Pulling my hair out: front end cracking
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 724
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From: Vancouver Canada
S213 2020 E450 4Matic CDN Spec 07/19 build
Pulling my hair out: front end cracking
Hello all. I've spent the last while spending, while my local independent shop has twice misdiagnosed an issue and cost me an increasing amount of money. I've searched the forum and could not seem to find anything quite like this issue.
Long story short, in the driver-side front, there is a strong and precise cracking noise under the hood, when the vehicle is in motion and turning to the right.
Any suggestions for what to try next? I'm likely selling the car in a year or so, and in good conscience it would not feel right trying to sell the car with a problem known to me.
With luck, might anyone on the forum have some tips what to try next?
Thanks in advance, all!
Long story short, in the driver-side front, there is a strong and precise cracking noise under the hood, when the vehicle is in motion and turning to the right.
- I sometimes get it when turning right and while there's some body flex involved.
- It usually happens when braking is not involved. That said, it can sometimes happen under hard braking or if braking on a steep incline or decline.
- It gets worse the longer I drive. When that's the case, the sound will sometimes change to a creaking noise when in motion and turning the steering to the right.
- Brakes have been completely redone.
- The shop first replaced the left front lower control arm bushings. (210 333 68 14) Didn't help at all.
- They then replaced the left front axle shaft assembly. (211 330 17 01) Didn't help at all.
Any suggestions for what to try next? I'm likely selling the car in a year or so, and in good conscience it would not feel right trying to sell the car with a problem known to me.
With luck, might anyone on the forum have some tips what to try next?
Thanks in advance, all!
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Sounds like something suspension related. Does the indy shop specialize in mercedes? If not, I would recommend visiting one. The W211 has, in my opinion, a weak suspension. Having said that, the creaks etc sound worse than they are. There are so many things that can go wrong, if you can't diagnose it properly the first time, it ends up replacing all of the front suspension. A few places to look: Stabilizer bar link, the strut mount. If you have airmatic and you have the replacement Arnott, the strut mount is known to go bad. Could also be a ball joint, even the little area that attaches to the strut on the spring control arm can go bad. A shop that knows mercedes will know the common issues with the suspension and should know where to look specifically. The dealer will probably fix it, but you will pay dearly for it.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
In addition to what was mentioned above, there's also the sway bar where you can't replace the bushings, you have to replace the entire bar. Then there's also a bunch of bushing, the upper control arm, and the inner/outer tie rods. Really need to get in there and see what's loose.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
The sway bar bushings are available separately - though not from the dealer. Febi is an OEM supplier that offers them. Search eBay and Amazon.
Make sure the noise is not related to an interior creak or rattle - within the dash for example. If you’re sure it’s suspension related and you’re selling the car in a year or two - there are aftermarket complete kits (12 pcs) that are very inexpensive. ~$230 usd. EBay is a good source.
Make sure the noise is not related to an interior creak or rattle - within the dash for example. If you’re sure it’s suspension related and you’re selling the car in a year or two - there are aftermarket complete kits (12 pcs) that are very inexpensive. ~$230 usd. EBay is a good source.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 724
Likes: 50
From: Vancouver Canada
S213 2020 E450 4Matic CDN Spec 07/19 build
Thanks everyone for the observations so far. I also found this note in a very old post:
"DTB P-B-46.40/53 JAN07 Cracking/creaking noises from steering rack area; Washers and nuts between steering mounting plateand sub-frame will be replaced."
From the symptoms I described, is it possible that this might be a potential solution?
"DTB P-B-46.40/53 JAN07 Cracking/creaking noises from steering rack area; Washers and nuts between steering mounting plateand sub-frame will be replaced."
From the symptoms I described, is it possible that this might be a potential solution?
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
Thanks everyone for the observations so far. I also found this note in a very old post:
"DTB P-B-46.40/53 JAN07 Cracking/creaking noises from steering rack area; Washers and nuts between steering mounting plateand sub-frame will be replaced."
From the symptoms I described, is it possible that this might be a potential solution?
"DTB P-B-46.40/53 JAN07 Cracking/creaking noises from steering rack area; Washers and nuts between steering mounting plateand sub-frame will be replaced."
From the symptoms I described, is it possible that this might be a potential solution?
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 724
Likes: 50
From: Vancouver Canada
S213 2020 E450 4Matic CDN Spec 07/19 build
The driver side mount had literally disintegrated, and the passenger side mount was close to failure also. The metal had disintegrated to the point that it was porous and crumbly. I'd not seen anything like it before. The crown of the mount literally sheared off. Whatever the metal composition was, its decomposition was startling.
I had no idea how different the car feels with new mounts. I'd been driving with this condition since late last year!
