Cls 500 front end rattle

Old Feb 15, 2017 | 08:05 PM
  #1  
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12 CLS 500
Question Cls 500 front end rattle

So here is what im dealing with
Im encountring some serious rattle in the front end that i cant locate what is the cause of it specially going over bumps and driving in uneven roads,,any input in this is highly appreciated

Its a 2012 cls 500
Approx 74,000 miles on it

I went ahead and replaced the following
upper and lower control arms
Ball joints
The car felt better yet rattlle still loud and clear

After further inspection done by the mechanic
Tie rods outer and inner needed to be replaced
Both of the air struts needed either be replaced or rebuid
So I went ahead and replaced the tie rods and serviced the front air struts
Still the rattle still exsist,,not as bad as when i started but it is still ther and it is really bugging the heck out of my head

*replaced upper and lower control arms + ball joints ,,checked again all good
* tie rods inner and outer replaced
* air struts rebuilt and they dont rattle no more
*wheel bearing checked ok


What is next?? The mechanic suspect that the steering rack could be the issue,,what are you guys think?
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 08:41 PM
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2008 R350 & 2012 CLS550
Some additional thoughts...

All the items you mentioned are good areas. Three other "checks" to consider:
1> The top of your struts have a bushing that can deteriorate over time. A> we're those bushings replaced with the strut work? B> you may want to check and ensure the top of the strut is bolted nice and tight (and not just the mounting plates but the actual strut bolt itself).

2> Your hood has two "levelers" that ensure the hood stays nice and tight against the latches. It's a long shot but you may want to check and ensure your hood hooks are not rattling in their respective latches.

3> Engine mounts.

Good luck and hope you find the cause!

Best,
Eric
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Old Feb 16, 2017 | 10:57 AM
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how about sway bar itself? or sway bar links?

having the same thing on my e550 airmatic , like a clunking sound when at low speed mostly , or when going over bumps but not too slow.
took it for alignment and turns out my right sway bar link went bad , waiting on it to come in to change it, hopefully itll solve the problem.

sway bar and sway bar links if you havent yet changed those.
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Old Feb 16, 2017 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by embassured
All the items you mentioned are good areas. Three other "checks" to consider:
1> The top of your struts have a bushing that can deteriorate over time. A> we're those bushings replaced with the strut work? B> you may want to check and ensure the top of the strut is bolted nice and tight (and not just the mounting plates but the actual strut bolt itself).


Best,
Eric
really? there is a bushing on the air strut? didnt notice it when i replaced mine...
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Old Feb 16, 2017 | 07:57 PM
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Re: the top strut bushing...maybe the CLS550 doesn't have one but I'd be surprised.

On every car where I've replaced the shocks, there's rubber bushing that sits between the top of the strut and the bottom of the mounting plate. This isolates the metal on metal contact between the two surfaces. The bushing deteriorates over time leading to either metal on metal contact or excessive movement in the top strut mounting.

Just a thought as you search for the culprit.

Good luck!
Eric
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Old Feb 18, 2017 | 02:39 PM
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check the hood stops
i had the same issue and had pretty much everything replaced as you've mentioned
it turned out that it was not properly adjusted hood stops
just something simple to check

dk
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Old Feb 18, 2017 | 02:53 PM
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that was a known isssue on w212 with the hood stops also
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Old Feb 22, 2017 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by embassured
Re: the top strut bushing...maybe the CLS550 doesn't have one but I'd be surprised.

On every car where I've replaced the shocks, there's rubber bushing that sits between the top of the strut and the bottom of the mounting plate. This isolates the metal on metal contact between the two surfaces. The bushing deteriorates over time leading to either metal on metal contact or excessive movement in the top strut mounting.

Just a thought as you search for the culprit.

Good luck!
Eric
I have replaced them after i got the shocks serviced prior the installation

Originally Posted by toothache
check the hood stops
i had the same issue and had pretty much everything replaced as you've mentioned
it turned out that it was not properly adjusted hood stops
just something simple to check

dk
Checked the hood stops and they are tight and no rattelling in the hood area

Originally Posted by belarus27
how about sway bar itself? or sway bar links?

having the same thing on my e550 airmatic , like a clunking sound when at low speed mostly , or when going over bumps but not too slow.
took it for alignment and turns out my right sway bar link went bad , waiting on it to come in to change it, hopefully itll solve the problem.

sway bar and sway bar links if you havent yet changed those.
I took the links off of it and drove around the block,,same issue presists,,i got them replaced while im at it too,,the actual sway bar is fit and tight,,,But now i can tell exactly that the noise clunking rattling sound is coming from the steering rack somewhere while driving with sway bar links off,,specially turning at low speed,,further steering rack inspection required,,thank you all for your input and i will keep you updated with what i find out
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Old Feb 22, 2017 | 03:04 PM
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no problem.
just a lilttle Fyi , got my Sway link replaced , with oem instead of lemforder , and it did fix the issue. no more clunking.

steering rack? sounds like another 300-500 on a part if not more. + labor
I see that you replaced your lower control arm , upper control arm , sway bar links, and ball joints? i would also recommend replacing TIE RODS , just to be comepletely sure , and move on to steering rack. just a thought.
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Old Feb 22, 2017 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by belarus27
no problem.
just a lilttle Fyi , got my Sway link replaced , with oem instead of lemforder , and it did fix the issue. no more clunking.

steering rack? sounds like another 300-500 on a part if not more. + labor
I see that you replaced your lower control arm , upper control arm , sway bar links, and ball joints? i would also recommend replacing TIE RODS , just to be comepletely sure , and move on to steering rack. just a thought.
I did replace the tie rods inner and outer already,,
The problem still presists,,will get the steering rack inspected and see what we will find
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Old Feb 22, 2017 | 07:00 PM
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lol aite man , im outta ideas , i guess steering rack it is.
atleast you refreshed your front suspension now , so u dont have to worry about it later. good luck
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