Strange noise from front… ?
For about 3 month now, I have this very strange rattle coming from, as I think, left (driver’s) front of the car. It happens mostly at low, below 40 speed when go over the small bumps/cracks on the road, and sounds like some light object is loose in a plastic bucket, or like something that has to be secured on both ends is loose on one and when car shakes, it hitting surrounding walls, or like if you take an empty plastic milk jar, put small piece of wood in there and shake it with 1 second amplitude. It does not happen when I go over speed bumps, so I guess it has to be more like side to side or front to end motion, not just up/down. Sorry, it is very difficult to explain, but maybe someone experienced it?
I took it to the garage and put it on the lift, but could not find anything loose under there.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Hold on to something tight or be sitting when your mechanic gives you the estimate.
For about 3 month now, I have this very strange rattle coming from, as I think, left (driver’s) front of the car. It happens mostly at low, below 40 speed when go over the small bumps/cracks on the road, and sounds like some light object is loose in a plastic bucket, or like something that has to be secured on both ends is loose on one and when car shakes, it hitting surrounding walls, or like if you take an empty plastic milk jar, put small piece of wood in there and shake it with 1 second amplitude. It does not happen when I go over speed bumps, so I guess it has to be more like side to side or front to end motion, not just up/down. Sorry, it is very difficult to explain, but maybe someone experienced it?
I took it to the garage and put it on the lift, but could not find anything loose under there.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Last edited by konigstiger; Mar 14, 2009 at 06:49 PM.
Thank you all for the input!
I think the issue is resolved - that compressor brackets are loose.
I will replace them (has to be done anyway) and let you know if it did the trick.
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Since I could not find anything else wrong, I hope that will resolve the issue.
I will let you know as soon as I replaced it.
Last edited by rostov; Mar 18, 2009 at 03:28 PM.
keep us informed
Now, if I took my car there just because the car had an issue and they just could not figure it out – that would be ok with me, since computer does not have codes for these kind of issues, and they are not mechanics, they are “technicians”
, but don’t they have to check all that BEFORE they even touch that alignment machine?! I am sure they passed a test on this procedure, and this is required by the book! 
I am sure there are great mechanics out there, but unfortunately you never know who will be working on your car.
The worse thing about this issue is not that they did not know how - they just did not care.
Well after the 3rd time of bringing it in and complaining they paid for the replacement of my woofer speaker.
Or change the dealership or consider to go to a certified MB repair shop. They are cheaper and usually more honest and more likely to work with you. I got 2 of them here and they are great. Both of them here never charge me a dime if I bring the car in b/c of something and if they can't help me. Here and there I bring in a box of beer or so to show my appreciation.

I replaced those robber mounts for the Air compressor, but the rattle is still there.

Well, “a good noise would always come out”. Will let you know when it did.

Next weekend I will get it on that special lift where you can lift the car on wheels and will try to figure it out.
Yes, I'm very interested, since I have almost the same noise.

I replaced those robber mounts for the Air compressor, but the rattle is still there.

Well, “a good noise would always come out”. Will let you know when it did.

Next weekend I will get it on that special lift where you can lift the car on wheels and will try to figure it out.
lets hope. well if anyone else has this problem as in getting the noise to come back i would recomend country lanes to demonstrate to technician/mechanic.
I will fill you guys in on what parts they used or if they have fixed the problem. wish me luck.
I can reproduce the noise by pressing down the left front repeatedly. The laud clicking noise seems to come from the strut. What in the strut/shock can cause that ?
By the way, also checked the airmatic pump. It's a "floating" mount, easily move around by pushing here and there. I assume that it is normal, and the noise when it bottoms out is different from the noise heard when going over bumps.
Rostov, any update on your end ?
By the way, if I had regular suspensions, not Airmatics, the first thing I would check based on my noise would be top mounts. I never dealt with airmatics before and I don’t know how those looks from inside. But this idea did cross my mind.


