G'day,

Wondering if anyone had any past experiences with the ML 320 (2001) making a creaking sound when traveling slowly, such a parking maneuvering (reversing and forwards), or traveling slowly in traffic when brakes are applied or going over a bump. I have given the roof rails a good grip and rocked the car and it doesn't generate the noise, have also given the front end a good rocking so it doesn't seem to be the suspension, but when the brakes are applied it seems to work in combination with the suspension cause this annoying sound.

The car has not done any off-roading and recently came into my ownership having had a gentle life. It has just over 100,000kms (60,000 miles).

Thanks.

 

I believe that it is your suspension. My ML was doing the same thing, specially over speed bumps even without applying brakes. It's your front lower ball joints. Lay under the front end and have somebody lean over it and sqeeze or rock the car up and down, it should make the noise.
I greased both of them with grease gun using fine grease gun needle to penetrate through rubber booth of the ball joint and the noise was gone in a day.