[PUKBenz]

Hi all,


This is regarding my 2014 ML63 AMG.

When making right turns (possibly sometimes left turns, but almost always when turning right), or even when going straight and over some bumps (but not always?), or sometimes even upon taking off, there is a clunking, knocking, rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. It seems to be primarily from the driver side front. I can also feel it in my steering wheel. A slight knock or bump in the steering when the noise happens. This seems to happen at any speeds. To me, it sounds like a bad air shocked or bad bushings somewhere, but upon inspection, everything looks perfect. The car also handles beautifully, drives great, stops great, etc. If it were not for the noise, nothing would feel wrong. There seems to be no correlation of the noise to any kind of lack of performance.

I'm at a complete loss. I've inspected the area thoroughly, also with my dad (and both of us have a good amount of wrenching skills). We cannot find anything that looks abnormal. All bushings look good, the air suspension looks good, the steering column (from what we can see) looks good, the breaks look good, there are no loose pieces anywhere.

I did notice that the ACS fluid was low, but I refilled it with Mercedes-Benz brand fluid to it's appropriate level. That did not help.

I'm so frustrated at this point. And I have done extensive searching online to see if anyone has the answer to this, but I can find nothing. There just seems to be a lack of all information on W166's. Especially the ML63 AMG. I'm not sure why.

Can anyone please help? Thank you!

 

[mattml430]

Hi all,


This is regarding my 2014 ML63 AMG.

When making right turns (possibly sometimes left turns, but almost always when turning right), or even when going straight and over some bumps (but not always?), or sometimes even upon taking off, there is a clunking, knocking, rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. It seems to be primarily from the driver side front. I can also feel it in my steering wheel. A slight knock or bump in the steering when the noise happens. This seems to happen at any speeds. To me, it sounds like a bad air shocked or bad bushings somewhere, but upon inspection, everything looks perfect. The car also handles beautifully, drives great, stops great, etc. If it were not for the noise, nothing would feel wrong. There seems to be no correlation of the noise to any kind of lack of performance.

I'm at a complete loss. I've inspected the area thoroughly, also with my dad (and both of us have a good amount of wrenching skills). We cannot find anything that looks abnormal. All bushings look good, the air suspension looks good, the steering column (from what we can see) looks good, the breaks look good, there are no loose pieces anywhere.

I did notice that the ACS fluid was low, but I refilled it with Mercedes-Benz brand fluid to it's appropriate level. That did not help.

I'm so frustrated at this point. And I have done extensive searching online to see if anyone has the answer to this, but I can find nothing. There just seems to be a lack of all information on W166's. Especially the ML63 AMG. I'm not sure why.

Can anyone please help? Thank you!

My front right CV joint is clicking/clunking on turns. I’m changing them both at the moment. Including the front wheel bearings. It doesn’t always do it just occasionally.


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[PUKBenz]

My front right CV joint is clicking/clunking on turns. I’m changing them both at the moment. Including the front wheel bearings. It doesn’t always do it just occasionally.


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I don't think it's a bad CV joint on mine. Mine is more of a clunking/knocking/thumping. Especially in correlation to any road bumps or undulations I am going over at the time. Especially in right hand turns. It also doesn't always do it.

Honestly, it sounds like a suspension component is loose down there, but from everything I could see, all looked fine.

 

[gcthree]

Same issue with our 2014 with 60,000 miles on it. Our driveway is aggregate stone/concrete (Colonial Williamsburg) and backing out of the driveway you hear rattling. Same for our main community road that was recently repaved and they got it wrong resulting in a washboard effect. All the reading I've done on the web points to failed sway bar links. I'm ordering links and sway bar mount bushings hoping that solves the annoyance. Not sure why a suspension component would fail after 60,000 miles, though....? Cannot imagine that you need to replace lower ball joint and upper A-arm at this level of mileage?

 

[mattml430]

Also check your lower rear control arm bushings.

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[Witek_M]

Also check your lower rear control arm bushings.



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Have you found a way to replace those?

 

[mattml430]

Have you found a way to replace those?

Doing mine this week, I was hoping they just unbolt. I’ll let you know how it goes.


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[PUKBenz]

Same issue with our 2014 with 60,000 miles on it. Our driveway is aggregate stone/concrete (Colonial Williamsburg) and backing out of the driveway you hear rattling. Same for our main community road that was recently repaved and they got it wrong resulting in a washboard effect. All the reading I've done on the web points to failed sway bar links. I'm ordering links and sway bar mount bushings hoping that solves the annoyance. Not sure why a suspension component would fail after 60,000 miles, though....? Cannot imagine that you need to replace lower ball joint and upper A-arm at this level of mileage?

I thought the same and replaced the front sway bar links on both sides. It did not fix the issue. I might have noticed a reduction in the sound occurrence, but small. Maybe a 20% reduction? It also very well could have been my imagination. Needless to say, replacing them is inexpensive and very easy to do… So, if anything, you may still want to do it. But do not expect this to eliminate the sound.


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[Witek_M]

Doing mine this week, I was hoping they just unbolt. I’ll let you know how it goes.


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They are pressed on.

 

[mattml430]

They are pressed on.

Thanks Witek looks like I’m in for more than I thought. That’s a nice puller, hopefully mine will get them off ok.


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[Witek_M]

Thanks Witek looks like I’m in for more than I thought. That’s a nice puller, hopefully mine will get them off ok.


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If you price items listed in that article it is easier on your pocket to just replace entire lower control arm.
I know that you are capable of doing this with your own setup.

 

[mattml430]

If you price items listed in that article it is easier on your pocket to just replace entire lower control arm.
I know that you are capable of doing this with your own setup.

Looks like the lower control arm is coming off tomorrow to go in the big press. They are very tight witek. I was unsuccessful trying to get them off.

Bent 8mm plate without even budging it.


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[mattml430]

My clunking is gone with the replacement of the rear control arm bushes. They were worn.

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[PUKBenz]

I’m confused as to how. The clunking on mine (now traded in) was on the front drivers side.


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