2015 E class E220 front wheels wobbling

[Night2023]

Hi everyone, new to owning a Merc and could use some help please!
Jacked my car up the other day and noticed when I held 3 and 9 and pushed/pulled there was a small amount of movement. I was also getting it when holding 6 and 12. This is present on both front wheels.

car has 50,000 miles on it.
I have no noise, steering wheel wobble or anything like pulling to one side etc.

my gut says it’s not wheel bearings however I could be wrong!
Anyone had anything similar?
Regards
Matt

 

[StMarks]

Hi everyone, new to owning a Merc and could use some help please!
Jacked my car up the other day and noticed when I held 3 and 9 and pushed/pulled there was a small amount of movement. I was also getting it when holding 6 and 12. This is present on both front wheels.

car has 50,000 miles on it.
I have no noise, steering wheel wobble or anything like pulling to one side etc.

my gut says it’s not wheel bearings however I could be wrong!
Anyone had anything similar?
Regards
Matt

What you are describing does sound like wheel bearings, but at 50k on a 2015 Merc that can't be right surely.??
I don't suppose it could be "at cold" clearance, that makes a perfect fit when warm.?
Or something stupidly simple like it couldn't be loose wheel nuts.

If no one comes up with a proper answer, I guess taking it to a Merc main Dealer to ask for their opinion may be the way forward, because if they diagnose failing wheel bearings you get to ask them "why"

 

[keith of kent]

I'm sure that someone can reccomend a MB indy near you. Would be completely mad to take a 2015 car to a main deale and pay nearly £200/ hour with VAT.
I take mine to an indy and can actually speak to the guy doing the work on my 2015 E class

 

[colinallcars]

Hi everyone, new to owning a Merc and could use some help please!
Jacked my car up the other day and noticed when I held 3 and 9 and pushed/pulled there was a small amount of movement. I was also getting it when holding 6 and 12. This is present on both front wheels.

car has 50,000 miles on it.
I have no noise, steering wheel wobble or anything like pulling to one side etc.

my gut says it’s not wheel bearings however I could be wrong!
Anyone had anything similar?
Regards
Matt

There is meant to be a small amount of play in the bearings. If you feel it’s excessive then a garage should be able to confirm and adjust if necessary.

 

[markjay]

There is meant to be a small amount of play in the bearings. If you feel it’s excessive then a garage should be able to confirm and adjust if necessary.

As above, a minute 'knock' is fine. If you're not sure, a garage can check and adjust if necessary - it's a very simple job.

 

[Bellow]

Jacked my car up the other day and noticed when I held 3 and 9 and pushed/pulled there was a small amount of movement. I was also getting it when holding 6 and 12.

Repeat the above and have someone press the brake pedal while you do. If application of the brakes quells the play - wheel bearing is the problem.

 

[Night2023]

What you are describing does sound like wheel bearings, but at 50k on a 2015 Merc that can't be right surely.??
I don't suppose it could be "at cold" clearance, that makes a perfect fit when warm.?
Or something stupidly simple like it couldn't be loose wheel nuts.

If no one comes up with a proper answer, I guess taking it to a Merc main Dealer to ask for their opinion may be the way forward, because if they diagnose failing wheel bearings you get to ask them "why"

Hi mate, thanks for replying! I’ve seen a lot of videos and forum posts about adjusting the bearings on Mercs. I’ve ordered a dial indicator so I can measure how much tolerance/play there is. I’m hoping they just require a alittle tighten up due to age.

 

[Night2023]

Repeat the above and have someone press the brake pedal while you do. If application of the brakes quells the play - wheel bearing is the problem.

Ah interesting! There’s a point where the disc becomes tight against the pad so slightly harder to pull through. At that point there is no wobble

 

[Bellow]

Ah interesting! There’s a point where the disc becomes tight against the pad so slightly harder to pull through. At that point there is no wobble

Brake will clamp disc and wheel to knuckle making play between them impossible. If there's still play it's from outwith. If the play vanishes, it's the bearing.
Play at 3-9 O clock and 12 -6 O clock points to bearing. One or the other points to steering (3-9 O clock) or control arms (12 -6 O clock).

 

[Night2023]

Brake will clamp disc and wheel to knuckle making play between them impossible. If there's still play it's from outwith. If the play vanishes, it's the bearing.
Play at 3-9 O clock and 12 -6 O clock points to bearing. One or the other points to steering (3-9 O clock) or control arms (12 -6 O clock).

Ok great! Should be able to check this tomorrow. If it does seem to point towards the bearings are we talking an adjustment or replacement?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Yes, a lot of them are mentioned on MOT but Merc front taper bearings have to have a small amount of play for expansion. If you close up the play they will fail quickly.

 

[Riva811]

I see a lot of people beat me to it, I had the same issue on the W212 at the 62,000m, bearings it was.

 

[Night2023]

I see a lot of people beat me to it, I had the same issue on the W212 at the 62,000m, bearings it was.

Hi mate, did they need replacing or adjusting?

 

[colinallcars]

Ok great! Should be able to check this tomorrow. If it does seem to point towards the bearings are we talking an adjustment or replacement?

Adjustment

 

[Bellow]

Ok great! Should be able to check this tomorrow. If it does seem to point towards the bearings are we talking an adjustment or replacement?

Adjust and monitor. If more play develops, then time to dig in. Probably adjustment is all that is required.

 

[Riva811]

Hi mate, did they need replacing or adjusting?

Replaced on both the W212 and C216