C205 suspension grinding no one can find issue!

[blueonyou]

Hey long time lurker first time poster!

I’ve spent a good hour looking for similar but can’t find an answer

Since I bought this car 6 months ago there’s been a rubbing/grinding noise from the front end at low speed over uneven surfaces. It’s not a metallic sound or high pitched the only way I can describe it is like a tyre rubbing an inner wing (which isn’t the issue!). It happens on the down movement not up if that makes sense.

The issue is only apparent when the car is loaded with two passengers

It goes away completely when it’s wet

Dealer looked first time and saw failure of ball joint and replace both front spring links

When that didn’t solve it they had another go and saw play in the tension struts after suspecting but ruling out the anti roll bar. So they replaced both tension struts

We still have the same issue and I’m stumped, booking it in for the 3rd diagnoses (last one I took the tech out with me so he could hear it)

Anyone got any useful pointers I could give to them for investigation? I’m almost certain an experienced Indy would get to the bottom of it quicker but it’s warranty work so I can’t take it any where else

Thanks!

 

[markjay]

Welcome.

Disc brake dust shield bent?

Stone caught between the dust shield and the hub?

Worn wheel hub?

 

[blueonyou]

Nope sadly none of those and doesn’t change or anything with speed (which would be the case with hub or material trapped in the dust shield) it’s defo suspension related

 

[KennyN]

The fact that it goes away when wet points to a dry bush / bearing surface / joint as the moisture is acting as a lubricant , as for what is causing the noise it will be a process of elimination by spraying a lubricant at various components , one at a time , until the noise is no more then replace the offending part.

If you need anything heavy to weigh the car down i can lend you my credit card statement.

K

 

[blueonyou]

Problem is the dealer won’t send out two techs in the car and certainly won’t spray something take two techs out, come back and do it again

 

[Petrol Pete]

Get one of these , or turn the radio up

Car Electronic Stethoscope Kit Auto Mechanic Noise Diagnostic Tool Six Channel | eBay

1x A set of car stethoscope ï¼9V Batteries not includedï¼. Through six channels of signal strength contrast, can quickly find the engine sound accurate position during operation. Can put the transmitter in gear, bearing and suspension system fault down to detect sound.

www.googleadservices.com

 

[blueonyou]

Good luck to the brave person using that whilst the car is in motion

 

[KennyN]

Problem is the dealer won’t send out two techs in the car and certainly won’t spray something take two techs out, come back and do it again

You don't need two techs to operate a can of WD40 , one forefinger will suffice along with an opposable thumb to hold the can.

K

 

[blueonyou]

The issue is the noise just isn’t audible unless there is someone in the passenger seat, so yes they do need two techs to go out which they just won’t do, you cannot replicate the noise by bouncing the car as you would when say you have a dead ball joint

 

[whitenemesis]

Get one of these , or turn the radio up

Car Electronic Stethoscope Kit Auto Mechanic Noise Diagnostic Tool Six Channel | eBay

1x A set of car stethoscope ï¼9V Batteries not includedï¼. Through six channels of signal strength contrast, can quickly find the engine sound accurate position during operation. Can put the transmitter in gear, bearing and suspension system fault down to detect sound.

www.googleadservices.com

Good luck to the brave person using that whilst the car is in motion

that's exactly what my dealer did to diagnose a suspension noise on my S203.

 

[whitenemesis]

The issue is the noise just isn’t audible unless there is someone in the passenger seat, so yes they do need two techs to go out which they just won’t do, you cannot replicate the noise by bouncing the car as you would when say you have a dead ball joint

How about placing a weight in the passenger seat?
Are you certain it's not seat related?

 

[DSM10000]

What are "tension struts" and what is the vehicle milage?

 

[Petrol Pete]

What are "tension struts" and what is the vehicle milage?

Sometimes called tension struts . As are these.

 

[DSM10000]

View attachment 150441 Sometimes called tension struts . As are these. View attachment 150442

Not a term I have ever heard. Control arms and Drop links are more familiar

 

[Petrol Pete]

Not a term I have ever heard. Control arms and Drop links are more familiar

Same here.

 

[Jobsworth]

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[blueonyou]

Mileage is 70k and yeah putting a human weight in the passenger seat is a challenge, going back in on Friday so let’s see what they come up with this time