BillEccles

Gentleones,

I've got a E320 4MATIC which has suddenly developed an alarming/annoying rumble when I make tight turns. I haven't had the chance to get out in a large parking lot to try high-speed tight turns, but when parking, in drive or reverse, I get a deep rumble that permeates the car.

It's not power steering fluid--that's fine.

And when I was parallel parking the other day, I thought I heard one of the rear tires scrubbing--almost like the rear diff is locked. So I got the kids to tell me, as I turned into the garage one day, when each rear wheel made a complete rev, and one is definitely turning at a different rate from the other (significantly enough to notice).

So... any suggestions? How many thousand am I in for?

Thanks,
Bill

konigstiger

Have your dealer check VMI (vehicle master inquiry) to see if your vehicle is included in campaign 2007100004 to replace transfer case.

https://mbworld.org/forums/2571251-post86.html

BillEccles

Should have mentioned that it's an '04. Looks like that recall affects 05's or 06's.

But I'll still ask! Can't hurt... much...

Marshall_K

I have this issue but my vin is 20xxxx.
Is there any other reason for this sound?

AMGTestDriverNJ

Your suspension is on springs, right?

BillEccles

As best I know, yup, I've got springs.

No, there doesn't seem to be any other possibility, but I dunno'.

Long Islander

Sounds like a problem I had with one of my BMWs. It had started making a "groaning" sound from the rear when making tight turns (left or right). It started after I had my differential fluid changed. It took me a very long time to figure it out, but someone in the BMWCCA suggested an additive to the differntial fluid made by GM. I believe it was called Limited Slip Differential Fluid Additive. I got some from a Chevy dealer, had my mechanic add it, and the noise went away.

babyblackbenz

Is this problem isolated to the E-Class? I have a 2005 C320 4Matic with 37K miles that has the exact same symptoms as described by the OP.

konigstiger

No, if under warranty mention DTB P-B-28.50/11 dealer should replace transfer case in your 203.084 with optimized part #2032800700, PM email your address if you want a copy.

BillEccles

It turns out that all I needed was new/more torque converter fluid. Once the clutch plates started slipping against each other again, the rear end was decoupled from the front end as it should be, and the rumbling went away.

Whew. $80.

/Bill

babyblackbenz

Thanks, Bill. I'll be visiting the dealer early next week. Let you guys know how it goes.

Carl

TomT

I suspect you've resolved your problem, so I'm curious to know if you just needed to change the differential fluid. I have a '99 and have had a similar problem although it's more often when I go around a curve. The car begins to stutter and skip.

Have you resolved your problem?

babyblackbenz

My problem appears to be solved after only a flush of the transfer case. It was an expensive flush, though -- $650. The dealer flushed the TC about 2,500 miles ago and I've not had any further problems.

BBB

Eich

$650 for a flush of ANYTHING seems outrageous. Do they have to drop the transfer case to do it ? Why on earth would it be that expensive?

babyblackbenz

That's what I get for taking it to Mercedes Benz of Alexandria! Actually, the service bulletin does note that the TC must be dropped (though not completely) in order to replace the fluid.

Carl