This happened on one of my 240's which I parked in the same spot. A little mouse ended up in the blower fan squirrel cage, causing it to be severely out of balance and make a tremendous thumping noise.
Well, the ML is doing the same thing! Either something is in the fan or it has a severe issue.
So, is the ML built around this blower fan or can I get to it without exploding the dash?????

**been having problems loading my ML shop manual DVD**

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John