matt5555

we have a very very annoying rattle in the back of our 02 ml 320.

i'm not sure what is causing it, but the rear cargo bay is empty. it rattles bad over bumps. anyone have any idea?

jswedberg

The rear hatch may be rattling.

There are two rubber bumpers on the body underneath the hatch, one on either side of the opening.

Screw those out a bit and see if that clears it up.

BillM

Sometimes the rear seat needs to be folded down and locked in place for a day. Then return to normal and make sure everything is seated properly(no pun intended). Works for me.

Stiggs

MY ML430 rattles in the back when I go over very hard bumps. Almost sounds like the license plate in the back isn't screwed in right, but I know its the tailgate. Sometimes it sounds like its going to fall off. Never hear it over soft bumps.
I just ignore it, after all, I don't really consider my ML a real mercedes. Not in the sense like my CLK is a real mercedes.
Now please don't yell at me for saying that, its just apples and oranges.
I don't think I will complain about the rattle...hey its a truck, live with it!! Turn the radio up real loud!!

MikeT

the two carpeted metal panels behind the second row seats.

I was getting rattles from the back that I first thought was from the hatch. The ML sounds a lot tighter after I remove the panels. FWIW.

poppi68

however i believe it is the pullover thingy above the cargo area. It is movable and would make a nice hearty noise over a bump. I'm going to put some felt on the tips I believe that will sound this irritating problems. I used to think it was the CD changer because the sound resonates from that side of the trunk. After a year I'm convinced it's the cargo cover.

C43BlkAMG

Yup! Have experienced most of your individual problems in my '99ML430. Had the rear seat bolts and latches caulked. Inside body panel around CD player insulated. Tail gate stoppers screwed out but hard to close and increased air leaks so finally changing the tail gate locking latch seem to minimise the rattel.
Despite the bodywork I love the 430 engine (motor).

I must admit, Stiggs has it right..... ML is not a real Benz??!!

Sandy

I had a rattle in mine as well, that when I sat in the back seat I could not figure out where it was coming from. It sounded like it was coming from the hatch. So, my dog and I sat in the cargo hold and after a lot of poking around, it turned out to be the little door for the tool kit (on the other side of the first-aid kit). I was surprised, that the little plastic door could make so much noise.
I packed the door with some insulation, and it solved the problem. Now I just listen to my lip smacking dog.

Chuck V

I some what agree. Not so much that its are real MB but I think that a lot of the complaints steam from the high expectations of those who have experienced the higher end models. Its not and E, S, or CL. It a truck. I've had rattles for nearly four years. I've tried to get the dealer to fix, but I'm not that ratteled by their failure. I will check out some of the sourced identified in this thread though.

JJunkins

I had that same rattle. I noticed it most when I went to close the gate and rear doors.

I haven't seen this in any of the post........but

Check your HEAT SHIELD underneath your ML close to your exhaust near the rear.

If you notice it rattling while you are idling, then you have you problem there.

pclar001

I've lived with the same rattle in the back of my 02 ML320 for over 6 months before I figured out it was the 2 flaps behind the rear seats. The 2 flaps are at an angle when the rear seats are up and when you hit a bump it rattles loudly, even sounds like it comes from the tailgate. I originally had the dealer readjust the tailgate multiple times and it still occurred. Then one day as I was moving stuff, I placed boxes over the flap and drove over 100 miles and didn't hear a rattle at all. I got some velco and taped down the flaps the rattle is now gone.

kmtadc

I get the same thing in my '02 320

Darkmann

Two possible causes for MY02 trucks. The "cardboards" on the floor behind the scond row seats, and/or the metal part of the 2nd row seatbelts hitting on the C pillar. Readjust the seatbelt position and this is solved. For the floor board, I don't know what the solution is - refit or use some damping foam - yikes!!!

woodyww

My 2003 had a rattle (that is, a “clunk” noise) each time I went over a bump – large or small. I followed the instructions above. No more noise.

bfukumoto

had this fixed on my MY99 ML320 by the dealer. I took it out for a test drive with the tech in the right front seat and he immediately could tell it was coming from the rear seat. I guess there are some mechanical linkages that can be tightened down.

And while I agree the ML320 is not a "real" Mercedes and should not be compared to a luxury sedan, the rattle was very loud and annoying.

Bayer

Yes, the good old Alabama Benz's are not a German Meisterstück ... meaning German master craft.

Clearly when looking at forums, consumer reports and other publications we can see that the ML series made in the good old USA are more Chrysler quality than Benz.

What a surprise.. did they not merge!

But let's not complain too much. If the quality was better the used ML prices would be a lot higher and I would not have been able to afford a 2 year old 430 ML at 50% off new price.

If you check the re-sell value of the real Benz's, as Lexus and other true quality luxury cars, you'll see they are much higher.

So... turn up the music and enjoy the truck ride!!!!

AMG4life

deal with it man. it's built in USA after all

tablahan

I thought i was the only one who had rattles in the back my suspects are the following.

1. Jack inside tool space moves (confirmed; after i put rubber on it it was minimized)
2. Tire wrench (confirmed: i placced this inside the plastic bag supplied by MB for the tires in case it blows up)
3. The three plates (i have a 98) joined to the back of the 2nd row seats
4. Mechanism of 2nd row seats unlatched or unlocked
5. Rear left and right Seat belt anchor in B or C pillar wiggles a little (it slides up and locks down but doesnt lock up) check and you'll notice some play

The quest continues!

SteveB

The license plate rattled on mine. For some reason, most frames only use the top 2 holes to hold it on. I put a blob of silicone on the backside of the lower plate holes & then let it dry before re-installing it. This glued the plate to the frame keeping it from rattling and provided bumpers for the plate to rest on against the lower bolt holes in the gate.