Front differential "whinning" noise
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: West Seattle
2012 ML 350 , 2002 C230K
Front differential "whinning" noise
Hey all,
I am about to take my 2012 W166 in for Service B1, and I have been hearing this slight "whining" noise coming from the front only under slight acceleration up to about 25MPH. I have heard people say they have had to have the front diff changed? others have said its normal for 4matics? Have any others heard this? You have to have the cabin dead quiet, windows up, and slowly accelerate... any help would be great! I will mention it to service, but I want to get some feedback to see if I am just paranoid.
Thanks!
I am about to take my 2012 W166 in for Service B1, and I have been hearing this slight "whining" noise coming from the front only under slight acceleration up to about 25MPH. I have heard people say they have had to have the front diff changed? others have said its normal for 4matics? Have any others heard this? You have to have the cabin dead quiet, windows up, and slowly accelerate... any help would be great! I will mention it to service, but I want to get some feedback to see if I am just paranoid.
Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: MN
12 ml350 bluetec, 08 bmw 135i, 12 F250 PSD
It could he a bad wheel bearing as well. I would have the service dept. look into the noise.
We had our front differential replaced (2012 ml350 bluetec) around 40k miles. Have them drain a little diff fluid out and check for metal shavings. The service department said ours was the 3rd w166 front differential they had replaced.
How ironic....had the exact same issue with our previous w164. The front diff was replaced around the same miles. Keep us posted...
We had our front differential replaced (2012 ml350 bluetec) around 40k miles. Have them drain a little diff fluid out and check for metal shavings. The service department said ours was the 3rd w166 front differential they had replaced.
How ironic....had the exact same issue with our previous w164. The front diff was replaced around the same miles. Keep us posted...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: West Seattle
2012 ML 350 , 2002 C230K
It could he a bad wheel bearing as well. I would have the service dept. look into the noise.
We had our front differential replaced (2012 ml350 bluetec) around 40k miles. Have them drain a little diff fluid out and check for metal shavings. The service department said ours was the 3rd w166 front differential they had replaced.
How ironic....had the exact same issue with our previous w164. The front diff was replaced around the same miles. Keep us posted...
We had our front differential replaced (2012 ml350 bluetec) around 40k miles. Have them drain a little diff fluid out and check for metal shavings. The service department said ours was the 3rd w166 front differential they had replaced.
How ironic....had the exact same issue with our previous w164. The front diff was replaced around the same miles. Keep us posted...
Thanks for the info... Did you have to request them drain some fluid out or they did on their own to troubleshoot?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: MN
12 ml350 bluetec, 08 bmw 135i, 12 F250 PSD
They requested me go for a drive with a service tech. After a couple minutes he agreed that there was a grinding noise. After returning to the dealer, the tech put the vehicle on a hoist and used a special stethoscope that was attached to the front diff. This helped pin point the grind location. That is when he drained the fluid and found metal shavings. Had a new differential installed 3 days later. All has been quiet and smooth since.
