M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

2015 W166 ML 63 buzzing sound

Old Sep 2, 2022 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
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2016 ML 63 PP. Palladium silver.
2015 W166 ML 63 buzzing sound

Hi.

I noticed a slight humming / buzzing sound coming from the rear of my car today.

Tyres were pretty worn and I thought this was what was causing the sound. I then fit a new set of Good years thinking it would make the sound go away but not so.

the sound still persists. It’s a low key hum / buzz that seems to change in character when I speed up and slow down ( sounds linked to wheel speed )

the sound is not present at stand still.

Any thoughts ?
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Old Sep 3, 2022 | 09:06 AM
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2013 ML550 US spec. Air+Offroad pkg
Wheel bearing or rear differential gearbox? You might want to lift the car (all 4 wheels since 4matic) and put it in gear and listen for source of noise, but the wheel bearings or rear differential is where Id start listening.
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Old Sep 4, 2022 | 09:32 AM
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Propshaft
halfshafts (axle shafts)
wheel bearings
differential (axle) gears or bearings

Wheel bearings can be ruled out if the sound does not change when swerving (carefully) left and right at speed on the highway. They can also be ruled out if the sound does not change with gas pedal on/off application.

Halfshafts usually make a clicking or knocking sounds.

Propshafts usually make a thumping, bumping or knocking sound.

Differential gears whine. Tip in and tip out of the gas pedal at speed when the sound is being created.
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Old Sep 4, 2022 | 11:26 AM
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2016 ML 63 PP. Palladium silver.
Solved

Hi guys

Thanks for the input.

My mechanic had her on the lift. Used his cool acoustic toy ( like a stethoscope ) and localised the noise to the 2 rear wheel bearings ( very faint according to him ). No play in the wheels and overall looks okay but I am replacing them immediately.

Further to that the diff and gearbox was also inspected and all is well.

To note my car is a stage 2 car with 700 Hp and 1000 nm.

Cheers!
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Old Sep 4, 2022 | 09:51 PM
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With 700hp anything that carries torque is suspect.

Propshaft
propshaft rubber coupling
propshaft center bearing
halfshafts
axle differential gears and gearings
axle differential rubber mounts
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