Helicopter Noise Under Car
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11
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2004 E320 4Matic
Helicopter Noise Under Car
Hello,
My 2004 E320 4Matic sedan with 135,000 miles is making a "helicopter" noise whenever I go over about 40 mph. I just had the alignment/balance done today - it didn't solve the problem. One tire is slightly newer than the others (by a year or so - three are roughly from 9/2010 and have 20K or so; the other is from 9/2011 and has 10K or so), but they are all of the same type.
It is worse on some types of pavement, but is noticeable on all.
Is there a suspension part that tends to wear out and make such a noise? The car does not have Airmatic.
I honestly can't tell whether it is in the front or back.
My 2004 E320 4Matic sedan with 135,000 miles is making a "helicopter" noise whenever I go over about 40 mph. I just had the alignment/balance done today - it didn't solve the problem. One tire is slightly newer than the others (by a year or so - three are roughly from 9/2010 and have 20K or so; the other is from 9/2011 and has 10K or so), but they are all of the same type.
It is worse on some types of pavement, but is noticeable on all.
Is there a suspension part that tends to wear out and make such a noise? The car does not have Airmatic.
I honestly can't tell whether it is in the front or back.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Anybody missing a cat in the neighborhood?
Seriously ... the best guess I can offer is tire delamination ... tire layers coming apart from the inside out. Probably only one tire. That will give a distinct whump whump whump sound that speeds up and slows down in frequency as the car speeds up and slows.
Get someone to ride in the back seat as you drive the car and produce the sound. Have the rider move from one side to the other in an attempt to identify which tire may be the culprit ... if any.
Good luck. Please let us know how this gets resolved.
Seriously ... the best guess I can offer is tire delamination ... tire layers coming apart from the inside out. Probably only one tire. That will give a distinct whump whump whump sound that speeds up and slows down in frequency as the car speeds up and slows.
Get someone to ride in the back seat as you drive the car and produce the sound. Have the rider move from one side to the other in an attempt to identify which tire may be the culprit ... if any.
Good luck. Please let us know how this gets resolved.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11
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2004 E320 4Matic
Update:
Tires are Toyo Proxes 225/55R16.
While I was away, a family member took it back for another alignment at Town Fair Tire. They also took the car to the mechanic for an unrelated cooling system issue.
Mechanic: tires "scalaped" (sic), front tires should be replaced
Town Fair Tire: Camber issue, could not correct. Right front -1.1 degree camber, right rear -1.8 degree camber (both highlighted in red). Left front -1.0, left rear -1.1 (green = OK). Note is attached:
"Adjustment requires the use of an adjustment bolt package, which contains 2 special bolts...allowing for CAMBER and/or CASTER adjustment. See manufacturer's documentation for further information."
Has anyone had this happen? What do I need to buy/who would install it?
Tires are Toyo Proxes 225/55R16.
While I was away, a family member took it back for another alignment at Town Fair Tire. They also took the car to the mechanic for an unrelated cooling system issue.
Mechanic: tires "scalaped" (sic), front tires should be replaced
Town Fair Tire: Camber issue, could not correct. Right front -1.1 degree camber, right rear -1.8 degree camber (both highlighted in red). Left front -1.0, left rear -1.1 (green = OK). Note is attached:
"Adjustment requires the use of an adjustment bolt package, which contains 2 special bolts...allowing for CAMBER and/or CASTER adjustment. See manufacturer's documentation for further information."
Has anyone had this happen? What do I need to buy/who would install it?
