Helicopter Noise Under Car

tkachster · 04-13-2012, 07:27 PM

Hello,

My 2004 E320 4Matic sedan with 135,000 miles is making a "helicopter" noise whenever I go over about 40 mph. I just had the alignment/balance done today - it didn't solve the problem. One tire is slightly newer than the others (by a year or so - three are roughly from 9/2010 and have 20K or so; the other is from 9/2011 and has 10K or so), but they are all of the same type.

It is worse on some types of pavement, but is noticeable on all.

Is there a suspension part that tends to wear out and make such a noise? The car does not have Airmatic.

I honestly can't tell whether it is in the front or back.

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AMGAffalterbach · 04-13-2012, 08:12 PM

Did you check for helicopters under your vehicle before driving?

E320 · 04-13-2012, 08:52 PM

What brand of tires do you have?

Heatwave · 04-14-2012, 10:48 PM

Anybody missing a cat in the neighborhood?

Seriously ... the best guess I can offer is tire delamination ... tire layers coming apart from the inside out. Probably only one tire. That will give a distinct whump whump whump sound that speeds up and slows down in frequency as the car speeds up and slows.

Get someone to ride in the back seat as you drive the car and produce the sound. Have the rider move from one side to the other in an attempt to identify which tire may be the culprit ... if any.

Good luck. Please let us know how this gets resolved.

bfisher · 04-16-2012, 07:49 AM

are the tires cupping? Run your hand over the tread - is it smooth or is 1 edge raised?

tkachster · 04-20-2012, 10:18 PM

Update:

Tires are Toyo Proxes 225/55R16.

While I was away, a family member took it back for another alignment at Town Fair Tire. They also took the car to the mechanic for an unrelated cooling system issue.

Mechanic: tires "scalaped" (sic), front tires should be replaced

Town Fair Tire: Camber issue, could not correct. Right front -1.1 degree camber, right rear -1.8 degree camber (both highlighted in red). Left front -1.0, left rear -1.1 (green = OK). Note is attached:

"Adjustment requires the use of an adjustment bolt package, which contains 2 special bolts...allowing for CAMBER and/or CASTER adjustment. See manufacturer's documentation for further information."

Has anyone had this happen? What do I need to buy/who would install it?

04-13-2012, 08:12 PM	#2
AMGAffalterbach MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA Posts: 1,203 Drives: [2007] Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic	Did you check for helicopters under your vehicle before driving? __________________ 2007 Mercedes-Benz E550 \| AMGAffalterbach

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04-13-2012, 08:52 PM	#3
E320 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 340	What brand of tires do you have?

04-14-2012, 10:48 PM	#4
Heatwave Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 83 Drives: 2007 E350	Anybody missing a cat in the neighborhood? Seriously ... the best guess I can offer is tire delamination ... tire layers coming apart from the inside out. Probably only one tire. That will give a distinct whump whump whump sound that speeds up and slows down in frequency as the car speeds up and slows. Get someone to ride in the back seat as you drive the car and produce the sound. Have the rider move from one side to the other in an attempt to identify which tire may be the culprit ... if any. Good luck. Please let us know how this gets resolved.

04-16-2012, 07:49 AM	#5
bfisher Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 57 Drives: 2008 E320	are the tires cupping? Run your hand over the tread - is it smooth or is 1 edge raised?

04-20-2012, 10:18 PM	#6
tkachster Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 11 Drives: 2004 E320 4Matic	Update: Tires are Toyo Proxes 225/55R16. While I was away, a family member took it back for another alignment at Town Fair Tire. They also took the car to the mechanic for an unrelated cooling system issue. Mechanic: tires "scalaped" (sic), front tires should be replaced Town Fair Tire: Camber issue, could not correct. Right front -1.1 degree camber, right rear -1.8 degree camber (both highlighted in red). Left front -1.0, left rear -1.1 (green = OK). Note is attached: "Adjustment requires the use of an adjustment bolt package, which contains 2 special bolts...allowing for CAMBER and/or CASTER adjustment. See manufacturer's documentation for further information." Has anyone had this happen? What do I need to buy/who would install it?

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