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I have a growling sound that's coming from the right rear of the car and I am assuming this is the wheel bearing. Has anyone replaced the rear wheel bearing on their C43 before? Is it just the 4 torx bolts (red) and the axle nut that goes where indicated (blue) that need to be removed? Can this be done without removing the whole steering knuckle? I'd assume the caliper and rotor have to come off at least.
You should not have an bearing related issues until your car reaches very high miles/km.
In the case of the removing the wheel bearing, it's not heard but it's hard to remove the bearing from the hub. I tried to do the same on my B200 but once I removed the 4 bolts, the hub just came out but also the bearing with it. From what I found out is that the bearing needs to be removed from the hub with a bearing removal tool. The problem with this is that even if you have the tool, the only thing holding the hub are those 4 bolts and the bearing is one time use, so it's pressed in once it's bolted on.
You should not have an bearing related issues until your car reaches very high miles/km.
In the case of the removing the wheel bearing, it's not heard but it's hard to remove the bearing from the hub. I tried to do the same on my B200 but once I removed the 4 bolts, the hub just came out but also the bearing with it. From what I found out is that the bearing needs to be removed from the hub with a bearing removal tool. The problem with this is that even if you have the tool, the only thing holding the hub are those 4 bolts and the bearing is one time use, so it's pressed in once it's bolted on.
I currently have 72,000kms but I forgot to mention I slid into a curb during this past Friday's snow fall . The growling appears around 60km/h, gets to its loudest around 80-100km/h especially when decelerating, but anything past that the noise gets quieter. I haven't noticed if it gets louder when turning and putting more load to the right side of the car. I jacked up the rear end and tested the wheel for any side to side or up and down play but it was solid. I'm assuming the caliper, rotor, and all other suspension components mask play if there is any. The rim is curbed, no tire sidewall damage or leaks, no vibration. I know I will need an alignment but I doubt the alignment will fix the growling which leads to my conclusion on thinking it's the wheel bearing.
Last edited by Prodbyjr; Mar 26, 2024 at 07:11 PM.
Think you are on the right track...I would also assume bearings....am mech inclined but would not want to try anything you gotta punch... pull or press. I kinda got same issue albeit without the curb strike. Am at 107 000 kms now.
Let us know how things turn out after you replace the bearings.
Thx and good luck
I have a growling sound that's coming from the right rear of the car and I am assuming this is the wheel bearing. Has anyone replaced the rear wheel bearing on their C43 before? Is it just the 4 torx bolts (red) and the axle nut that goes where indicated (blue) that need to be removed? Can this be done without removing the whole steering knuckle? I'd assume the caliper and rotor have to come off at least.
Ended up replacing the wheel hub bearing assembly and the noise is gone. Had to remove the 2 caliper bolts, move the caliper out of the way, remove the 4 torx bolts (red) for the wheel hub bearing assembly, and remove the axle nut (blue) to replace it.
Ended up replacing the wheel hub bearing assembly and the noise is gone. Had to remove the 2 caliper bolts, move the caliper out of the way, remove the 4 torx bolts (red) for the wheel hub bearing assembly, and remove the axle nut (blue) to replace it.
That sounds simple, but did you have to remove any of the suspension components to get to the 4 hub bolts (torx); if you have a swivel head socket, will it suffice?
Also, assuming the axle-hub splines are not seized, did you require a press and bearing puller to install/reinstall the hub?
Last edited by jonathan358; Jun 17, 2024 at 03:39 PM.
That sounds simple, but did you have to remove any of the suspension components to get to the 4 hub bolts (torx); if you have a swivel head socket, will it suffice?
Also, assuming the axle-hub splines are not seized, did you require a press and bearing puller to install/reinstall the hub?
None of the 4matic wheel hub/bearing assemblies (front or rear) are pressed into the spindles.
If the car has been in a harsh northern environment (or salt water coastal potentially) you may need a hub puller to separate it from the CV axle end.
