'02 ML320 decelerative differential whir @ 28k normal?
 

Morning Gents-

Finally found the '02 with a 3rd row that we're considering to replace wife's '98. I hear a DISTINCT (but not overly intrusive) either differential whir or wheel bearing whine as the speedo decelerates from say 70 to 65. If I feather the gas I can maniupulate the whir every time. I thought I was just being picky but the wife noticed it too. She thought an 18 wheeler was passing her (the sound their tires make as they go by).

My question is as the subject asks... is this certain amount of whir normal on a truck with only 28k??? Her '98 with 85k is silent but I know uses a different center diff.

Is this a known issue / have others experienced? A concern enough to either pass on it or make MB remedy prior to purchase (certified)?

TIA.

Could it be the type of tires on the truck thats making the noise.

Was thinking the same, thanks for the thought. It's running Dunlop SP5000s if I recall, very new. I dismissed the thought as it only does it at deceleration, and only at one speed. Tire whir would build up to a creshendo of sorts in my experience. This I can manipulate with throttle input, where the load is varying on the drivetrain.

Thanks tho. Any other insight here???

Noise under load
 

On my 1998 ML320 96K miles, the noise was due to the center driveshaft bearing. I was replaced under the 100K warranty. The tech broke an allen tool in one bolt and stripped another. I took it back to EuroMotors in Maryland and they replaced all the bolts on the driveshaft.