Front End Squeal - Lower Control Arm
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
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From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
Front End Squeal - Lower Control Arm
Hi all,
I have noticed that when I turn right, at a low speed I hear a very faint squeal. If the windows are up, I don't hear anything. It's not super loud, but it's there, and right now it seems to be coming from the passenger side, and I have only noticed it turning right.
A quick search of the forum makes me think that this could be a lower control arm issue, my car is a 2019 S450, with just under 45K miles.
I have noticed that when I turn right, at a low speed I hear a very faint squeal. If the windows are up, I don't hear anything. It's not super loud, but it's there, and right now it seems to be coming from the passenger side, and I have only noticed it turning right.
A quick search of the forum makes me think that this could be a lower control arm issue, my car is a 2019 S450, with just under 45K miles.
- What would be the best way for me to get further confirmation, before having the take it in to the dealer?
- Has anyone had these replaced under warranty? I still have about 9 months left on the factory warranty
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Pretty common symptom ... around 45k miles the front end starts to squeak. In my car (46.7k miles), it's most noticeable when going over a sudden dip in the road.
The weight of the car over time causes wear in the ball joints and/or bushings, particularly in the lower arms.
If it were me, I'd go first to your trusty independent shop for a diagnosis and quote and then call the dealer to ask about warranty and what they'd charge. Suspension arms are the ultimate low-tech parts and well suited to an independent shop. They may very well be considered wear parts and not covered by the mfg warranty.
The weight of the car over time causes wear in the ball joints and/or bushings, particularly in the lower arms.
If it were me, I'd go first to your trusty independent shop for a diagnosis and quote and then call the dealer to ask about warranty and what they'd charge. Suspension arms are the ultimate low-tech parts and well suited to an independent shop. They may very well be considered wear parts and not covered by the mfg warranty.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Aug 2, 2022 at 12:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
So six weeks later I haven't made the time to get to the dealership, and last night with the windows down, Oh My God was the squeal awful! So loud, I called the dealership this morning, my SA is out until Monday and they are looking at least two weeks out 
I did a quick bit of research and decided to hit the LCA bushings with some silicon, but the ball joints are all behind boots, so I can't really get to them.
After a quick test drive it seems like the squeal/squeak is less, but it's still there.
What experience/thoughts do ya'll have on how long it's OK to drive with this noise? It only happens when almost at a stop, and I hear it when braking, and just letting the engine brake and slow the car.
Thanks
I did a quick bit of research and decided to hit the LCA bushings with some silicon, but the ball joints are all behind boots, so I can't really get to them.
After a quick test drive it seems like the squeal/squeak is less, but it's still there.
What experience/thoughts do ya'll have on how long it's OK to drive with this noise? It only happens when almost at a stop, and I hear it when braking, and just letting the engine brake and slow the car.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
Thanks @JohnLane , you confirmed my thoughts/fears! I am going to stop by the dealership tomorrow and see if they can squeeze me in!
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 254
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
Pretty common symptom ... around 45k miles the front end starts to squeak. In my car (46.7k miles), it's most noticeable when going over a sudden dip in the road.
The weight of the car over time causes wear in the ball joints and/or bushings, particularly in the lower arms.
If it were me, I'd go first to your trusty independent shop for a diagnosis and quote and then call the dealer to ask about warranty and what they'd charge. Suspension arms are the ultimate low-tech parts and well suited to an independent shop. They may very well be considered wear parts and not covered by the mfg warranty.
The weight of the car over time causes wear in the ball joints and/or bushings, particularly in the lower arms.
If it were me, I'd go first to your trusty independent shop for a diagnosis and quote and then call the dealer to ask about warranty and what they'd charge. Suspension arms are the ultimate low-tech parts and well suited to an independent shop. They may very well be considered wear parts and not covered by the mfg warranty.
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222 S-65
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
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From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
it’s embarrassing that an S Class makes a sound like this 😳
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From: Phoenix
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
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From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
Dropped it at the dealership, SA was able to fit me in today, despite what their scheduling says!
I am sure I seeing if I picked up a stone or something between the rotor and pad. But there is still a squeak.
hopefully they can get it sorted, under warranty!!
I am sure I seeing if I picked up a stone or something between the rotor and pad. But there is still a squeak.
hopefully they can get it sorted, under warranty!!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 256
Likes: 119
From: Florida
S550
Hi all,
I have noticed that when I turn right, at a low speed I hear a very faint squeal. If the windows are up, I don't hear anything. It's not super loud, but it's there, and right now it seems to be coming from the passenger side, and I have only noticed it turning right.
A quick search of the forum makes me think that this could be a lower control arm issue, my car is a 2019 S450, with just under 45K miles.
I have noticed that when I turn right, at a low speed I hear a very faint squeal. If the windows are up, I don't hear anything. It's not super loud, but it's there, and right now it seems to be coming from the passenger side, and I have only noticed it turning right.
A quick search of the forum makes me think that this could be a lower control arm issue, my car is a 2019 S450, with just under 45K miles.
- What would be the best way for me to get further confirmation, before having the take it in to the dealer?
- Has anyone had these replaced under warranty? I still have about 9 months left on the factory warranty
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
Hi folks I have a rather embarrassing update on this 
It turns out that the huge amount of noise that I started to hear was due to something getting in between the rear rotor and pad, it bent the pad, which then disintegrated and ended up being metal on metal
So now I have new, dealer installed, rear rotors and pads
, just a small unexpected expense 
.
I'm picking the car up tomorrow, I just can't get there tonight, and I will see if there is still a little squeak at low speed when turning right.
It turns out that the huge amount of noise that I started to hear was due to something getting in between the rear rotor and pad, it bent the pad, which then disintegrated and ended up being metal on metal
So now I have new, dealer installed, rear rotors and pads
, just a small unexpected expense .I'm picking the car up tomorrow, I just can't get there tonight, and I will see if there is still a little squeak at low speed when turning right.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 67
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2017 S 550
Maybe not so unusual. My son in law has a long crushed stone drive way *almost 1/2 mile) I picked up a stone in between the rotor and pad. Made a heck of a noise. Was no where near any place to service it properly. Worked it's way out after about 5 minutes. No permanent damage to rotor or pad, just an ungodly sound.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
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From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
All fixed no, just picked it up from the dealer. Originally the sound was very quiet and I only really noticed it pulling into my garage. Having just come home from the dealership, I didn't notice any noise pulling into the garage, I have no idea how this happened, all I know is that it cost a pretty penny, and next time I will pull all the wheels off and take a look!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
