Humming Sound from Wheels - not Bearings
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Humming Sound from Wheels - not Bearings
Hey guys I have this loud humming sound (sounds like when you have a bad bearing) coming from my front wheels. I have just replaced the front wheel bearings, but the noise is still there. It is worth noting that I have Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors and Akebono ceramic pads, but I don't think the sound is brake related. In fact, when I push on the brake, the humming stops. Any idea what this could be from? Thanks
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 315
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From: HOUSTON, TX
'06 CLS55 P030
Check your tires anyway. Check ur brake install make sure the wheels spin free when jacked up---make sure backing plate isnt contact the rotor at any point, but I seriously doubt a brake issue---> Check your driveshaft tunnel insulation, make sure its not hanging down....if not that than its a bearing..change the bearings, inner and outer, make sure you pack them properly, change the RACES, and seals.
Last edited by 516mbtek; Nov 15, 2006 at 01:10 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: So Cal
CLK Cabrio
dude whats up, i have the same humming sound i have the cross-drilled brembos. when you press on the brake it goes away right. its the air flowing through the rotors. i think there maybe a problem with the pads being to close to the rotors and causing the hummming sound on mine. just my 2 cents. upgrading front brakes to c32. see what happens
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
dude whats up, i have the same humming sound i have the cross-drilled brembos. when you press on the brake it goes away right. its the air flowing through the rotors. i think there maybe a problem with the pads being to close to the rotors and causing the hummming sound on mine. just my 2 cents. upgrading front brakes to c32. see what happens
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Decatur, Georgia
1972 280SE 4.5, 1966 220Seb (under restoration), 1993 300TE (3-kids), 2003 Stella (commuter scooter)
It's definitely the pad rotor combination. I say either go back OE or learn to live with it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I just removed a set of tires because of the same issue. My noise was speed related and changed with speed. It might be alignment causing the cupping. This has been a MAJOR issue with my E500. Jim
Banned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 725
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From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
Humming Wheels
When I first got my SL55 I thought for sure
it had a wheel bearing going. Just crappy Pirelli`s
making that noise. It was loud and you could feel it
through the brakes from about 5-20 MPH.
It seemed like it was serious issue. Or so I thought.
My SA said it was tires. He once again was correct.
Got new Michelin Pilots. No more Humming.
it had a wheel bearing going. Just crappy Pirelli`s
making that noise. It was loud and you could feel it
through the brakes from about 5-20 MPH.
It seemed like it was serious issue. Or so I thought.
My SA said it was tires. He once again was correct.
Got new Michelin Pilots. No more Humming.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON, TX
'06 CLS55 P030
sometimes it seems like the (tire) noise goes away when hitting brakes cause the car slows mabe to a speed in which the noise dissipates...I have been a victim of this myself thinking its a brake issue when really a tire. This type of noise is 9 out of 10 times a tire in the real world...but then again this is MBworld so who knows. I have driven loads of cars w/ cross drilled rotors and never really heard any noises....but thats not saying its impossible....slotted rotors on the other hand thats a different story.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 302
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From: Dublin, OH
05 ML350, 85 300D
Again,,,,he is not saying slowing down..he is saying touching the brakes..there is a difference. Brake noise comes from pad vibration..period, you touch the brakes, the calipers apply force, the vibration has to stop....like the old 'squealer' wear indicators. Could even be the ceramic face of the pad, vibrating off the drill holes, with out the proper vibration damper- it will make noise..
He even makes a point of saying..it made it with different wheels/tires on the car....and another guy with the same car/rotor combo had the same noise..hmm maybe we are beating this to death...
He even makes a point of saying..it made it with different wheels/tires on the car....and another guy with the same car/rotor combo had the same noise..hmm maybe we are beating this to death...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON, TX
'06 CLS55 P030
Again,,,,he is not saying slowing down..he is saying touching the brakes..there is a difference. Brake noise comes from pad vibration..period, you touch the brakes, the calipers apply force, the vibration has to stop....like the old 'squealer' wear indicators. Could even be the ceramic face of the pad, vibrating off the drill holes, with out the proper vibration damper- it will make noise..
He even makes a point of saying..it made it with different wheels/tires on the car....and another guy with the same car/rotor combo had the same noise..hmm maybe we are beating this to death...
He even makes a point of saying..it made it with different wheels/tires on the car....and another guy with the same car/rotor combo had the same noise..hmm maybe we are beating this to death...
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, OH
05 ML350, 85 300D
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
When I first got my SL55 I thought for sure
it had a wheel bearing going. Just crappy Pirelli`s
making that noise. It was loud and you could feel it
through the brakes from about 5-20 MPH.
It seemed like it was serious issue. Or so I thought.
My SA said it was tires. He once again was correct.
Got new Michelin Pilots. No more Humming.
it had a wheel bearing going. Just crappy Pirelli`s
making that noise. It was loud and you could feel it
through the brakes from about 5-20 MPH.
It seemed like it was serious issue. Or so I thought.
My SA said it was tires. He once again was correct.
Got new Michelin Pilots. No more Humming.
