E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Differential problem???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 4, 2022 | 11:31 PM
  #1  
clvincent's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 19
e320
Differential problem???

2006 E320 with 330,000 miles

yesterday started hearing a rattling sounds like metal vibrating on something
does it all the time the car is running but seems worse when turning, driving forward

but still some rattle even in park

originally thought it was the muffler

does the driveshaft rotate all the time even in park?
trying to determine if it is ok to drive 45 miles to the shop tomorrow

if it is the diff think i will send it on a wrecker

i dont feel anything weird at all driving the car, no vibration etc
it is just makes a loud rattling sound...
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2022 | 01:39 AM
  #2  
Heguli's Avatar
Super Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 528
Likes: 157
2006 E280
Umm... driveshaft turns when the vehicle is moving, so no, it does not move while in park.
​​​​​​I guess some of the heat shielding has broken off and causing the rattle.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2022 | 02:13 AM
  #3  
clvincent's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 19
e320
hope so , that would be an easy fix!
thanks
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2022 | 11:27 AM
  #4  
doedli's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA
2006 E320 CDI
clvincent were you able to identify the rattle/vibration? I had a similar issue on my 06 E320 (about 215,000 miles at the time) and found the tab on the catalytic converter assembly had sheared... attached image shows tab location (unbroken). On mine the broken half of the tab was still in place, with the bolt holding the two halves together over the crack. This was causing vibrations at low rpms on acceleration and in the situations you described. My solution was to add a washer under the bolt to apply more pressure across the sheared area to hold the two halves tightly together. This has alleviated the vibration for about about 15,000 miles now. Hope this is useful and your issue wasn't more serious.



Reply
Old Jun 13, 2022 | 12:08 PM
  #5  
drchpeteros's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 29
From: MA
e350 4matic wagon 2009
It doesn't sound like differential to me. Differential on my 2009 E350 wagon started to go around 90,000 miles and it was gradual. It started with a low hum which gradually got louder over time. I really noticed around 95,000 When it became quite loud, particularly around 60-70 mph. There was no rattling as you described, just humming or whining. Let us know what happens.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2022 | 06:18 PM
  #6  
ptkacik's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 20
From: Charlotte, NC
2005 E320 CDI, 2015 GLA 250
Wow! 215,000 miles, 330,000 miles!

And these are not diesels. I’m impressed. Although I had a 1992 300TE that I sold at 340,000 miles, the fuel costs were much lower back then.

Cool!
Peter
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2022 | 12:46 PM
  #7  
doedli's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA
2006 E320 CDI
ptcacik - I believe all model year 2006 e320's are CDI... mine is running strong now with about 232,000 miles.

Also I found a picture of the cracked bracket I referenced in my previous post. Hopefully this helps anyone with the same issue, as it took me quite some time to identify this as the source of the vibration/rattle.




Reply
Old Jun 22, 2022 | 06:33 PM
  #8  
ptkacik's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 20
From: Charlotte, NC
2005 E320 CDI, 2015 GLA 250
DOEDLI:

Yikes! I’ll look at that bracket more closely on my 2005 CDI. Where exactly is that? It looks like the transmission bell housing. Of course, once I’m under the car, it will probably be easy to figure out as the catalytic converter is pretty specifically located.

Thanks,
Peter
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 23, 2022 | 09:14 AM
  #9  
doedli's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA
2006 E320 CDI
This should give you a good idea where to look (not my photo). The wheel you see at the bottom left is the front passenger. A bracket links the transmission housing to the tab on the catalytic converter, as seen in the center of the photo.



Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:36 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE