I have a 2006 E350 Wagon RWD with 106100 miles on it. Last weekend I had a metal on metal noise appear in the front of the car. I narrowed it down to the left front wheel of the car. while driving it the noise arose and after about 10 miles and a hard bump the noise went away. I thought I lost a wheel bearing so I decided to replace the left front wheel bearings. I purchased aftermarket parts from Orileys and installed them in the car. I learned the hard way about the SBC system as I was not educated on the system and how it preforms. Long story I had the red brake like warning on the dash and no brake in the left front wheel. I purchased a Motive pressure bleeder and was able to bleed all four corners and the red light went away and the brakes seem to function properly. After putting the car back together the SBC seems to be functioning normal as well. So here is my problem when I drive the car and it hits 9 mph the ABS, ESP, and Brake malfunction light comes on the dash and I have reduced steering and no cruise control. I did some research and thought maybe the wheel speed sensor was damaged so I purchased it from MB dealer. A MB tech thought that maybe I did not put the right seal in the car and the WSS was not reading the magnetic pickup. So after a few minutes they pulled a MB seal and decided that my model did not have such a setup. I bought a seal anyways. When I went to put the WSS in I found that the aftermarket inner bearing was a tick to small and did not seat all the way back on the spindle. As a matter of fact the inner race of the bearing was stuck on the spindle and had to be pried off. SO I then went and bought MB inner and outer bearings and installed those with the MB seal. When I put it back together last night I realized after driving it that I had bent the backing plate when prying off the bearing. This damage pushed the seal further in to the hub beyond flat/even with the hub. It also rubbed of the rubber coating and rubbed the metal part of the seal. I also still had all three above warning lights come on. So I bought another MB seal today to install. I know to press it in and not hit it with a hammer. I also plan to press it in with a piece of wood and not with a metal press block. I hope this fixes it but not sure. I have not scanned the car since I don't own one and not sure which is best for the Benz other than SDS. Does anyone know what that WSS is reading. I have had 2 different MB tech say that their is no magnetic pick up in the seal. The WSS lines up perfect with the seal. I have seen others with a similar issue but not much of a resolution. I do not need a BLS since my lights function perfect, car has a new battery less than 6 months old. The problem did not arise until I took the hub apart on the left front corner. Everything else seems fine on the car.


PS I don't need smart *** remarks about working on the car without proper knowledge or that I should have or should take it to a MB dealer. Thanks

 

If the sensor is pointing at the seal and there aren't any notches in the hub, then the pick up is in the seal. And yes this model does have magnetic pickup in the seal. Are your sure you have the correct seal ?

 

yes I believe it is the right seal. Bought it from MB dealer based on my VIN. Seal part number I have is A 025 997 16 47. My only thought is that the seal I installed yesterday which is identical to the above part number was damaged by the backing plate. One it pushed it beyond even with the hub which may be to far for the sensor to read and it also rubbed the seal which may have damaged it. Going to press a new seal in this evening and see if that fixes it. Otherwise to the dealer it goes cause my brain is fried from this thing

 

First to properly bleed the SBC system brakes you need a computer with the proper software to program the system while and after bleeding. This is per an indie shop that just changed the fluid on my E500. Have you had your brake fluid changed? It needs to be changed at least every 40,000 miles.

 

The issue is not brake related. Yes the fluid was changed when I bleed the brakes earlier this week. If it were a brake issue it would set off the red dash warning light and it would come up as soon as the car was started and the brakes were applied. The issue does not occur until the car exceeds 9 mph and it sets off the ABS and Esp. Everything I have gathered relates this to a WSS. My question more than anything was what is the WSS reading? I was told there was no pick up in the seal.

 

ABS and ESP are brake related. Bleeding without the computer may be causing the problem.

 

Brake fluid should be exchanged every 2 years or 20,000 miles, according to maintenance sheets but it really isn't that needed unless your fluid is dark in color... Those sheets are partially bogus anyways.
Yes, you could have caused a issue in regards to bleeding system incorrectly, not likely though.
WSS is magnetic pick up for sure. Since you feel as though buying parts and guessing at what is wrong is more practical then getting a computer on it then i'll only say this, Steering angle sensor faulty, wheel bearing is destroyed, WSS is faulty, or something in your ESP module is bad, which in fact a computer would tell you to a T what is really going on.

You can call me a smart *** all you want, one thing is for certain, guessing gets you no where with German counterparts, mess isn't cheap and is sometimes confusing but hey, that's what diagnostic equipment is for....

I'm slightly confused as to how your replaced wheel bearings, what seals are you speaking of? Did you install the bearing correctly meaning is the magnetic pickup part of the bearing facing away from engine?