Yuille36

Well, my E63 is at America Service Center today, to have them check her out. As I got a snap, crackle and pop noise, like Kellogg's Rice Crispies coming from the rear end, sounds like suspension, or maybe rear subframe noise. Anyway, the car is under warrenty, so why not take it in. I texted my friend Jack, who is the Shop foreman and Master AMG Tech at ASC, and he said to bring it in, as long as I can reproduce the noise, I'm golden. This noise has been going on for awhile, I thought that it was the rear air springs. I even asked him about if the chassis needs lubricated, I know there aren't any lube points, and grease fittings. I really think that it's the rear subframe, personally. Or maybe some bushing are bad, hell who knows.

Have any of you E55 or E63 owners experienced this popping, or shifting noise, like something is moving around in the rear end? Maybe just maybe the rear subframe bolts need tightening. Or the bushings in the sub frame went bad. I'm leaning more to the subframe, than suspension. I think that maybe, I broke a bolt or the bolts are loose, and that is causing the noise because the subframe is trying to shift around.

It seems to me that the rear end on my E63, seems to have gotten sloppy over the past year or so. I haven’t checked the sub frame bolt or anything. I don't have the "body in the trunk" thump or anything like that.

The symptoms are when I hit bumps in the road, seems like instead of the car just going up and down, it kicks sideways just a little bit to the right. Sort of weird to explain, just seems like the bushings are twisting or something else is loose. Where a typical jolt in the suspension over normal road bumps wouldn't cause the rear end to shift sideways.

I think that my issue is with the rear sub frame. Are rear sub frame bolts, breaking an issue with the W211 chassis. Some people have said that this is a pretty common in these cars. maybe the bushing in the sub frame are spongy and going bad. That might explain the feeling of the rear end moving around. It seems to be an issue with the E55 W211s. Not much mention of the E63s but then again they are younger and not as many on the road. Although they both share the same chassis (W211.)

The E55/63 shares the same subframe as the non-AMG W211s so maybe it's an 'excessive' torque issue on the frame?

Well, I have good news , I was right all along. American Service Center in Arlington VA, just called me, to confirm the fact that the Rear Subframe bushings were in fact bad, thereby causing the subframe to move around on acceleration, hitting bumps etc. That would explain the floating feeling that I get when going off bumps, like the rear isn't fully planted. Also causing the snap, crackle and pop noise. I had a strong suspicion is was the rear subframe, as these cars have no lubrication points or grease fittings. I thought that maybe, I broke off a subframe mounting bolt. They informed me that they need order new sub frame bushings, and the car will be ready for pickup tomorrow. All is well with the AMG Universe once again.

So if you are experiencing these same issues, have your AMGs sub frame bushings checked out.

novae500

Good to hear that things worked out for you. Last time i was there for the leaky fuel sending unit and got no goodwill from ASC at all. Even though it was replaced back in 08. Had to pay out of pocket $956 for it.

Yuille36

It does help to know people there, that is why networking is so important. When you know people they take a special interest in making sure your issues are rectified. I'm not saying that, I have any pull over there. But I do know the AMG Master Tech, as he is a friend of mine. Do I ask for any special treatment, the answer is no. But I will say this, that I only take my car in for warranty issues only. Did you know that the price for service can be negotiated, I've seen people raise hell over the price they been asked to pay. And I've also seen their bill reduced substantially. It seems that the more you raise hell in the dealership, the more their willing to negotiate to get your a** out of their hair

novae500

I did call MB corp and they took my info down. Said it was up to the dealer to make any goodwill on their part. I only take my car there for warranty stuff, but the aftermarket warranty i had didnt cover the fuel filter, so they call it. I even complained to the head service mgr and nothing. I ended up cancelling my warranty and got back $4400 of the $5k it cost me. Not counting the $500 they did pay for some warranty work that was covered.

turbo97se

Please don't say this is so? This is not a BMW M3 ... are all my cars going to have rear subframe issues? Well, I have a bad relationship with Mercedes now ... I lost my cool on the fuel leak thing and chewed out their corporate rep. I am probably on some Mercedes blacklist somewhere now. Oh well. I hate to deal with dealers.

Forrest Gump 9

OP, how many miles on your car?

Yuille36

I currently have 40640 miles on my 07 E63. It should get her back tomorrow evening.

Yuille36

GOOD NEWS

Well, I have good news , I was right all along. American Service Center in Arlington VA, just called me, to confirm the fact that the Rear Subframe bushings were in fact bad, thereby causing the subframe to move around on acceleration, hitting bumps etc. That would explain the floating feeling that I get when going off bumps, like the rear isn't fully planted. Also causing the snap, crackle and pop noise. I had a strong suspicion is was the rear subframe, as these cars have no lubrication points or grease fittings. I thought that maybe, I broke off a subframe mounting bolt. They informed me that the car will be ready for pickup tomorrow. All is well with the AMG Universe once again.

Yuille36

Man, I just received a call from ASC. My car will not be done today , Gary told me that this is a big undertaking. But my friend Jack is on the job assisting the team lead, with this undertaking. They have to remove the exhaust, H-Pipe aft, remove the wheels and tires, entire suspension, airspring, shocks disconnect the drive shaft, then the rear diff and subframe. So that they can press out the bad bushings and press in the new ones. Gary says maybe tomorrow or Friday, but they will also need to due a four wheel alignment, all covered under warranty That's what I'm talking about...covered under warranty woo hoo
I told Gary, while they have everything out, just replace it all, and throw in a LSD , while their at it.

novae500

Good to hear your car is being looked after by Jack!! Is Gary the service mgr that you deal with? I was dealing with Dave and he wasnt really helpful.

Yuille36

I had the appointment with Dave, then it got past on to Dan Moreau, then to Gary. They must have been playing "tag your it", that day.
I know all three of these guys, including Allen Baxter. Gary and Allen, seem to be the two most confident from my experience with dealing with them. And my boy Jack is on the job, getting my baby back on her feet. I decided to take it to ASC instead of MB of Alexandria, which is just around the corner from me. Because, of my friendship with Jack Rolo, and I trust him 100%. He hasn't steered me wrong yet, anytime I have a issue Jack is the first person I call or text.

Yuille36

Well Gary from ASC, just called to tell me my car is done. The bushings were replaced and the alignment was completed. Boy I'm glad to be getting my baby back.

Yuille36

As promised, here are the part numbers for the rear subframe.
Note, both the front and rear bushings were bad all (4) of them.
And the best part, it didn't cost me a dime, all covered under warranty




ouble_Thumbup:ouble_Thumbup:

Yuille36

I talked to Jack, the AMG Master Tech. He said that rear subframe bushings failures are rare. There nothing, I've could have done to prevent it. Just like you can't predict when your airmatic struts or springs will fail, but the parts were cheap, compared to the labor and time needed to take this thing apart. I would hate to think about what the cost would have been $$$$

outrun

Thanks for the heads up on my other thread man. can you rehost those pics? Also, in case I missed it, how much did that cost?

Just noticed it was covered under warranty. Do you have an idea what it would have cost without?

Yuille36

Here are the pictures that contain the part numbers that you asked for.

pimpjuice

does anyone have a picture of the subframe bolt to check?

pimpjuice

sorry guys...rookie move...I found pictures once i clicked the damn search function...I was just under the car and wasnt thinking...LOL