rocketd55

Hey guys, I started noticing a noise coming from my left front wheel area a few thousand miles ago. It sounds like something is loose. I can only hear the noise at low speeds (<20 mph) and particularly over imperfect road or over multiple bumps.

I brought my GLK to the dealer who looked at it over the weekend. They said the shock and suspension are both fine. They said they could not only duplicate the noise, but they could find nothing wrong. I went on a road test with the Mercedes technician, who also heard the noise, but it was faint. Of course, the noise never duplicates when I am at the dealer!

As I drive out of the dealer at 7PM, I hear the noise again.

The wheel bearings look fine. I do not hear the noise at high speeds or any speed over 20 mph.

What shall I do? What do you think the noise is coming from?

bghart2003

I'm having the same problem...exactly like you describe...it's like a muffled knocking...I too had mine at the dealer to inspect (2012 GLK 350 4matic)...I thought possibly it was the result of worn tires but I've just put new ones on and the noise is still there....damn.

bop11

Probably either strut or control arm bushings or sway bar bushings. You don't say how many miles on the vehicle.

bghart2003

MINE HAS 38,000

rocketd55

Mine has almost 50K, but the sound started at around 30K. It is a very subtle sound. Can only hear it over bumps. Un-audible on flat roads.

Koenig1

Does sound like a worn/egged shock bushing...Upper strut bushing worn out, perhaps from being loose. Another thought.. I'd read awhile back about a manufacturing defect in the rear GLK wheel-well where some of the welding was missed/defective... robot was having lunch!!!

NYCGLK

any updates on this?

rocketd55

I'm the original poster. The GLK is a 2010 4-matic with sport appearance package... 20 inch rims. My vehicle was built in 2009. I am almost at 50K.


No significant updates. The dealer inspected my vehicle on Saturday and Monday. They gave me a loaner car. The faint noise was duplicated with the MB technician during the Saturday road test. He suspected the steering rack, but did not think it was a safety concern. He thought it was normal wear and tear. In my opinion, I thought the sound was coming from the shock or the sway bar. The sound only is duplicated during road imperfections and bumps.


The shop foreman road tested my car on Monday, but of course, did not hear the noise at all. So I got my vehicle back under warranty without any charges.


I still have the noise. When it becomes more audible, I'm going to go back to the same dealer and will refuse to pay a dime, even after it is fixed.


FYI, my vehicle otherwise has had no problems. It still shifts from gear to gear beautifully. The ride is still the same as it was back when I bought it. Still believe my GLK is a well-built vehicle.


The GLK won the "most dependable CUV" from JD power and associates in 2013.


The Mercedes most recently topped the JD power and associates list at number 2 most dependable brand. I stand by this.

bghart2003

I FOUND THIS ON A SITE THAT POSTS MERCEDES BULLETINS...FOR 2010 GLK
P-B-46.20/52
"MUFFLED KNOCKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 3-13 MPH THESE NOISES MAY BE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE HIGH BREAKAWAY TORQUE OF THE OUTER TIE ROD OR INNER TIE ROD JOINTS DUE TO UNFAVORABLE TOLERANCE OR FRICTION CONDITIONS. IN ISOLATED CASES, A REDUCTION IN THE PRELOAD OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS OF THE STEERING GEAR CAN ALSO OCCUR AS THE CAUSE. THE MOUNTING BOLTS OF THE STEERING GEAR, OUTER TIE RODS, AND/OR INNER TIE RODS WILL BE REPLACED AND FRONT AXLE TOE WILL BE ADJUSTED."
....HOPE THIS HELPS.

rocketd55

Thanks for thre reply. This sounds exactly what I have. It's only audible at speeds less than 20 mph and over imperfect roads. However, the dealer says they inspected this area.... so I don't know what to make of it?

bghart2003

I WOULD BRING THIS BULLETIN INFO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM LOOK IT UP....

vanrooster70

Exact same problems for me. Same year and mileage last year. Turned out the shaft of the shock was rattling internally. it was worse in the cold as everything shrinks a bit in the cold. They replaced front shocks under warranty. Noise went away completely. It was all safe and working properly, just annoying! The rears are starting this winter, but warranty is done now

rmfnla

Any updates..?

rocketd55

no updates. the bulletin posted previously was for a S550.