Strange noise from front… ?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Rostov I think I had a similiar noise and they changed all the tie-rods, links bushings etc. they finally changed the control arm and that fixed the noise. It was a very small noise at very low speeds and was very hard to hear but it will eventually get louder but if you are under warranty then get them to change it out now because it takes a fairly long time to get it to be very loud.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Not sure of lower or upper but I know the control arms was replaced last after they replaced everything else.
Correct I have airmatics but if the noise is very little then you may also have a leak on the airmatics but if the shock is gone then it is a very loud thud or your car will just sit on the ground.
Correct I have airmatics but if the noise is very little then you may also have a leak on the airmatics but if the shock is gone then it is a very loud thud or your car will just sit on the ground.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: yorktown, ny
e320
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E240 Elegance 2003
Front thump
I have a noise from the front - sounds like a thump on every revolution of the wheel - it started last summer as a tick-tick-tick noise and now is thump-thump-thump and you can feel it as well from the steering wheel. Local dealer looked at it and found broken rear spring and sticky front break. Big bill for repair but noise is still there!
The noise is only discernable on a) smooth roads (like car parks) and b) between 15 and 20mph!
Any faster then road noise could mask it I think. Any roughness on the road an road noise masks it.
Any clues chaps?
The noise is only discernable on a) smooth roads (like car parks) and b) between 15 and 20mph!
Any faster then road noise could mask it I think. Any roughness on the road an road noise masks it.
Any clues chaps?
Last edited by jdora; May 15, 2009 at 08:46 AM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I have a noise from the front - sounds like a thump on every revolution of the wheel - it started last summer as a tick-tick-tick noise and now is thump-thump-thump and you can feel it as well from the steering wheel. Local dealer looked at it and found broken rear spring and sticky front break. Big bill for repair but noise is still there!
The noise is only discernable on a) smooth roads (like car parks) and b) between 15 and 20mph!
Any faster then road noise could mask it I think. Any roughness on the road an road noise masks it.
Any clues chaps?
The noise is only discernable on a) smooth roads (like car parks) and b) between 15 and 20mph!
Any faster then road noise could mask it I think. Any roughness on the road an road noise masks it.
Any clues chaps?
A bad wheel bearing can damage the spindle assembly and possibly leave the vehicle. You might want to look closely at this one.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: USA
2016 GLE 450 Coupe
Since you can feel it in steering wheel - while care stands still, move the steering wheel right-left rapidly, 10-20 degrees max and see if you get the same noise and play. Could me tir rod.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 16
From: NY
2014 E550; 2003 E500
I have the same rattle noise from my front too. To me it sounds like the air shock, but i had the right side already replaced. The front ball joints were replaced at 80k (now im at 120k). My only other thing i can think of is the inner tie rods? How can those be checked? I have no play on either side of the wheels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: USA
2016 GLE 450 Coupe
The tires that I put on 1.5 years ago were Falken All season – pretty ****ty tires, but I decided to give it a try based on recommendation of the guy that claimed to be a “racer”. 
But I just had another chance to make sure that there is no free lunch! I got ~20K miles out of it. Those could probably go for another 5, but on one of them (RR) the metal court came out. ))
But I don’t think those were the reason for that noise.
There is only one thing could think of - I probably tolled you this sad story before, but… I took this car to the MB dealer for the alignment right after I had those tires replaced. The first time they were not able to make the steering wheel straight and car was pulling to the right, so I brought it back. Another guy performed the alignment for the second time, but told me that the car pulls a side because of the tires that grubbing the roat to much (or some BS like this, idiot)… to make long story short, I took my car to my friend’s garage, he has a lift, and right away figured out that front wheel bearings had too much play. I adjusted it and the pull has gone, the car became perfectly normal.
I think maybe they had something not tighten up enough when did the alignment, so it become even more loose and that noise came up? I am not sure what are the alignment point’s there, but I don’t have another theory at this time.
But I just had another chance to make sure that there is no free lunch! I got ~20K miles out of it. Those could probably go for another 5, but on one of them (RR) the metal court came out. ))But I don’t think those were the reason for that noise.
There is only one thing could think of - I probably tolled you this sad story before, but… I took this car to the MB dealer for the alignment right after I had those tires replaced. The first time they were not able to make the steering wheel straight and car was pulling to the right, so I brought it back. Another guy performed the alignment for the second time, but told me that the car pulls a side because of the tires that grubbing the roat to much (or some BS like this, idiot)… to make long story short, I took my car to my friend’s garage, he has a lift, and right away figured out that front wheel bearings had too much play. I adjusted it and the pull has gone, the car became perfectly normal.
I think maybe they had something not tighten up enough when did the alignment, so it become even more loose and that noise came up? I am not sure what are the alignment point’s there, but I don’t have another theory at this time.
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 16
From: Long Island NY
AMG GTs
I have 04 E500 4matic and had the same problem for a while, so I did the followings and the noise is completely gone ...
Day 1- Replaced lower ball joints- speed bump squeaking and farting is gone, but still have the rattle.
Day 2- Replaced stabilizer bar with the bracket (Came together) and the links. - Same noise.
Day 3- Replaced lower control arm- same noise
Day 4- Replaced shock with upper control arm with attached ball joints....- Same noise $W$T$F$
........
So I changed both tie rods and did an alignment today. -- All noise gone...i probably didnt even have to change the tie rods..
I dont know if i have to be happy or angry...
