Drive axles pinging/clicking noise
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Joined: Jan 2023
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2020 GLS450
Drive axles pinging/clicking noise
Have you guys experienced pinging/clicking noise from the GLS drive axles?
This happens when accelerating from a full stop.
In the beginning, I noticed it when I stop and reverse up on my drive way to get the GLS inside the garage. Then a single ping/click will be heard.
Then, I started noticing the same behavior on stop signs, when GLS stops completely, and then u start accelerating you can hear the same single ping/click.
It is not caused by gear shifts and you can hear it best when windows are opened. The sound is very metallic and its like there is an echo in it.
Hope I managed to explain it to make sense.
Thanks in advance
This happens when accelerating from a full stop.
In the beginning, I noticed it when I stop and reverse up on my drive way to get the GLS inside the garage. Then a single ping/click will be heard.
Then, I started noticing the same behavior on stop signs, when GLS stops completely, and then u start accelerating you can hear the same single ping/click.
It is not caused by gear shifts and you can hear it best when windows are opened. The sound is very metallic and its like there is an echo in it.
Hope I managed to explain it to make sense.
Thanks in advance
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 148
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From: Houston
2021 GLS 450 & 23 GLS 450. Have a Holden Commodore, Jeep, truck, and more
Can you isolate where it is coming from? I had a sound in my 21 GLS when starting with the wheel turned all the way (like when doing a u turn) especially when pulling away from being parked along a curb. You could feel it faintly in the steering wheel/chassis. The dealer replaced multiple cv axles, various drivetrain mounts, etc. Ultimately, they had to spend some time with a tool that checks for frequency at different places where sensors are placed. They determined it was one of the A-arms. Since replacement everything has been fine. Each vehicle has been different. Most common it sounds as if yours is a cv joint causing the issue or a driveshaft. Lots of other possibilities, but a well trained technician should be able to determine the root cause.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Dealers have "Chassis Ears" that attach to the car suspension or other underside components, to sort such noises out.
If they can't replicate with a test drive, they can take the next step - Chassis Ears.
If they can't replicate with a test drive, they can take the next step - Chassis Ears.
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2020 GLS450
@LeadfootCJ7 @mikapen Thanks for your input. Thats the thing, the dealer did not even want to test drive it and said all GLSes are doing that which I do not think to be true.
I was not aware regarding "chassis ears" option but I guess I need to change the dealership and get this checked again.
I was not aware regarding "chassis ears" option but I guess I need to change the dealership and get this checked again.
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
We have the same. This (according to my Mercedes Master Mechanic) this is a known issues with some bearing carrier in the front of the car (or the bearing, I cant recall what one). His advice to me...ignore it until it gets really bothersome. Then replace the bearing....I will call him and have him remind me of what it is (if I ever get time)
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Yeah, a MB “technician” isn’t going to spend the time to isolate and pinpoint the problem with chassis ears. You need a mechanic for that. The technician is just going to guesstimate and start throwing parts at it via your wallet.
whenever we’ve had the ticking noise, it’s been something in a tire. Either a pebble or a nail, screw, even had a bolt in one before. BUT that is not to say your wheel bearing isn’t going bad either. That happens on all cars. I’m about to replace one on an 11 year old VW with 49k miles. And I had two go bad on my former W212 inside of 70k miles. However, I have never heard of “yeah, they just do that” before.
whenever we’ve had the ticking noise, it’s been something in a tire. Either a pebble or a nail, screw, even had a bolt in one before. BUT that is not to say your wheel bearing isn’t going bad either. That happens on all cars. I’m about to replace one on an 11 year old VW with 49k miles. And I had two go bad on my former W212 inside of 70k miles. However, I have never heard of “yeah, they just do that” before.
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
Yeah, a MB “technician” isn’t going to spend the time to isolate and pinpoint the problem with chassis ears. You need a mechanic for that. The technician is just going to guesstimate and start throwing parts at it via your wallet.
whenever we’ve had the ticking noise, it’s been something in a tire. Either a pebble or a nail, screw, even had a bolt in one before. BUT that is not to say your wheel bearing isn’t going bad either. That happens on all cars. I’m about to replace one on an 11 year old VW with 49k miles. And I had two go bad on my former W212 inside of 70k miles. However, I have never heard of “yeah, they just do that” before.
whenever we’ve had the ticking noise, it’s been something in a tire. Either a pebble or a nail, screw, even had a bolt in one before. BUT that is not to say your wheel bearing isn’t going bad either. That happens on all cars. I’m about to replace one on an 11 year old VW with 49k miles. And I had two go bad on my former W212 inside of 70k miles. However, I have never heard of “yeah, they just do that” before.
We spent a ton of time going back and forth, back and forth...with the "ears"...it is a bearing (or bearing holder). I need to stop at the shop and have him remind me what one it is.
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2020 GLS450
We have the same. This (according to my Mercedes Master Mechanic) this is a known issues with some bearing carrier in the front of the car (or the bearing, I cant recall what one). His advice to me...ignore it until it gets really bothersome. Then replace the bearing....I will call him and have him remind me of what it is (if I ever get time)
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Joined: Sep 2025
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2021 GLS 450
Have you guys experienced pinging/clicking noise from the GLS drive axles?
