sneerz

My 2008 w211 e550 makes a rubbing sound when I turn the car / steering wheel at low speeds. I don't know if it happens at higher speeds but I don't think it does because it only makes the noise when I make full turns, such as coming out of my driveway. I can describe the noise as a rubbing, but it is intermittent such as rub, stop for a few seconds, rub, stop, and it does it when turning the steering wheel. This is the non 4matic version so it couldn't be the transfer case as I have read, and I checked the power steering fluid and it seems like there is plenty. Any ideas? Thanks.

beejAMG

did you hit a pothole recently or changed to bigger size wheels? could be as simple as the tyre or the wheel. try to drive the car slowly while turning and as soon as you hear the rubbing noise, stop and check the wheel well.

sneerz

I have the stock 18's, nothing changed. On the topic of potholes, there are so many here in Dallas that is is inevitable I hit some. I have hit some before I heard the noise, which has been for about a month, and after as well. I had someone stand outside the car while I tried to replicate the noise and they couldn't really pinpoint where it was coming from. I almost think it is coming from underneath the car and not from the wheels themselves. Also its not like a rubbing noise like scraping but more like a thumping noise. It almost sounds like a knocking noise now that I think about it...

sneerz

Anyone have a clue? I drove it around 25 mph and noticed I didn't hear the sound. So I think I've confirmed that it only happens at really low speeds like

beejAMG

i reckon youre better off takin it to an indie with a proper lift. its really hard to diagnose that kind of problem unlesss we experience it first hand. just to give you that peace of mind.

4thtennenbaum

Ive had the same issue on my 2004 E320. I took it in after some rain and couldnt get it to duplicate. After it dried out after a few days it came back in force.

My mechanic friend thought it might be either a ball joint drying out or maybe a rubber gasket at the top of a strut, or the strut itself (he's leaning more that way.)

sneerz

Well I took it in and figured out one of the air struts that was recently replaced was defective. It was still under warranty so it was replaced for free. Kind of worrysome as I thought the aftermarket air struts were more reliable...

beejAMG

not necessarily. unless youre makin a low rider, people convert from air to conventional shocks. good you got it sorted out mate!

4thtennenbaum

turns out it's a squeaky ball joint (one of 6 non serviceable ones.)

some days, quiet, other days sounds like a tire is going to fall off. it doesnt have any play, but ripped the rubber seal so there's some lack of lubrication. yet another sketchy design to require a total replacement. Im up to $900 in ball joints within a year...