My 1986 340 has just started making a creaking noise in the steering column. The noise is getting progressively louder, although the steering feels the same. There is no play or slackness only a creaking sound. Does anyone know what could have cause this noise and how it could be fixed. The car has been carrying some heavy loads recently which is probably a contributing factor.
I'd be grateful for any help.
Many thanks,
John

probably the topmount bearings, or sagged topmounts

Hello, yes, its probbo the rubber things at the top of the struts which are easily visible under the bonnet. If the rubber gets a bit soft, they judder round as you steer. You can bulk them up with a layer of Sikaflex and it stops 'em creaking for a few months and then just repeat the treatment after that whenever you want creak-free steering. Cheers, bogbasic.

It can also be the bearings that are just under the topmounts.

Many thanks for all of your help. I will look into it.
J.

Be wary of the top mount bearings, the seat collapses and the longer it's left the worse it'll become, it's not a place anyone ever checks
Mine went from this


To this is 4 months (note the total collapse of bearing seat and wear from the spring)


They should look like this (only more black, but white shows you what you are looking for, they are what become the black ones in the above pics. The hairline cracks are where they had to be recovered from a "worn but salvagable" set that had broken around it's spot welds, these were seam welded to give that strength back without creating a high point for the bearing to have to deal with)