Annoying squeak

[Terranical]

My T2 has developed an extremely irritating squeak which I simply cannot trace.
It only happens on the move, i.e. rocking the car doesn't produce the sound. It sounds like a ball joint or bush, but having gone around everything that moves with a can of spray white grease I have failed to make a difference.

Strangely, under light or normal braking it disappears, coming back the instant the pedal is released. It is not rhythmic as though something were touching a disc, but appears to be totally random, and is not any more apparent when going over bumps than on level roads.
I cannot really tell where on the car it is coming from but feel it is from the os front.
Anyone have any flashes of inspiration?

[Terrano Steve]

Mine started something similar last week my thought at the time was dry wheel bearing but as it fixed it self I know doubt my diagnostic skills

[AlexD333]

So is the noise over bumps or on flat road too?

Revolution if wheel or body related?

[Terranical]

Originally Posted by AlexD333

So is the noise over bumps or on flat road too?

Revolution if wheel or body related?

Happens on flat or bumpy roads Alex, and is random, doesn't seem to be related to wheel revolution.

[macabethiel]

I had an awful creak some years ago on my 230E I thought there was a broken chassis leg ! It went under light braking and was evident between 10-30 mph. No play in any suspension joints no iffy chassis welds.

Was advised it was the nylon seat in the ball joints. After 6 months I couls stand it no longer and I had them replaced. Then I said hello to Silent World!

[elty001]

Could be a squeaky ball joint, carefully pull back the rubber boots on them and give them a dose of spray grease.

[Terranical]

Originally Posted by elty001

Could be a squeaky ball joint, carefully pull back the rubber boots on them and give them a dose of spray grease.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, will give my ball joints a severe talking to!

[macabethiel]

I did not mention it but on my 230E I tried injecting lubricant through the rubber seal with a syringe. It would work for about a week if I was lucky and then came back.

[jims-terrano]

Its not the tailgate skins and spare wheel carrier is it?

[elty001]

Had that on mine when the spot welds broke, was fine until I hit about 50 then it was so annoying.

[rustic]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Its not the tailgate skins and spare wheel carrier is it?

Good point.

If it's a machine gun type noise, then it could be the plastic under chassis fixing bolts and washers are loose.

If it's metalic, it could be the exhaust mounting bracket that attaches to the gearbox, the M8 nuts on the "U" bolt come loose.
Solution, run another M8 bolt onto each thread, and use as a lock nut.

Had them both.

[firebobby]

Man steps

[briggie]

my annoying squeak / rattle , was the guard on the propshaft

[briggie]

could even be something as stupid as a exhaust mount , but ignore me I know nuffin

[Terranical]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Its not the tailgate skins and spare wheel carrier is it?

No, def. not from the rear door, those spot welds broke about two years ago and were drilled out and replaced with 6mm screws and nuts - good call though Jim,thanks.