GL in the hospital.....
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
GL in the hospital.....
They are replacing the "control arm" and doing a recommended 39,000 mile trans. drain and flush. The control arm is part of a known issue...at least on the 07's.... a very annoying "clunking" metalic sound coming from underneath the the left front floor area. Apparently the bushings don't do their job once the vehicle gets up in mileage. The only solution is replacement of the control arm soooooo.... Hope that does it because the sound it makes is sort of what you expect from a 10yr. old pickup truck!!
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They are replacing the "control arm" and doing a recommended 39,000 mile trans. drain and flush. The control arm is part of a known issue...at least on the 07's.... a very annoying "clunking" metalic sound coming from underneath the the left front floor area. Apparently the bushings don't do their job once the vehicle gets up in mileage. The only solution is replacement of the control arm soooooo.... Hope that does it because the sound it makes is sort of what you expect from a 10yr. old pickup truck!!
STP
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
It could happen on either side and most likely they won't do the work UNLESS you are having the problem. It is a fairly expensive piece of warranty work....the service bulletin calls for them to 1st try squirting a type of wax in the bushing area to see if that cures it.........it did not on mine.....so the next step is replacing the control arm.........just got a call from the dealer....car is ready and noise is gone
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2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
What about the trans. drain and flush? Is this something that you are getting done under warranty? By the way, my 07 is also having that 'clunking noise'. First I thought it was the brake caliper. The car is now at the shop and they are trying to put wax to see if it cures the problem. Isn't wax going to wear out over time? Should I insist on replacing the control arm?
Last edited by MB500; Apr 2, 2009 at 05:19 PM.
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Good to hear about succesful repairs, blittle.
Can you describe what this "clunking" sounded like? Was it at low speeds or all the time? I am also hearing a rattling/clunking from Front left at low speeds.
Can you describe what this "clunking" sounded like? Was it at low speeds or all the time? I am also hearing a rattling/clunking from Front left at low speeds.
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
I just received a call from my dealer when they told me that appropriate grease (wax) was applied and 70%-80% of clunking noise is now gone. They are keeping the car over night and going to test drive it in the morning. I asked my adviser if the noise is going to come back over time but he assured me that most of the time the issue is fixed with wax. Do you guys buy it? How can the noise be 80% gone? It's either there or not.
Oknish, the clunking noise is most noticeable at lower speeds around 30-40mph. I could hear it as I pressed brake pedal. Sounded like brake caliper was hitting brake pad. Almost like a clunk/ping type of noise. Once you hear it you will know for sure.
Oknish, the clunking noise is most noticeable at lower speeds around 30-40mph. I could hear it as I pressed brake pedal. Sounded like brake caliper was hitting brake pad. Almost like a clunk/ping type of noise. Once you hear it you will know for sure.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
What about the trans. drain and flush? Is this something that you are getting done under warranty? By the way, my 07 is also having that 'clunking noise'. First I thought it was the brake caliper. The car is now at the shop and they are trying to put wax to see if it cures the problem. Isn't wax going to wear out over time? Should I insist on replacing the control arm?
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I just received a call from my dealer when they told me that appropriate grease (wax) was applied and 70%-80% of clunking noise is now gone. They are keeping the car over night and going to test drive it in the morning. I asked my adviser if the noise is going to come back over time but he assured me that most of the time the issue is fixed with wax. Do you guys buy it? How can the noise be 80% gone? It's either there or not.
Oknish, the clunking noise is most noticeable at lower speeds around 30-40mph. I could hear it as I pressed brake pedal. Sounded like brake caliper was hitting brake pad. Almost like a clunk/ping type of noise. Once you hear it you will know for sure.
Oknish, the clunking noise is most noticeable at lower speeds around 30-40mph. I could hear it as I pressed brake pedal. Sounded like brake caliper was hitting brake pad. Almost like a clunk/ping type of noise. Once you hear it you will know for sure.
You guys are dead on......there is no such thing as 70% gone.....it's either there or not. Also correct is that it is most noticeable at lower speeds when applying the brake and then somewhat upon acceleration after brake application. Sounds like groaning or clunking metal against metal. Mech. told me that it makes the noise as the weight of the vehicle transfers from back to front on braking. I don't think wax is going to stop an issue like that..... at BEST it might hide it for a while. But wax is no match for the weight of a GL! Mech. also said "no MB should sound like that!) I agree!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Senior Member
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
My dealer has already replaced control arm and will be replacing ball joint to address the clunking noise issue. Just FYI.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
Looks like it. It's on order and should come in on Monday. Control arm has been installed and I cannot hear any clunking noise at all. The old ball joint looks fine to me but I'll let them go ahead and change it anyway. Those joints go out sooner or later.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
This is probably obvious....but....they should do an alignment when all done. The alignment on mine was covered as part of the warranty work.
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
Thank you for the tip.
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
The dealer refused to do alignment under warranty as it claimed that it would not be necessary after changing the upper control arm and the ball joint. I was told that the only time MB would do alignment is when they change the lower control arm. I spoke with three different people at the dealership -- my adviser, MB warranty rep and the shop foreman and they all told me same story. I was also offered to get alignment for $159. What do you guys think? Are they just giving me the 'run around'?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
The dealer refused to do alignment under warranty as it claimed that it would not be necessary after changing the upper control arm and the ball joint. I was told that the only time MB would do alignment is when they change the lower control arm. I spoke with three different people at the dealership -- my adviser, MB warranty rep and the shop foreman and they all told me same story. I was also offered to get alignment for $159. What do you guys think? Are they just giving me the 'run around'?
