upper part of the steering column. Does any of you knowledgeable guys know what it is and how to get rid of it? We are planning to lubracate it (whatever it is..) with some silicon-oil. Does it make sence? But, how do we get access - how to get the steering wheel pad off and do we heed to remove the steering wheel also - or even dismantle the steering column further? Or are there any other tricks?

Your urgent assistance is much apperciated as it drives me mad...

Thanks a lot

/Finn

1964 Mercedes 230 SL Euro 4-speed manual silver metallic with black leather

[Douglas]

Silly question, but how is the power steering fluid? Also, how does the belt look?

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[jameshoward]

Finn,

Since you say it's urgent, I'll pipe up although I am only a beginner. To remove the steering pad and so gain access to the nut that holds on the steering wheel, just pull the pad around the edges. It will just snap off. However, all you'll see is a largish nut that holds on the wheel. I very much doubt this is the cause of your problem.

There are 2 bushes at the bottom of the column before it enters the steering box, but in my case a problem with these demonstrated itself by excessive play in the steering. Replacing the bushes cured it. There was no creaking noise, though.

I assume your car has power steering. Along Douglas' line, is the steering linkage properly lubricated? Are the bushes in reasonable condition?

JH

[mille]

Hi Douglas,

I forgot to tell that it does not have power steering.

Best regards

/Finn

[tuultyme]

Check the inside side wall of the tires.  I had a similar creaking sound while turning on my C230.  Turned out that the tires that I had bought when I first purchased the car turned out to be defective; cracks all the way around on the side wall.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL