C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Noisy suspension and really noticeable when it's hot outside...

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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 03:18 PM
  #1  
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Noisy suspension and really noticeable when it's hot outside...

I know it's odd but I've never noticed the noise unless it's really hot out and going over any bumps. Kind of sounds like the springs and coming from the front. Anyone else run across this? Car has about 60k on the odometer.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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Mine makes a really peculiar squeaky noise. It makes me think of fresh rubber sliding over metal. Kind of a creaky squeaky noise. My suspension is still stiff though so I've never bothered to look into it.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Biscuit
Mine makes a really peculiar squeaky noise. It makes me think of fresh rubber sliding over metal. Kind of a creaky squeaky noise. My suspension is still stiff though so I've never bothered to look into it.
Since I haven't done the suspension mod just yet, I will pull stuff off this weekend and take a look.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 03:47 PM
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From: Snellville, GA
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Is that the same kind of noise yours is making? If so, let me know what you find when you have a look. The noise does get irritating sometimes.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 03:52 PM
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you get this sound when going over bumps and it comes from the front end? check the motor mounts. i had this problem for 2 yrs and it took me forever to diagnose this. replaced motor mounts (thankfully still under warranty at the time) and havent had the problem since
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:00 PM
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From: Ashburn, VA
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Originally Posted by Biscuit
Is that the same kind of noise yours is making? If so, let me know what you find when you have a look. The noise does get irritating sometimes.
Yep and will do.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by jturkel
you get this sound when going over bumps and it comes from the front end? check the motor mounts. i had this problem for 2 yrs and it took me forever to diagnose this. replaced motor mounts (thankfully still under warranty at the time) and havent had the problem since
Wow. I would have never guessed that and can see why it was hard to figure out. Mine makes the noise just driving with the slightest dip in roads, man hole covers etc. It's to the point people turn and look at the car......I gotta get this to quiet down!
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:05 PM
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yup thats how mine was. i always thought it was something wrong with my suspension. i took many MB techs on drives and, of course, i could never duplicate the noise. when i did, they still couldnt figure out and i would get the car back with noises again. eventually, i finally got a knowledgeable tech to come with me on a drive and i let him drive it. and he just flat out said "motor mounts are bad".....so they replaced my motor mounts and my tranny mounts while they were at it under warranty. and i havent had that noise since. i'm not saying this is 100% your problem, but it sounds like it could be and i would definitely at least get them looked at or inspected
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jturkel
yup thats how mine was. i always thought it was something wrong with my suspension. i took many MB techs on drives and, of course, i could never duplicate the noise. when i did, they still couldnt figure out and i would get the car back with noises again. eventually, i finally got a knowledgeable tech to come with me on a drive and i let him drive it. and he just flat out said "motor mounts are bad".....so they replaced my motor mounts and my tranny mounts while they were at it under warranty. and i havent had that noise since. i'm not saying this is 100% your problem, but it sounds like it could be and i would definitely at least get them looked at or inspected
What kind of mileage do you have on yours? I will check them out as well- thanks.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:14 PM
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i currently have 82K on mine. though i noticed the noise i think around 45-50 and had it replaced at around 55 or 60. its been a couple of yrs.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:20 PM
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Well. I sure wouldn't have expected that. I'm overdue on a service B anyways so I'll get that checked out when I have that done. Thanks JT!
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by jturkel
i currently have 82K on mine. though i noticed the noise i think around 45-50 and had it replaced at around 55 or 60. its been a couple of yrs.
Yeah I noticed it happening on mine for nearly two years....now it's just a pain listening to it. I have 60k on it right now but think it too started around 45k. Since I ride my bike to work, I've been trying to keep the miles on the car low..... off the subject but I ended up putting 2k miles on the bike in 5-6 weeks, miles I saved from the car.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:47 PM
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HA! I have had this exact same issue for some time now. I also assumed it was something to do with the suspension and chalked it up to being lowered with the H&R springs. I also took it to the shop twice (warranty) to have them take a look and each time they replaced something new. Don't remember what exactly though.
I will have to have them look at the motor mounts next time I'm in there. Mine is the same noise but seems to only come from the passenger side front. Any size bump and right turns, big or small, seem to set it off. I have just over 50K on the clock....