Now parts for sale: perfectly fine driver side used air shock, used upper control arm.
Day 1- Replaced lower ball joints- speed bump squeaking and farting is gone, but still have the rattle.
Day 2- Replaced stabilizer bar with the bracket (Came together) and the links. - Same noise.
Day 3- Replaced lower control arm- same noise
Day 4- Replaced shock with upper control arm with attached ball joints....- Same noise $W$T$F$
........
So I changed both tie rods and did an alignment today. -- All noise gone...i probably didnt even have to change the tie rods..
I dont know if i have to be happy or angry...
Now parts for sale: perfectly fine driver side used air shock, used upper control arm.
Last edited by djjoonie; Jul 28, 2009 at 11:11 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 16
From: NY
2014 E550; 2003 E500
I PM'ed rostov to see if his sound returned. It did.
DJ, Please update us after about 1000 miles or less to see if the sound returns.
After you changed all of that, my guess is that it would have to be something with the steering rack (inner tie rods?). I'm no mechanic but i tried to carefully listen to the exact location and i cant really define where but thats my best guess. I'll carefully remove the boot this weekend to inspect.
DJ, Please update us after about 1000 miles or less to see if the sound returns.
After you changed all of that, my guess is that it would have to be something with the steering rack (inner tie rods?). I'm no mechanic but i tried to carefully listen to the exact location and i cant really define where but thats my best guess. I'll carefully remove the boot this weekend to inspect.
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 16
From: Long Island NY
AMG GTs
It sucks to hear that Rostov got the sound back…
I will definitely let you all know how long mine lasts.
I think it was 95% the tie rod since the ball joint that was attached to it was very loose compare to the new ones. I’m not sure if it’s inner or outer, but it’s the one that looks like "C" and it attaches to the knuckle by ball joint.
I just hope mine lasts more than 1000miles!!!
I will definitely let you all know how long mine lasts.
I think it was 95% the tie rod since the ball joint that was attached to it was very loose compare to the new ones. I’m not sure if it’s inner or outer, but it’s the one that looks like "C" and it attaches to the knuckle by ball joint.
I just hope mine lasts more than 1000miles!!!
Last edited by djjoonie; Jul 28, 2009 at 05:30 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
.
What are some solid indications of worn bushing? Sound when breaking and turning, a feeling in the steering wheel or floor? etc...
Last edited by iblaho; Aug 8, 2009 at 10:44 PM. Reason: misisng bracket
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 16
From: NY
2014 E550; 2003 E500
Thanks for the update DJ! Can i ask where you got the alignment done? Dealership? how about you, Rostov?
Iblaho,
A bad bushing might leak fluid so it can make it easier to see exactly which one is bad. Otherwise you can try to move it around to duplicate the noise. Usually a bad bushing would be heard as a thump on a change of acceleration/braking/going over a decent bump. Most common to fail is the thrust arm bushing. Our problem was noticeable on small bumps and all of our bushings were good. The sound also was more of a rattle.
Iblaho,
A bad bushing might leak fluid so it can make it easier to see exactly which one is bad. Otherwise you can try to move it around to duplicate the noise. Usually a bad bushing would be heard as a thump on a change of acceleration/braking/going over a decent bump. Most common to fail is the thrust arm bushing. Our problem was noticeable on small bumps and all of our bushings were good. The sound also was more of a rattle.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
.
Thanks. I've experienced that on other cars. It's my first MB and I act like it came from Mars. I think I'll get a manual on DVD or similar.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2004 E500 4 Matic & 1999 230SLK
2004 E500 4 Matic rattling noise on light accelaration
clicking , rattling noise when taking off slowly from dead stop. Replaced ball joints didnot fix problem.Took car to dealer they informed me that I needed to replace 2 motor mounts and rear transmission mount.They quoted a ridicilous price of over $2200. I checked into labour times on Mitchell its approx 3-4 hour job.They said that it was 13- 14 hours. The mounts are only $325. Has anyone ever had this job done? Please report. Thanks Mike
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: USA
2016 GLE 450 Coupe
Ok, guys, of cause it was not a tire problem. The noise came back after a month and ~1000K. And actually it became much worth. (I told you, the good noise always come out!
Yesterday I checked it again, just off ramps, and found the following:
1. The “link’s ball joint on the leftt hand side is pretty much gone – that would kind of id explain the noise that I am getting since the link is connected to the sway bar. I could not see it when the car was hanged on the lift, but it is discoverable when landed on wheels and by now it is in much worth shape.
2. On the right side, the link ball joint seems to be ok, but there is a play – I did not have anybody to help me shaking the wheel (at this time I had the car on the jack), but I have a feeling I will have to replace # 13 (big one) bushings on both sides.
Basically, the next step is to replace # 12 with all the “robbers” in it.
I will keep you posted!
Yesterday I checked it again, just off ramps, and found the following:
1. The “link’s ball joint on the leftt hand side is pretty much gone – that would kind of id explain the noise that I am getting since the link is connected to the sway bar. I could not see it when the car was hanged on the lift, but it is discoverable when landed on wheels and by now it is in much worth shape.
2. On the right side, the link ball joint seems to be ok, but there is a play – I did not have anybody to help me shaking the wheel (at this time I had the car on the jack), but I have a feeling I will have to replace # 13 (big one) bushings on both sides.
Basically, the next step is to replace # 12 with all the “robbers” in it.
I will keep you posted!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: USA
2016 GLE 450 Coupe