None of the 4matic wheel hub/bearing assemblies (front or rear) are pressed into the spindles.
If the car has been in a harsh northern environment (or salt water coastal potentially) you may need a hub puller to separate it from the CV axle end.
Ok sounds simple enough, thanks.
Have the triple square/XZN socket bits and 32mm axle nut socket but opted against swapping out the hub in case i needed the press.
Tbh my bearings sound and feel fine too so I left them alone. Might as well tackle it if it's a simple job then. Hopefully it's not my rear diff that's bad haha
Have the triple square/XZN socket bits and 32mm axle nut socket but opted against swapping out the hub in case i needed the press.
Tbh my bearings sound and feel fine too so I left them alone. Might as well tackle it if it's a simple job then. Hopefully it's not my rear diff that's bad haha
Are you hearing the same thing OP is hearing? When did you change the rear diff fluid and if it wasn't done already, It is unlikely to be bad mechanically and may be solved with fresh rear diff fluid.
That sounds simple, but did you have to remove any of the suspension components to get to the 4 hub bolts (torx); if you have a swivel head socket, will it suffice?
Also, assuming the axle-hub splines are not seized, did you require a press and bearing puller to install/reinstall the hub?
A swivel head socket will work. I took it to a shop because it's just so much easier on a hoist. You also need that leverage because the bolts are fairly tight. Once you remove the 4 torx bolts you can use hammer, pry bar, or slide hammer to get it out. It was not seized on the axle-hub splines and I just replaced the whole assembly so there was no need to press anything out.
Are you hearing the same thing OP is hearing? When did you change the rear diff fluid and if it wasn't done already, It is unlikely to be bad mechanically and may be solved with fresh rear diff fluid.
Not sure what OP is hearing but it's the typical differential whining sound but a LOT worse now over the years. May be unbalanced drive shaft as well, might update if the hubs that i plan on tackling in the next few days don't fix the issue. Gear fluid won't fix it, I frequently change it out.
Originally Posted by Prodbyjr
A swivel head socket will work. I took it to a shop because it's just so much easier on a hoist. You also need that leverage because the bolts are fairly tight. Once you remove the 4 torx bolts you can use hammer, pry bar, or slide hammer to get it out. It was not seized on the axle-hub splines and I just replaced the whole assembly so there was no need to press anything out.
Gotcha, thanks for confirming. And yeah, having a hoist would probably pay off considering the amount of work/time I am under the car. Saving my temple from aches > a couple thousand on an in-home lift for sure haha. Or I can work on trusting my mechanic too
Not sure what OP is hearing but it's the typical differential whining sound but a LOT worse now over the years. May be unbalanced drive shaft as well, might update if the hubs that i plan on tackling in the next few days don't fix the issue. Gear fluid won't fix it, I frequently change it out.
Gotcha, thanks for confirming. And yeah, having a hoist would probably pay off considering the amount of work/time I am under the car. Saving my temple from aches > a couple thousand on an in-home lift for sure haha. Or I can work on trusting my mechanic too
Yes the whining rear differential is a common issue for our cars, but after going through many replacements and actually analyzing the fluid sample, everything looked good. I realized it is just an annoyance and it is mechanically reliable, plus it stops whining completely when the vehicle is warmed up. I am sorry to hear that you are getting such a loud whining, I wonder if our front differentials and centre differentials needs servicing as well?
When did you last do your transmission fluid, what about transfer case?
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2019 C43 Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement
. The growling appears around 60km/h, gets to its loudest around 80-100km/h especially when decelerating, but anything past that the noise gets quieter. I haven't noticed if it gets louder when turning and putting more load to the right side of the car. I jacked up the rear end and tested the wheel for any side to side or up and down play but it was solid. I'm assuming the caliper, rotor, and all other suspension components mask play if there is any. The rim is curbed, no tire sidewall damage or leaks, no vibration. I know I will need an alignment but I doubt the alignment will fix the growling which leads to my conclusion on thinking it's the wheel bearing.
