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Exactly what is done with the wind noise/whistling/chirping TSB for the front grille?
In a previous thread, I was debating whether or not to get the foam strip installed by the dealer per the TSB to resolve the chirping noise from the grille. I was a bit hesitant to have them pull off the bumper......but now I have to get the front bumper removed because I noticed the other day that the underside of the bumper is scraped up. I was planning to get a clear wrap and ceramic coating next week but now that’s slightly delayed as my trusty shop for scrapes/scratches has to repair the bumper first. This will involve removing the bumper and taking it apart, so while they’re at it I’d like them to fix the chirping noise as well. Since they’re not a dealer, they don’t have access to the details behind the TSB.
Below is the TSB. My gap between the grille and the bumper is almost nonexistent. The only thing I’ve noticed is a very, very small lip where the grille is slightly higher than the bumper. You have to put your finger on it to notice the lip. The TSB seems to be pretty straightforward based on the title, but I just want to confirm the exact fix. For example, where would the glue go? The other fix of course is the foam strip but I don’t know how that would go on either. Does anyone have the exact text/directions for the TSB, both for the glue solution as well as the foam strip solution?
LI88.20-P-058905 Apr14 – e63 wind noises area of bumper/engine hood between 45-80 mph, gap between trim and bumper greater than specified dimension remove front bumper and glue chrome frame to ensure stability.
Hmm, wasn't there another thread where someone had put some tape on the top of the grille where it meets the bumper to prove the solution? Your gap looks much lower than I was expecting.
Thanks.....but that thread died when I asked the question around the characteristics of the fix. This time I was hoping someone had access to Startekinfo or something else where I could get a print of the actual TSB.
I did find a thread over at benzworld that was ever so slightly different, the TSB ends with an 8 instead of a 5. The PDF is attached to the thread but the pictures aren't in it. I might try my friendly dealer on Monday to see if they'll share the info with me.
Update - put this on yesterday and hit the highway. Problem solved. I'm going to have my shop get the grille on really tight when they put it back together and we'll see what happens.
It was only after I drove it without the whistling that I realized how irritating the whistling is.
What I'd really like to figure out is how the whistle manifests itself. There is a very, very small lip at the grille/bumper seam and the grille is very, very slightly higher than the bumper. Can't see it with the eye but if you run your finger over the seam it's there. Also, the grille isn't affixed to the bumper. So, does the whistle happen when air flows over the top and hits the lip, or does it happen when air comes through the grille and up through the grille/bumper seam. My tape might have a) changed the air profile across the top to where the lip became an nonevent or b) blocked the air coming up through the grille. I was thinking that another test could be to seal up the grille (but not the seam) to block all airflow through the grille. There was another thread somewhere where five pieces of tape were put vertically on the seam, thereby making sure the grille was tight to the bumper.
So far, I just have the title of the TSB, which speaks to gluing the grille to the bumper. This leads me to believe the problem is air coming up through the seam vs. air going over the seam. I'm still trying to get the actual document.
I was also going to talk with the clear bra guy about extending it to cover the seam. The only problem may be the ability of the bra to adhere to something that's not painted a la the car.
Looks like this facility they built in 2013 wasn't used in 2014 when they designed the front bumper...if only Hans knew they needed more glue and tape!!
Likely a little clear silicone would also work too
Can confirm this works
The CPO warranty does not cover removing the bumper and gluing the silver center grille to the bumper cover, was quoted ~$700 for the procedure. This weekend I used some high quality clear silicone sealant from LocTite and masked on both side of the problematic seam very closely. Laid down a thin bead and smushed it into the gap with my finger. Then I went over the area with some rubbing alcohol to remove any residue and taped the grille tight to the bumper cover overnight. The next day removed tape, made a few cleanups, wiped down with IPA again, and then waxed the immediate area.
I simulated the fix earlier by placing tape over the ~6 inch region that had a large gap, I didn't seal the whole interface as it's tight in the other areas.
I like this silicone sealant instead of the dealer fix because 1. it's cheaper and 2. if the grille ever has to come out the silicone sealant is less permanent than the superglue the dealer probably uses.
Is this TSB relevant to all 14-16’s or just particular years as my 16 has some wind noise co8mg from front but sounds more like the windshield, or the wipers, or maybe windshield trim. Thanks!
@5soko Thanks for the pdf, I also have access to all of the TSBs but wasn't a fan of the 'official' fix because of the permanent adhesive used. I recently had to have my bumper cover refinished, and if the shop isn't able to remove the center grill non-destructively... you're going to need to buy a new one.
@ShelbySteve My feeling is that the TSB is relevant to any post-facelift W212/S212 with the AMG grill, I think this was an option on non-AMG as the "sport grille". An easy way to see if this fix would address your noise is to place some painters tape like in the picture above and making sure it's pulling in the grille tight. The gaps are visible to the eye once you are looking for it. If you are still within the factory warranty and you are ok with the permanent epoxy then get the dealer to do it before you exit warranty coverage.
The noise is coming from the silver part of the frame having a gap between it and the bumper cover on the top side. This gap works like a flute at certain speeds giving that amazingly annoying 'chirping' noise.
Took my 2015 in yesterday for this whistling. It started this whistling after they refinished my front end. THEY FIXED IT!
Here is exactly what my paperwork states for anyone interested:
Customer states there is a whistle at front grille of car at 55-70 MPH
BY001 Whistle at front bumper grill area
4708 WM8
1 124-774-01-90 Insulation, Folding Top
34867 Gap between bumper and chrome surround of radiator trim. Road tested on freeway to verify at 65 MPH to
verify customer complaint. Drove back into shop and tape over front bumper and surround trim.
(34854- 34862) . R&R front bumper to remove front grill surrounding trim.
Prepared foam elements and installed via adhesive. Reinstalled front bumper
and road tested and there is no further wind noise at this time.
(34862 - 34867)
Don't know if this is of any help to anyone, but thought I would post it.
Recently had my front bumper refinished (road rash that I could not full buff out). Since I could physically pull upper part of the outer chrome trim surround to temporarily separate it from the main bumper cover, I had the body shop epoxy it to the bumper cover after during the repaint process. The "family of birds chirping" sound from my front end is no longer present at highway speeds.
Of note, if I wasn't going to repaint the front bumper, I was going to try putting some silicone caulking in the gap between the front chrome trim surround and the bumper to reduce the air gap and vibration (and use some small C-clamps holding it together while drying).
Update - put this on yesterday and hit the highway. Problem solved. I'm going to have my shop get the grille on really tight when they put it back together and we'll see what happens.
Took my 2015 in yesterday for this whistling. It started this whistling after they refinished my front end. THEY FIXED IT!
Here is exactly what my paperwork states for anyone interested:
Customer states there is a whistle at front grille of car at 55-70 MPH
BY001 Whistle at front bumper grill area
4708 WM8
1 124-774-01-90 Insulation, Folding Top
34867 Gap between bumper and chrome surround of radiator trim. Road tested on freeway to verify at 65 MPH to
verify customer complaint. Drove back into shop and tape over front bumper and surround trim.
(34854- 34862) . R&R front bumper to remove front grill surrounding trim.
Prepared foam elements and installed via adhesive. Reinstalled front bumper
and road tested and there is no further wind noise at this time.
(34862 - 34867)
Don't know if this is of any help to anyone, but thought I would post it.
This exactly what was done to my '14 for the same issue.
11-11-2017, 01:55 AM