I also have what appears to be a slightly leaky head gasket, also passenger side. Have them knock that out while I'm in there.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 04:29 AM
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Originally Posted by trbo2nr
I know it's odd but I've never noticed the noise unless it's really hot out and going over any bumps. Kind of sounds like the springs and coming from the front. Anyone else run across this? Car has about 60k on the odometer.
I had the same issue. My dealer replaced the Sway bar bushings under warranty, and it fixed the issue. They also said that their was a TSB out on those.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by archangel100
I had the same issue. My dealer replaced the Sway bar bushings under warranty, and it fixed the issue. They also said that their was a TSB out on those.
Same here, thrust arm bushings. Unfortunately, the sound is back and I'm out of warranty.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 09:43 AM
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Same noise here at 75k. Approx. how much to replace motor mounts?
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Chazz
Same noise here at 75k. Approx. how much to replace motor mounts?
I pulled stuff off looking at this and does not appear to be the suspension. So, I'm with everyone else with the mounts- at least I want to check and replace. Looking into costs right now.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 04:16 PM
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It's the thrust arm bushings. Also have them swap out the arms as they bend! They replace them with 204 units now due to this issue.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by spr
It's the thrust arm bushings. Also have them swap out the arms as they bend! They replace them with 204 units now due to this issue.
idk. i had those replaced and that didnt solve it for me.

for those of you who think it might be motor mounts are are interested in them, i have found the following. hope it helps:

http://www.parts.com/oemcatalog/inde...layCatalogid=0
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by spr
It's the thrust arm bushings. Also have them swap out the arms as they bend! They replace them with 204 units now due to this issue.
Is that the same as the radius arm bushings? I had the radius arm bushings replaced last year- that wasn't cheap.
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG
HA! I have had this exact same issue for some time now. I also assumed it was something to do with the suspension and chalked it up to being lowered with the H&R springs. I also took it to the shop twice (warranty) to have them take a look and each time they replaced something new. Don't remember what exactly though.
I will have to have them look at the motor mounts next time I'm in there. Mine is the same noise but seems to only come from the passenger side front. Any size bump and right turns, big or small, seem to set it off. I have just over 50K on the clock....

I also have what appears to be a slightly leaky head gasket, also passenger side. Have them knock that out while I'm in there.
It was the sway arm bushings- I think that's what the mechanic said. I trust them completely as he was the only person that figured out my last problem with the torque converter not properly engaging and fixed it. I go to Mar over in Manassas, VA. Great shop and people.
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by trbo2nr
It was the sway arm bushings- I think that's what the mechanic said. I trust them completely as he was the only person that figured out my last problem with the torque converter not properly engaging and fixed it. I go to Mar over in Manassas, VA. Great shop and people.
I wish that's all it was but mine have been replaced (both sides) and it's still doing it on the passenger side. My other thought is possibly the strut.
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG
I wish that's all it was but mine have been replaced (both sides) and it's still doing it on the passenger side. My other thought is possibly the strut.
Struts will cost....will you go with aftermarket?
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 11:12 PM
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From: Keesler AFB, Gulfport, MS
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Originally Posted by trbo2nr
Struts will cost....will you go with aftermarket?
If it actually was the strut that needed replaced, I would shop around of course but am open to whatever. I don't autox the car so I don't need anything super fancy in that regards. Would probably just go with whatever was the best deal and was at least as good as stock stuts.
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG
If it actually was the strut that needed replaced, I would shop around of course but am open to whatever. I don't autox the car so I don't need anything super fancy in that regards. Would probably just go with whatever was the best deal and was at least as good as stock stuts.
The sway arm bushings were the problem. I just got the car back and its nice and quiet.........
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