E Class W213 suspension noise

[Robbranch]

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice on this issue before I take it to the dealer please.

My 2019 E220 with 72k has started knocking / creaking at slow speeds when I go over a speed bump, uneven road etc. It sounds to be coming from the front end but not 100% sure. The car has a full MB service history and I also have the MB extended warranty. Does anyone know how likely it is that this issue would be covered under warranty? I don't fancy taking it to my local MB dealer for them to say it's not covered and charge me £160 to diagnose it if I could take it to a local MB specialist and get it fixed for much less.

Thanks

 

[BfgSLKMan]

Knocking would imply knackered suspension bushing, either anti roll bar link (there about £25 to £40 for proper branded ones) or lower arm ball joint (they are known to wear early), which are nearer to abuot £75 ea.

 

[W1ghty]

It’s a wear and tear issue , probably no chance of getting anything on any warranty. Cheaper to go to a specialist would be my advice (Labour cost will be cheaper )
(Unless you bought it in last few days ?)

 

[BeeftexMerc]

I have had a similar ongoing problem. Most recently changed the front anti roll bar links. improved drive and reduced some sounds, but still can hear odd knock at low speeds.
MB will never cover repairs of this nature under warranty as it is not deemed component failure - is categorised as wear and tear.

 

[BfgSLKMan]

I have had a similar ongoing problem. Most recently changed the front anti roll bar links. improved drive and reduced some sounds, but still can hear odd knock at low speeds.
MB will never cover repairs of this nature under warranty as it is not deemed component failure - is categorised as wear and tear.

Just out of interest does your car have air suspension? If so did you deflate the bags or just undo the strut at the bottom (a you would a steel sprung strut) and unbolt it from the lower control arm to access the bottom bolt of the ARB link?

 

[Londonscottish]

Could be either drop links or ball joints.

I've recently had both done on both sides between roughly 77k and 83k miles.

Any garage can do them.

It's basically wear and tear.

 

[Robbranch]

Update on this - car has been to dealer today who has diagnosed front spring link arm ball joints excess play- requires both sides.

Surprisingly, my MB extended warranty is covering this including the cost of wheel allignment afterwards. I’m getting my money’s worth from the £45 per month warranty .

 

[BeeftexMerc]

Just out of interest does your car have air suspension? If so did you deflate the bags or just undo the strut at the bottom (a you would a steel sprung strut) and unbolt it from the lower control arm to access the bottom bolt of the ARB link?

Sorry, I don't do repairs myself. But even with air suspension, I was charged a modest amount to replace the ARB links, so I guess the job wasn't too complicated.

 

[Robbranch]

The ball joint replacement didn't fix my problem unfortunately. The car's in for a service next week so will ask them to take another look at it. If you push down on the front corners of the car, you can hear the suspension 'squeaking' which I don't think is normal?

 

[BlackC55]

It will probably be the other two arms.

 

[DuFFmAn]

I am curious to know how you end up resolving this. I had the same issue at 72k miles on my e350 estate.

What I do remember was the when moving the steering wheel side to side whilst stationary was also creating a knocking noise and I felt it was that. However, the powers at be could not find any play.

Got it checked and even Jaymanek and his team could not diagnose it. Eventually part exchanged it.

 

[Robbranch]

The dealers couldn’t find a problem. When i picked the car up there was no knocking for a few days which was great. However, it’s now started again. I initially thought the knocking was coming from the front but i’m not so sure now - it might be further back. The car had a full tank of fuel when i took it to the dealers so i’m now wondering if the knocking starts as the fuel level drops. I’ll have to start trying to keep a log to try and narrow down what could be causing it

 

[DuFFmAn]

fair enough. Mine was clearly coming from the front drivers side. Knocking/rattling everytime it went over a bump or uneven road surface. It was a lovely car otherwise but couldn't live with the noise.

 

[XFJagman]

Update on this - car has been to dealer today who has diagnosed front spring link arm ball joints excess play- requires both sides.

Surprisingly, my MB extended warranty is covering this including the cost of wheel allignment afterwards. I’m getting my money’s worth from the £45 per month warranty .

I bought a 4-year old E Class and haggled to get a two year warranty. Unfortunately, the second year is with RAC, who refused my claim for spring control arms as wear and tear. although the service agent said Mercedes extended warranty would have covered it. They quoted £1100 for both sides. Tracking is not mentioned.

 

[BlackC55]

I bought a 4-year old E Class and haggled to get a two year warranty. Unfortunately, the second year is with RAC, who refused my claim for spring control arms as wear and tear. although the service agent said Mercedes extended warranty would have covered it. They quoted £1100 for both sides. Tracking is not mentioned.

Use an independent. It will be much cheaper than that.

 

[XFJagman]

Use an independent. It will be much cheaper than that.

Thanks for your suggestion. I just had it checked by an independent MOT station who said there was such minimal play that it was not enough to have got a mention even as an advisory issue in their MOT.
I watched a so-called mechanic on YouTube take 6 minutes to remove a lower wishbone arm on a similar Mercedes and another 6 minutes to replace it. And that was initially without using a Torx bit to stop the whole ball joint spinning when he tried to undo it with an air ratchet. Also, he tightened the inner bolt with the wheels dangling, rather than in their resting position, and there was not a torque wrench in sight. Admittedly, that time was with the car already on the ramp, but still, Mercedes' estimate of 3.5 hours labour @£170 seems excessive. They assume that their owners have deep pockets and would never get under their car to check. Halfords could not quote for the job because they said that they could not get hold of the original Mercedes parts!!! I am wary of cheap Chinese knockoffs in case they are made of inferior materials that will either wear faster, or worse still, snap.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Yes.....best to get the Genuine Chinese Mercedes parts than the non Genuine Chinese Mercedes parts.....that are probably made in some of the same factories but without the star on the box!!!...

 

[XFJagman]

Yes.....best to get the Genuine Chinese Mercedes parts than the non Genuine Chinese Mercedes parts.....that are probably made in some of the same factories but without the star on the box!!!...

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I take your point, but when Ebay can sell a pair for £101 and Mercedes are asking £250 each, I do feel that some quality control differences must exist. It's a bit like the lithium battery chargers that explode and those that don't. Hard to tell by looking at the box.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I here you.... but many of us have bought EXACTLY the same parts as you get from the Merc parts counter at half the price elsewhere. Sometimes with the Merc part number ground off! Don't forget that Merc make few parts.... they are subbed out to hundreds of other makers.

 

[pembssurf]

I bought a 4-year old E Class and haggled to get a two year warranty. Unfortunately, the second year is with RAC, who refused my claim for spring control arms as wear and tear. although the service agent said Mercedes extended warranty would have covered it. They quoted £1100 for both sides. Tracking is not mentioned.

Iv literally just had my 2019 S213 fail it's MOT on excessive play on both ball joints. Just had it repaired by Mercedes and yes it was covered under extended warranty. Took them about 1.5 hours for both sides but the job cost would have been a grand. Iv got a 4Matic with the crabbing issue so I'm not sure if this compounded the issue of the ball joints. 4-5 years for a ball joint to fail an MOT seems particularly bad.