This happens when accelerating from a full stop.
In the beginning, I noticed it when I stop and reverse up on my drive way to get the GLS inside the garage. Then a single ping/click will be heard.
Then, I started noticing the same behavior on stop signs, when GLS stops completely, and then u start accelerating you can hear the same single ping/click.
It is not caused by gear shifts and you can hear it best when windows are opened. The sound is very metallic and its like there is an echo in it.
Hope I managed to explain it to make sense.
Thanks in advance
This happens when accelerating from a full stop.
In the beginning, I noticed it when I stop and reverse up on my drive way to get the GLS inside the garage. Then a single ping/click will be heard.
Then, I started noticing the same behavior on stop signs, when GLS stops completely, and then u start accelerating you can hear the same single ping/click.
It is not caused by gear shifts and you can hear it best when windows are opened. The sound is very metallic and its like there is an echo in it.
Hope I managed to explain it to make sense.
Thanks in advance
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 27
Likes: 6
2020 GLS450
Can you please share how did they diagnose this issue and do u use the factory or CPO warranty to get it covered? Thanks.
Newbie
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2021 GLS 450
not sure if cpo will cover it because in Canada the cpo only covers engine and transmission.
Last edited by aj2002; Sep 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM.
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2021 GLS 450
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2021 GLS 450
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2020 GLS450
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Yep…throwing parts at it. Thats what they do amigo.
bearings don’t click, they grind and hum when going bad. Debris in tires click, and sometime bad u joints on drive shafts. Also loose brake pads can click/rattle around in their seats if they come loose or replaced with non oem pads with new springs. Bearings don’t just “do that” sometimes.
bearings don’t click, they grind and hum when going bad. Debris in tires click, and sometime bad u joints on drive shafts. Also loose brake pads can click/rattle around in their seats if they come loose or replaced with non oem pads with new springs. Bearings don’t just “do that” sometimes.
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 148
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From: Houston
2021 GLS 450 & 23 GLS 450. Have a Holden Commodore, Jeep, truck, and more
@LeadfootCJ7 @mikapen Thanks for your input. Thats the thing, the dealer did not even want to test drive it and said all GLSes are doing that which I do not think to be true.
I was not aware regarding "chassis ears" option but I guess I need to change the dealership and get this checked again.
I was not aware regarding "chassis ears" option but I guess I need to change the dealership and get this checked again.
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
OP, I didn’t realize you’re here in DC too. Save yourself the hassle with the local dealerships. Call Silverstar Motors in Fairfax to look at it. Especially if you’re coming out of pocket for this work and not under warranty. You’re new on here, but I can assure you there isn’t a viable MB dealership worth a crap for real diagnostic work, especially on the VA side. Trust me or not, entirely up to you, but our GLS is not my first MB in the area, but certainly will be our last simply due to the excruciatingly poor dealership support.
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2021 GLS 450
Yep…throwing parts at it. Thats what they do amigo.
bearings don’t click, they grind and hum when going bad. Debris in tires click, and sometime bad u joints on drive shafts. Also loose brake pads can click/rattle around in their seats if they come loose or replaced with non oem pads with new springs. Bearings don’t just “do that” sometimes.
bearings don’t click, they grind and hum when going bad. Debris in tires click, and sometime bad u joints on drive shafts. Also loose brake pads can click/rattle around in their seats if they come loose or replaced with non oem pads with new springs. Bearings don’t just “do that” sometimes.
so they did end up checking the pads and re greasing the slide points and then packed my bearings with more grease and told me the noise is gone…. Well for now it is gone. Hopefully it stays that way but I’ve kept my repair order open at the moment so I can go back if it decides to show back up in a couple days.
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Ok, so are you the original owner? If not, is this a CPO, or are you paying for this yourself? What dealership are you using?
I thought the bearings were closed, meaning you can’t open them to service them. You just replace them. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen a wheel bearing being able to be “repacked” in the last 20 years or so. But, I’m no mechanic myself.
Absolutely keep that ticket open.
I thought the bearings were closed, meaning you can’t open them to service them. You just replace them. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen a wheel bearing being able to be “repacked” in the last 20 years or so. But, I’m no mechanic myself.
Absolutely keep that ticket open.
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2020 GLS450
OP, I didn’t realize you’re here in DC too. Save yourself the hassle with the local dealerships. Call Silverstar Motors in Fairfax to look at it. Especially if you’re coming out of pocket for this work and not under warranty. You’re new on here, but I can assure you there isn’t a viable MB dealership worth a crap for real diagnostic work, especially on the VA side. Trust me or not, entirely up to you, but our GLS is not my first MB in the area, but certainly will be our last simply due to the excruciatingly poor dealership support.
I get they are all busy but it seems to me nobody wants to spend time diagnosing a weird issue.
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From: Saint Louis, MO
2024 GLS450
I get a pop/click noise sometimes when I back out of my driveway, which includes turning the steering wheel full lock. I assume it’s the drive axles, but I feel it’s not repeatable enough to bother going into the dealership. It’s happened several times.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
It's probably not the case for you, but it's possible.
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