Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-27-2002, 11:50 PM
dnthomas's Avatar
New MBOwner in 2002!
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 44
Question Front End Noise....Bearings?

Today I noticed, for the first time, a roaring type noise which seemed to come from the front end of the car. No noise when standing still or reving engine, only hear it when in motion and it has that revolution sound if you know what I mean. (kinda can here a pulsating as if this noice was from somthing that is turning.)

My first though was a tire noise but not really high on that thought. Bearings?

Looking at old posts here there is ome indication that repacking or changing the wheel bearings on a Mercedes may be different (or more difficult) than it is on other vehicles. My father and I were going to repack the bearings this weekend. He has done this many many times on other vehicles and I have done it several times myself. Anything special here? Is it that different from other vehicles?

__________________
D. Thomas
1991 560SEL
New Owner as of 05/25/2002, first MB!
http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/d/n/dnt0512/1991.htmL
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-28-2002, 12:17 AM
BlackE55
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Not to sound silly, but roaring always brings to mind a bad fan clutch.

Re bearings see this thread:
DIY Wheel Bearings
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-28-2002, 12:35 AM
dnthomas's Avatar
New MBOwner in 2002!
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 44
I guess I should have also put that there is no change in the operating tempature, stays rock steady at around 80-85 which is where it has stayed unless stuck in heavy stop and go traffic.

Wouldn't the temp be affected by a bad fan clutch?
__________________
D. Thomas
1991 560SEL
New Owner as of 05/25/2002, first MB!
http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/d/n/dnt0512/1991.htmL
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-28-2002, 07:18 AM
LarryBible
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
If it is a roaring while the car is rolling as you describe and not heard when revving the engine, it is most likely tire noise. I have gone through this several times and even replaced or inspected front wheel bearings. Replaced the tires and all was well again.

Rotating the tires will help prevent this from happening. It is more common on front wheel drive cars, but it happens on our cars as well.

Good luck,
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-28-2002, 10:22 AM
csnow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,127
Bearing noises typically go away when you turn in one direction or the other, and sometimes upon braking.

A sticking caliper can roar, but usually you can smell it.

A worn out (to the metal) brake pad can roar, though this would tend to vary sound or pitch upon braking.

A bad alignment can cause a roar. Hit any potholes or curbs lately?

Any evidence in the tire wear pattern? Cupping or edge wear?

If you have any doubts about the noise being engine vs. running gear, the best way to discern is to get it up to speed on the highway, then pop it into neutral and see if the noise stops.
I once had a noisy water pump when I was certain it must be a wheel bearing...

Best of luck.
__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-28-2002, 09:08 PM
dnthomas's Avatar
New MBOwner in 2002!
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 44
Maybe Left Rear?????

Thanks for all replies, just went out driving a bit and trying to discern the noise and was not successful. I drove on different surfaces and this had no effect on the noise. (myabe not tire noise?)

I did notice that upon feeling all wheels around the lugs, .left rear was very noticeably warmer than the rest ? Any thoughts? The noise is higher pitched at faster speed and you can here it slow as the car does.

There is no noticeable effect on anything else other than hearing the noise and that wheel being warmer. Temp stays normal, rpms are at normal levels etc.,

Thanks again for your help, and in adevance for any other thoughts
__________________
D. Thomas
1991 560SEL
New Owner as of 05/25/2002, first MB!
http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/d/n/dnt0512/1991.htmL

Last edited by dnthomas; 06-29-2002 at 12:38 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-28-2002, 11:49 PM
TANK
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
This happens to sound close to the exact noise my front bearings made, kinda like I was driving over grooves in the road or something.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-01-2002, 09:11 AM
csnow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,127
Could be a driveshaft support bearing.
__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-06-2002, 12:27 AM
dnthomas's Avatar
New MBOwner in 2002!
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 44
After doins some serious checking while off on the holiday, I found that the brake caliper was somewhat stuck and there was some rubbing but this did not solve the noise.

After lifting the car a spinning the front tires I found that they did not spin as easy as I thought they should and believe the noise is coming from the left front wheel. Odering the bearing kits for both wheels and hope this solves the problem. I did notice that it takes a bit as the engine (and bearings) warm before the noise really starts then it speeds and slows with the speed of the car.

Thanks for all replies, you guys are most helpful!!
__________________
D. Thomas
1991 560SEL
New Owner as of 05/25/2002, first MB!
http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/d/n/dnt0512/1991.htmL
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-06-2002, 12:50 AM
unkl300d's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: San Francisco, Ca
Posts: 2,468
Bearings

This happened to my W123.
Front right bearing was to blame.
I jacked up the car and moved the front wheels to and fro.
The front right had movement while the left was tight.
Changed out both bearings and noise gone!!!

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page