M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

2009 ML550 mechanical issue when accelerating

Old Jun 28, 2016 | 08:23 AM
  #1  
flybd5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
2009 ML550 mechanical issue when accelerating

I have an issue with my 2009 ML550 that i know will require a trip to the shop, but I would like to be equipped with information and something resembling a clue before I head there.

Once in a while when I accelerate after coasting, i will hear and feel a "clank" that is coming from what I would make a baldass guess is coming from the connection from the driveshaft to the rear differential. It's definitely somewhere behind the driver and it's a clearly mechanical noise accompanied by a slight "thump". It only happens when I accelerate after coasting. Once in a very long while it happens when I accelerate from a full stop.

What might be some of the more likely reasons for this? I know this is not enough for a diagnostic. I just don't want to go in there to get bull****ted by some German mechanic.

(Unfortunately, my Bull****-o-Meter(tm) does not understand German...)
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2016 | 11:46 AM
  #2  
flybd5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
Originally Posted by Plutoe
Smart move put the car on a lift and while in gear inspect the drive shaft and hopefully it's not the differential!!
Someday I'll have my own lift, but not today.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2016 | 12:59 PM
  #3  
sidewalkman's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
ML550
put on a glove, reach under and twist the drive shaft from side to side, see if you hear anything. I'm not sure what they use on the ends of the drive shafts but they might need replacing.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2016 | 01:52 PM
  #4  
flybd5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
Originally Posted by sidewalkman
put on a glove, reach under and twist the drive shaft from side to side, see if you hear anything. I'm not sure what they use on the ends of the drive shafts but they might need replacing.
Put on a glove? Umm... it's an inspection, not a trip to the ob-gyn. You reminded me of Robin Williams talking about pairs skating.

I will try that.
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2016 | 02:16 PM
  #5  
rwnichol's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2010 ML550
2009 ML550 mechanical issue when accelerating

I had a similar problem on my 2010 550ML and had to have the transmission mount replaced when still under warranty. The noise was also evident upon flooring the gas pedal from dead start.
The new tranny mount fixed the problem.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:33 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE