For the last couple of months I keep getting a "Metal Grinding Noise" when making slow turns with the ML, like in a parking lot, gas station, etc. Its not present all the time - but is there sometimes. Asked the dealer to inspect and they said they checked all the Steering Components and could not find anything wrong. Did a search on this site and found some info related to a similar noise coming from Drive Shaft Bearings or Front Wheel Bearings or Differential or Torque Converter, etc. Please help - where is this noise coming from ? Its a 2002 ML500 with 28k miles. All help is appreciated.
I think you listed all our guesses but with only 28k miles
on your unit, I am suprised you have problems. Did the dealer reproduce the sound or not? If not, you may have to demo the sound. I had to do this for a bad center line bearing on my MY99 drive shaft.
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Tom DeTemple
Denver
'99 ML320 traded @139k miles for---
'02 ML320 traded @45k miles for---
'05 ML350SE now at 50k+ miles
RE: I think you listed all our guesses but with only 28k miles
Thanks for your reply - but since the noise is not present all the time its difficult to reproduce. I will again bring it to the SA's attention at my "B" service which will be due in 2k miles. I guess will have to wait and watch [:(!]
I too am surprised that you have a problem on such a new model. Grinding noises in tight turns have been mentioned a number of times on this forum and you'd think that common ML problems would be worked out on the production end by now.
It may not be at all related but one shop that serviced our '99 320 advised that a grinding noise was evident in tight turns when the vehicle was about a year old. Like many red-blooded north americans I claim to hear all when it comes to machinery but I had not heard such a noise. The shop went ahead and changed the transfer case -- and I remember hearing no difference.
You may want to mention possible transfer case problems to your SA.
Well, you have 22k miles left on the factory warranty so
there is time to convince the SA there is a problem. Actually, the heck with the SA, just get the best tech in the truck for a demo. MB has roving factory tech reps which help the dealer solve the 'harder' problems so maybe you can ask when this rep will be at your shop and let him make suggestions for what might be wrong. One was presnt at my visit and suggested that my problem was the centerline bearing, later proved to be the case.
I got the grinding noise again again today in my office parking lot. It comes when making slow turns. I was driving at 4-5 MPH and making slow turns - got the Metal Grinding Noise. While I was rolling I put the car in Neutral and made a few more turns. The noise was still present. Since the noise comes when in Drive or in Neutral does it eliminate the Differential & the Transfer Case ? I would imagine the Diff and Xfer Case are not in the picture when in Neutral. Does it mean its coming from the Front Wheel Bearings or the Drive Shaft ? Please advise.
My GF's ML55 has the same problem. She described it as you did, but when I test drove it wouldn't make noise until I was going fairly fast with the wheel cranked. If the wheel was cranked to the left, the sound came from the left wheel. Right turn and it comes from the right wheel. It sounds exactly like brakes that are metal on metal.
Dealer says they have no clue what it is. Actually they claim it's the brakes, but the brakes are fine.
Please post if you find out.
The dealer fixed the problem, they claimed it was a bolt that had loosened from somewhere and was touching the rotor. I'm not buying their story, but the noise is gone. They charged for a new rotor and pads. The new rotor already has a groove in it at the same spot they claimed the bolt was touching. My GF won't let me tear it apart because it's under warranty and doesn't want to chance voiding it.
The groove is very shallow and about 1/2" wide on the the inside of the disc, I can easily feel it by putting my hand thru the rim. Let me know if yours has the same groove.
I have a 2002 ML500 (built Jan 2002) and sometimes I do experience a loud metal grinding noise when making full turns at slow speeds - like in a parking lot or gas station etc. This happens once a week. Since mine is a MY02 I am assuming I have the upgraded Xfer Case. The dealer has been unable to "duplicate" the issue on more than 3 occassions. Is it the Front Wheel Bearings, The Driveshaft, Steering Column, Xfer case or something else ? I feel I am beating my head against a wall trying to get this issue resolved - at the same time I tend to feel it may be a potentially dangerous issue if something were to come apart or break while driving. Please help !!
I dropped off my ML500 for a 40k Miles FSS "B" Service today and asked them to fix the "Metal Grinding Noise" alongwith 20 other issues. The SA at MB of Cary said that the noise is from the Transfer Case and its pretty normal since this is a 4WD vehicle. I told him that if its coming from the Xfer Case then please replace it with a newer version. To which he said, since yours is a 2002 ML you already have the new Xfer case and this noise is acceptable. He said that I will show you some 98 and 99's which will shudder when making a tight turn !! You are better off with this noise than the shudder !!
I am at a loss - I feel MB of Cary is trying to beat around the bush and trying to convince me that this is a normal acceptable noise. After reading through this forum, I am convinced that its not normal and needs to be fixed. It may be the Xfer Case, Drive Shaft Bearing, Front Wheel Bearings etc. Please advise on what to do .
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