Metallic whine sound
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Metallic whine sound
As of late, our C300 has started to emit this metallic whine sound that becomes more high pitched as the car's speed increases. It seems to be coming from the right front. I initially thought it may have been the tires, but the sound is kind of metallic in nature. Is it possible it's a wheel bearing? I thought wheel bearings mostly make noise when you turn and not when going straight, but maybe I'm wrong about this? How would I check for a failed wheel bearing? Are wheel bearing failures common on the C204?
60K miles at the moment.
Thanks!
60K miles at the moment.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
Too many 4MATIC failures (transfer case) requiring ENTIRE transmission replacement since transfer case is PART of the transmission in these W204/X204 cars. Front end whine and noise is the first symptom.
Keep us posted.
Keep us posted.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Thanks. Taking the car to the dealer tomorrow.
If it is in fact the transfer case, how much longer do you think I can drive it like this before it conks out on me? I've got a 200-mile trip to do this Sunday, so this is concerning.
If it is in fact the transfer case, how much longer do you think I can drive it like this before it conks out on me? I've got a 200-mile trip to do this Sunday, so this is concerning.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
Wish I knew. I haven't heard of any "stranded on the side of the road" type of failures of any type on these cars (aside from EIS issues obviously).
As you said, could be a bearing or differential issue too. Or a brake issue.
Let us know what dealer says on Monday, and good luck
As you said, could be a bearing or differential issue too. Or a brake issue.
Let us know what dealer says on Monday, and good luck
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 6
From: Northampton PA
99 E 300TD, 02 E320, 2013 ML350
If you can pinpoint this to the r/f then yes you are looking at a wheel bearing issue. This is pretty common and all of these bearings are sealed units that have to be pressed into the knuckle. You cannot diagnose without putting it on a lift. You have to put in dyno mode and hold the suspected wheel and have someone slowly accelerate. You do this for all wheels you are checking, if the noise comes goes away when you hold a wheel, then there is your bearing issue. The transfer case whine you usually hear more in the center console area. Like stated above, front diff is also suspect but I have only replaced 2 of these for whining in these vehicles. Sounds like transfer case or bearing. I would say you will be ok and not get stranded. You would have to put on some serious miles with this whine for it to actually break. The whine in the case comes from the bearing that the front driveshaft attaches to.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Chicago
2010 Arctic White C300 4matic Sport
Recently, I was perusing CPO C300 4matic models at my local dealer and in the CarFax history report I noted that three of them had transfer cases completely replaced at under 30k miles.
Is this a common weak point for 4matic cars?
Super Member
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
I was afraid of that Pete.
I personally don't understand how Mercedes Benz, the oldest car company in the world, could have under-designed such an integral part of a car. I'm even more disappointed that they haven't recalled the faulty units.
Hopefully they give you some goodwill relief.
I personally don't understand how Mercedes Benz, the oldest car company in the world, could have under-designed such an integral part of a car. I'm even more disappointed that they haven't recalled the faulty units.
Hopefully they give you some goodwill relief.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Luckily the car is still under the extended MB warranty. This warranty has paid for itself many times over by now. Still disappointing. Wife was considering another MB in the future, but based on all the problems we've had with this one, I don't think she'll give them another chance.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Another 4Matic transmission failure. It's like a rash at the moment.
Was the transmission serviced at 39K miles?
Was the transmission serviced at 39K miles?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I find it interesting that these failures only seem prevalent since they integrated the transfer case with the transmission.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
For example, would W211 and W212 E Class 4MATIC cars be safe? Are the Transfer Cases separate? What about ML models?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The W211 did not have an integrated transfer case & never gave trouble. I would have to check the others.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
On a related note, they've given her a 2013 C300 4matic sport as a loaner. I put 200+ miles on it today and I like quite a bit. The trans programming seems more responsive/lively compared to our '08 and of course it has a little more oomph since it's got the 3.5 engine.
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2010 C300
This type of failure is not the result of service/no-service at 39K miles. I think the reason MB pushed the 39K change is partially revenue based, but also a chance to see if there is any early evidence. If seen, it would become a better controlled event, that the owner would take as extraordinary service, rather than something that never should have occurred.
On my 2WD C300, when I did the service at about 50K miles, everything looked quite good, with an even coating on the magnets.
Has anyone had these major issues with the 2WD , or is it the 4WD cars?
On my 2WD C300, when I did the service at about 50K miles, everything looked quite good, with an even coating on the magnets.
Has anyone had these major issues with the 2WD , or is it the 4WD cars?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
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sl 63
Wheel Bearing Noise
As of late, our C300 has started to emit this metallic whine sound that becomes more high pitched as the car's speed increases. It seems to be coming from the right front. I initially thought it may have been the tires, but the sound is kind of metallic in nature. Is it possible it's a wheel bearing? I thought wheel bearings mostly make noise when you turn and not when going straight, but maybe I'm wrong about this? How would I check for a failed wheel bearing? Are wheel bearing failures common on the C204?
60K miles at the moment.
Thanks!
60K miles at the moment.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
