A few months ago, I began having a popping,snap type noise when I began moving or stopping in my 2001 ML 320. It went from every now and then to every single time to a couple of pops when I start moving/stop. I got underneath, pushed pulled checked everything I could think of. I ended up taking it to a mechanic. He thought it was the u joints. We put it up on the lift. The u joints look fine. With all the wheels of the ground, the sound cannot be replicated. I thought it was in the transfer case so I removed it. All the gears look fine- no chipped teeth or anything like that. I reassembled everything and took the following video.

Is this normal chain deflection? Or is the chain too loose? When I pull up on the fork, that noise sounds a lot like what I am hearing. I assume the motor on the outside of the transfer case causes the fork on the inside to move. Could my motor be out of order causing the fork to slam up to fast? I really have no idea. I am hoping that someone with more experience can guide me through this.

If is not the t case, if you have any ideas please let me know. The noise seems to be coming from the center of the vehicle....from the location of the t case.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5nBGpvkb7g

It sounds like you're describing a torsion bar.

Is there a way to check to see if the torsion bar is the cause of my problem.

I think you are right about the torsion bars. I just rolled the ML down the driveway and got the noise when the brakes were hit. Thanks for the help. Before I put the transfer case back in, if someone could chime in on the chain slack I would appreciate it. If I need to change it now, I would rather do so. It was a bear to remove. On the other hand if it is good, I would rather not throw good money away.

Thanks