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?

Not to sound silly, but roaring always brings to mind a bad fan clutch.

Re bearings see this thread:
DIY Wheel Bearings

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?

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,

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.

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

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.

Could be a driveshaft support bearing.

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!!

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!!!:)