s-4722

Hi guys, first time posting on the group. Been very informative since owning my E63 W212 RWD.

Just started the car this morning and drove off, ABS AND Traction light come on with loss of power in steering. Check engine light soon after.

So went to a reputable Indy garage and while driving down there, car was making all sorts of grinding noises while driving at slow speeds, so took my time, pulled over and then carried on and so on - made it there anyway without it being too bad but sounds like grinding from the front drivers side wheel area. Now that this has happened, I recall last two three days, car was making some weird noises from front side but they were intermittent so didn’t think much of it. But today it was very different. Came up with all sorts of faults but the mechanic said this is most likely what’s causing it and to replace the front wheel speed sensor. Which I’ll be doing. However my concern is that after replacing this sensor, would it have caused any further damage or is this grinding noise normal as a symptom of this part becoming faulty?

He did reset codes - after which all lights went away but after 2/3 miles of driving without grinding noise (was still making some sort of whining sound intermittently), the lights re-appeared at which point grinding started again. So parked up now and waiting to order the part and get it replaced. Just curious if you guys think this will sort out the sounds it’s creating which were quite loud and of course the harsh driving due to this

S-Prihadi

You best explain if your car is a 4matic or RWD ?
4matic has extra components driving the front wheels, where RWD has none.
Grinding sound is never a good thing.

s-4722

RWD - Edited original post. Thanks

S-Prihadi

Bad reading from wheel speed sensor can produce ABS / ESP DTC.
If the grinding sound and with those DTC, I will suspect front wheel bearings.

If bearing is bad, wheel speed sensor reading can be effected if the tone ring to sensor distance kinda wobble from bad bearing.

Search this forum, I know I seen front wheel bearing change and speed sensor tone wheel rusted away.

s-4722

thanks for this. The Indy thought it’ll be just the sensor based on the fault scan that should fix it but I can’t convince myself that it’s just the sensor that’s causing these noises. He said as sensor is blown, the brakes are locking as they’re not operating correctly as sensor isn’t communicating properly 🥱 - but bearing seems more of a likely culprit.

S-Prihadi

Well, brake caliper semi-jammed up can produce noise too.
Bearing and caliper are easy to inspect DIY.

KlausPA

Curious to know how would that throw a code in the dash.

OP: I assume your indy lifted the car and inspected all moving parts for play and/or obstruction. If everything checks out, then it is the speed sensor. Alternatively, you can swap the location of the sensor with another one and see if you can recreate the issue.

S-Prihadi

I am speaking of pulse/tone ring which is integrated as bearing seal P/N A0259971647 for the front bearing ( RWD car ).
If OP described grinding as in bearing grinding, there is a chance the tone ring get damaged too or moved away from proper position.
Sure, wheel speed sensor can go bad too but OP explained it happened along with grinding sound.

If OP so called grinding sound is from brake caliper to rotor, well lucky him probably only the abs/wheel speed sensor is the problem and a semi-sticking caliper.
I would not call caliper kissing a rotor sound as grinding....unless brake pad gone and only left the steel backing plate hahahaha


Also, don't swallow whole what a scanner explain as trouble code.


Message is faulty can also mean the pulses are not correct, that is the pulse/tone ring territory.

The Indy can reset the DTC without a new wheel speed sensor, that means the wheel speed sensor is not as faulty as REAL DEAD or broken wire inside.
Intermittent fault, sure, possible. But the emphasize on the grinding noise is a scary prospect.

I would chase grinding sound first, it is more urgent. I worry something break at front axle and cause an accident.... touch wood.
Not having ABS capability is no big deal, we all learnt to drive without ABS anyway.

ygmn

the mechanic should check wheel bearing not like it is hard to do when car in the air.
IF he was a good mechanic he would have already.

Just see if tire can wiggle side to side and top to bottom.
ALong with a gritty feel as it rotates.

I believe these have hub bearings so not hard to replace and no worries about pre-load anymore.

s-4722

Really appreciate all your help guys. So we replaced the ABS Sensor with a genuine Mercedes one and the issue hasn’t come back as of yet, however he did the bearing check with moving wheel back and forth and there was slight play. After he completed the sensor, he asked if I’d like the bearing tightened, but upon opening the dust cover for the bearing, he seen that it was damaged and needed replacing as well.

Brake pads and discs are all good. My question is, am I required to replace the whole hub and bearing which come as one piece from Mercedes or can I use a bearing kit from like EuroCarParts etc?

No noise or lights have come on since driving. Visually seeing behind the dust cover means I need to change it before it gets worse so just asking regarding what route to take.

appreciate it guys!

S-Prihadi

Hmm see, bearing indeed damaged.
Buy complete hub is best. It comes with the seal which the seal is also the tone/pulse wheel for the ABS sensor.
US$350 ish for complete hub I seems to have seen the price. No need to extract bearing yada yada.

The front bearing play for RWD car is to be set at 0.01mm if possible, but 0.02mm is okey.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ent-again.html

s-4722

Perfect thanks - I’ll order the Mercedes Driver side wheel hub and bearing. Price is pretty accurate- quoted around £250 for part.

ygmn

complete hub from good brand and you will be OK.

NOTE I would do both sides.