EROD

Just my luck that I start having issues with the car the moment the warranty expired. Car barely has 34K but just went over the 48-month mark. So anyways, around 15-20MPH I can hear and feel on the left foot rest a slight thump-thump-thump noise coming from the LF wheel area. It's especially more pronounced when braking (almost a slight up and down wobble) and seems to disappear (or at least less noticeable) at faster speeds. I lifted the car checked for any play on the wheel and I can't seem to feel any noticeable play. Spun the wheel by hand as fast I could and can't replicate the sound. No other loose suspension components. Mechanic friend thinks it might be a bad wheel bearing. Any suggestion besides biting the bullet and taking it in to the stealer? Anybody experience anything similar?

BLACKONBLACKC63

Will the noise change the frequent as you take shape left or right turn? if it is then i think your bearing is bad. But this can be your tire. Choppy tire will cause that thump-thump-thump noise Swap tire from left to right, if the noise then transfer from side to side, the problem is your tire. If noise still on LF your bearing/hub prop bad. Good luck.

EROD

I haven't really paid attention to what it does while turning. I'll take a look tomm and do the wheel swap as well see if that helps ID the problem. It would be awesome if it were just a bad tire vs having to replace wheel bearings...don't even want to start thinking how much that woudl run

shades

One way to know for sure is drive the car on a straight road and turn left and right. Turning left will load up the right wheel and turning right will load up the left wheel. This puts a load on each bearing. If one of the bearings is bad you will hear a noise. Usually when you drive faster the bearing makes more noise, so this makes me believe that it might not be your bearing but a defective tire.

shades

Sorry he posted quicker than me...lol

shades

Before swapping the tires, another way to check is while the car is jacked up, spin the wheel and put your other hand on the spring. If the bearing is bad usually it transfers a vibration or grinding feeling on the spring. You'll know when you feel it because one side will be really smooth to the touch

EROD

Thanks for the suggestions guys...I will try all tomorrow in daylight. I don't drive thecar hard at all and am meticulous on the maintenance so I was kinda bum whne this popped up. I hope you guys are right and that it's just a bad tire. The car did sit for about 9 months while I was deployed to the Middle East but wouldnt that have screwed up all the tires and not just one?

m a x i m u s

+1 ... i think it's your tire. replacing the bearing isn't terribly expensive at an independent MB shop, though.

Carterhkrs

OP did you fix your problem? Im having exact same issue with me e55, this footrest vibration/pulls are way to annoying
thnx

adv4nced53

My car does this too. At first I thought it was the bearing but the sound wasn't changing under loading (left/right swerving). I checked the bearings by hand too and nothing. I'm waiting for the tires to wear a bit more before I replace them. I'm sure that will solve it.

khmergod

We are the same. I dont drive often, but when I do, I will know if something is not normal.

I am experiencing the same issue. Getting it checked in an hour. Will update later today.

Merc63

Jack car up and try rock the wheel from the top and bottom. If it has play the bearing is bad.

khmergod

Tech has told me to replace the tire. Inner thread of fronts are worn. 13k miles 30 months on front 235 Conti3s. I think it's about time.

To OP. How many miles on your fronts?

jvanbrecht

FYI, bearings are not hard to replace yourself. I have done it on an Infiniti, Honda and 2 fords. I cannot imagine ours are that different.

EROD

Hey guys, should have posted this earlier but here it is. I took it to the dealer to have them take a look at the problem and let them diagnose it. Two separate techs "agreed" it was a bad bearing and I gave them the go ahead to replace it. Well, they replaced it, took it for a test drive, and....problem was still there. A third tech chimed in and suggested it might be a bad tire like some of you guys had also stated. I told them I wasn't going to pay them for replacing the wheel bearing because they misdiagnosed the problem. I fully expected them to hide behind some obscure company policy but they didn't. They left the new bearing in it and ate the cost of the part and labor. I took it home, ordered a new set of fronts and wouldn't you know it, problem fixed! My old tires were Hankook Ventus V12s with about 9k on them...still had about 60-70% thread left and looked absolutely normal but I guess they were slightly out of round and that was enough to cause that vibration.

khmergod

Good to hear. My PSS come in thurs. Wish me luck. I hope it's just a tire problem.

Carterhkrs

thanx man! Next paycheck Im gonna change my tires/wheels too, will post in this thread if problem goes away

Carterhkrs

Wish you luck mate! Let me please know if it helps you too

Diabolis

Not necessarily - the rocking could just as easily be a result of shot control arm bushings, tie-rod ends or ball joints. If you jack up the car by the control arm itself on the other hand and it still rocks, you may be onto something with the shot bearings diagnosis.

I realize the problem has been resolved - just posting for posterity's sake.

AMGangster

Check the sway bar link ends. Mine came loose and made a clunking noise. Very easy and quick fix.

khmergod

Update.
Changed tires. No more thumping. Car is now riding on rails and feels like I'm flying.