Just Bought 2006 C230, Tire/Front End Noise At Low Speeds?
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2006 C230
Just Bought 2006 C230, Tire/Front End Noise At Low Speeds?
Just purchased a 06' C230 that has some noise coming from the front end. Intially I chalked it up to tire noise, having noisey Eagle F1's on it. But now I am starting to think maybe its something else....
Basically at low speeds its loud tire rolling noise, as you accelerate it goes away. I was at first thinking tires, or balance issues, but there is no vibration. Just noise. So bearing and hub assy? What are the common issues which low speed noise on the W203?
Thanks in advance!
Basically at low speeds its loud tire rolling noise, as you accelerate it goes away. I was at first thinking tires, or balance issues, but there is no vibration. Just noise. So bearing and hub assy? What are the common issues which low speed noise on the W203?
Thanks in advance!
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I don't know about low-speed, but I've always heard that, due to the suspension, the tires can wear to sound like a bearing noise. I have weird noises, too.
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
It sounds like classic tire noise.
Try rotating your tires, or swapping them side-to-side and see if the noise changes intensity.
Feathered tires can sound exactly like a bad wheel bearing at low speeds (speaking from experience).
Try rotating your tires, or swapping them side-to-side and see if the noise changes intensity.
Feathered tires can sound exactly like a bad wheel bearing at low speeds (speaking from experience).
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Saab 900 SE
I have eagle F1s and find them to be a pretty quiet tire. If its low speeds then it is 99% likely tire noise, its a car its not going to be dead silent, you'll hear the engine running and the tires as you come to a stop or accelerate.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
After my factory supplied tires wore out (about 20k miles), I replaced them with a set of Michelin Pilot Sports (directional). These tires were noisy by about 15k miles. At 18k miles, the noise was so bad, I could no longer stand it. It sounded like failed wheel bearings or worse. I replaced the tires, even though there was plenty of tread still left.
The new tires were so quiet, I fell in love with my Mercedes all over again. This time I bought Pirelli P-Zero Nero tires. I will see how well they perform over time.
I am told Michelin has now made changes in the Pilot Sport line to address the problem I had on my tires.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Almost certainly tyre air pumping noise. Run your hand counter rotation over the tread & feel for feathering & cupping. Common 203 problem & suspension set up transmits the sound. Crap tyres like Conti SC 2/3 make a noise from new & get noisier with wear.
Ideal set up is non staggered. Run non directional quiet tyres like Michelin Pilot Sport 2 or Exalto PE2 & cross rotate corner to corner every 7000 miles & all will stay quiet.
203's are very tyre critical. Once a tyre is noisy there is very little you can do.
Ideal set up is non staggered. Run non directional quiet tyres like Michelin Pilot Sport 2 or Exalto PE2 & cross rotate corner to corner every 7000 miles & all will stay quiet.
203's are very tyre critical. Once a tyre is noisy there is very little you can do.
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