I have some kind of girnding noise coming from the right front of my car, which is a 98 E320. It is most obvious when I am accelerating at low speed, say 5 mph, or decelerating to low speed, say 20 or 35 mph. Yet, the grinding sound slowly went away at high speed travel, say after 60 mph. I also had the dealers check underneath the car for a number of times. They checked bushings and related suspension components and could not accurately pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Actually this problem has been with my car ever since we bought the car new, and the dealers didn't seem to be able to diagnose what the problem is. Could this noise caused by car's alignment? Because I've already had several alignments done by different dealers and shops during the past few years, and none solved the problem. So I would really appreciate it if you can give me some inputs on this noise issue. What's your take?

Have you had the brakes checked and examined the brake pad and rotor for any signs of rubbing which you may just may not hear above 60mph ? Maybe your front cv joint is bad. Either way unless you want to pay to diagnose it and then have them throw parts at it until the sound goes away I'd get a manual and study-up. Take the wheel off and grab it at 12 and 6 position and try to move it then do the same for the 3am 9pm position to look for bearing or other play. It could be something as tiny a piece of gravel caught in the rotor or the whole cv/ hub needs replacing... how can all those different shops not find it ?? Must mean it's a cheap easy repair and they only want the tough ones so they say nope can't find it and send you away ?? Let's hope that is the case..

Dear zero4588:

It sounds like a problem with your right front shock absorber.

Eric

Hi Eric,

I suspected it before, but I checked for leakage and found nothing. Is there any way to determine whether or not it's a worn shock? As far as the symptons of a worn shock is concerned, I don't think my shock exhibits any of the symptons mentioned by other board members. Thank you.