Strange Cyclical Scraping Sound
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Concord, MA
2013 GL450
Strange Cyclical Scraping Sound
First thing in the morning with a cold GL450. Start vehicle and drive off coasting down a 900 foot 12% grade driveway. While coasting in first gear there is this scraping sound that corresponds to the speed of the vehicle when in first gear. If it shifts up to second, the noise goes away. If it warms up, it won't do it. 
It seems as though that while the transmission is slowing the vehicle during this decent it makes this noise. I thought it could be brakes, but that would not go away when the transmission shifted up to second. At least, that's what I am thinking.
Anyone else experience anything like this? Of course, you'll need to have a house on the top of a hill to try this out. Or at least have a hill to go down before the vehicle gets warmed up.
I think it has been doing this since I picked up the GL 3000 miles ago. I cannot imagine how the dealership will be able to duplicate it. I don't think it is a big deal, but I will bring it up when I bring it in next time.
It seems as though that while the transmission is slowing the vehicle during this decent it makes this noise. I thought it could be brakes, but that would not go away when the transmission shifted up to second. At least, that's what I am thinking.
Anyone else experience anything like this? Of course, you'll need to have a house on the top of a hill to try this out. Or at least have a hill to go down before the vehicle gets warmed up.
I think it has been doing this since I picked up the GL 3000 miles ago. I cannot imagine how the dealership will be able to duplicate it. I don't think it is a big deal, but I will bring it up when I bring it in next time.
Last edited by Steve Maislin; Mar 31, 2013 at 04:33 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
First thing in the morning with a cold GL450. Start vehicle and drive off coasting down a 900 foot 12% grade driveway. While coasting in first gear there is this scraping sound that corresponds to the speed of the vehicle when in first gear. If it shifts up to second, the noise goes away. If it warms up, it won't do it.
It seems as though that while the transmission is slowing the vehicle during this decent it makes this noise. I thought it could be brakes, but that would not go away when the transmission shifted up to second. At least, that's what I am thinking.
Anyone else experience anything like this? Of course, you'll need to have a house on the top of a hill to try this out. Or at least have a hill to go down before the vehicle gets warmed up.
I think it has been doing this since I picked up the GL 3000 miles ago. I cannot imagine how the dealership will be able to duplicate it. I don't think it is a big deal, but I will bring it up when I bring it in next time.
It seems as though that while the transmission is slowing the vehicle during this decent it makes this noise. I thought it could be brakes, but that would not go away when the transmission shifted up to second. At least, that's what I am thinking.
Anyone else experience anything like this? Of course, you'll need to have a house on the top of a hill to try this out. Or at least have a hill to go down before the vehicle gets warmed up.
I think it has been doing this since I picked up the GL 3000 miles ago. I cannot imagine how the dealership will be able to duplicate it. I don't think it is a big deal, but I will bring it up when I bring it in next time.
Last edited by blittle; Mar 31, 2013 at 06:19 PM. Reason: error
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Concord, MA
2013 GL450
Foot is not on the brake when the noise occurs. I will try putting it in neutral tomorrow. That will help narrow this down. It only happens when coasting downhill when the car is just started. Trying reverse sounds like a good idea. I will keep you posted.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Concord, MA
2013 GL450
So, it sounds like it is not a problem from the perspective of being trouble or something that will cause trouble down the road. The way I see it, it is a minor annoyance, but I can certainly live with it. Are you saying that if I report it, I will be told that it is a known issue, but not fixable?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I back out of my garage, go down a 400 foot driveway, then go down a fairly steep hill for about 600 feet. I haven't heard the noise, but will turn off the radio and try sometime in the new future.
I do ride the brake though since it's gravel and don't want rock chips.
I do ride the brake though since it's gravel and don't want rock chips.
