E220cdi S212 Boot rattle/noise

[Jonnie5]

Hi folks I have a 2012 E class estate with a low frequency thud/ rattle when going over uneven road surface or a series of pot holes. It coming from the rear passengers side of the seat/boot area. I tried the side panels and removing the storage tray platform in the boot also through the seat wasnt clipped right back but all with no avil. Have any of you guys come across the same.

Regards Jonathon

 

[Namvar15]

May be a long shot but sometimes the rear bushes can makes noises over bumps that can sometimes sound like it is something loose in the car? I have had this issue before, not on my merc, but with other cars as i used to buy and sell them. Obviously if it is an interior plasticy rattle sound the it is probably not the case.

Noises can be a real nightmare to track down and diagnose and have a habit of driving a man crazy!

 

[Jonnie5]

Thanks for your reply. It's possible. However the car is a Hackney Carriage and all the bushes are fine and checked regularly. Obviously not a very common problem or Im just super sensitive to cabin knocks squeeks and rattle. Been running BMW for years and always found them very refined inside.


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[KeithJG]

Although not the E i am the C class but the same type of rattle especially when cold first thing in the morning. During the morning things have heated up and all is ok.

One thing i did find was the First Aid kit was rattling around and the stretch type plastic thingy that holds the jack was loose?

I think most makes of estates have rattles because of more panelling at the rear is open to the ears.

As mentioned my suspension is good also.

 

[mynameishenry]

Reckon I'm in the same boat as Jonnie5 - recently aquired a 2011 S212 and since I've had it, there's been what sounds like a solid-on-solid knock, a bit panelly but only left rear. I've had the lot out - all trim panels, floor panels, trays and still I get it. Not as bad - I've diagnosed one part of the cacophony to the narrower floor panel just behind rear seats that sits on two dumbell-shaped plastic supports that span the gap to steel floor. Having fallen in love with a sturdy German, I'm getting increasingly ****** off with clonk-flap-knock from the rear.

Following some advice, I've had the rear shocks and top mounts replaced, and one air spring (sadly, this copped a leak when the local specialists did the shocks...).

Still the same. Nothing is loose as far as I can tell.

What, OH what, can the matter be?! Suggestions or constructive sympathy please.

 

[KeithJG]

Reckon I'm in the same boat as Jonnie5 - recently aquired a 2011 S212 and since I've had it, there's been what sounds like a solid-on-solid knock, a bit panelly but only left rear. I've had the lot out - all trim panels, floor panels, trays and still I get it. Not as bad - I've diagnosed one part of the cacophony to the narrower floor panel just behind rear seats that sits on two dumbell-shaped plastic supports that span the gap to steel floor. Having fallen in love with a sturdy German, I'm getting increasingly ****** off with clonk-flap-knock from the rear.

Following some advice, I've had the rear shocks and top mounts replaced, and one air spring (sadly, this copped a leak when the local specialists did the shocks...).

Still the same. Nothing is loose as far as I can tell.

What, OH what, can the matter be?! Suggestions or constructive sympathy please.

When i have nothing to do i just pull things around and i have found it to be the same panel as you mention behind the rear seat.

How i found it was by just pulling it up after removing the loose larger compartment cover and i just pulled hard and it made a loud crack but is still held together and does now hardly make the noise and is a slightly different sound when i do hear it.......so it must be around that area.

It is plastic related as when on holiday down around the French Pyrenees it was around 38 degrees and when hot it stops rattling...only when the temp. came down did it start again.

 

[reflexboy]

It maybe a shock absorber. I have a similar noise. Spent hours in the boot whilst a friend drove along some bumpy roads, pull all the trim out in the boot and all the contents on the boot but in the end it was the shock absorber-more common than you may think on the C and E class

 

[mynameishenry]

Yup, did some fiddling at the weekend and supressed more noise. Having been driven around with me in the boot, noises were hard to come by. Weight on the potential sources seemed to stop most noise.

So I bought a big sheet of self-adhesive foam, 3mm thick, and cut sections that cover the contact points between moulded plastic and steel pressings. Also did bits between the trim clips and their respective holes to reduce movement.

Dropped a small piece into the moulded cup where the main boot floor locates either side.

Need to do other side but making progress.

When i have nothing to do i just pull things around and i have found it to be the same panel as you mention behind the rear seat.

How i found it was by just pulling it up after removing the loose larger compartment cover and i just pulled hard and it made a loud crack but is still held together and does now hardly make the noise and is a slightly different sound when i do hear it.......so it must be around that area.

It is plastic related as when on holiday down around the French Pyrenees it was around 38 degrees and when hot it stops rattling...only when the temp. came down did it start again.

 

[mynameishenry]

Yeah, did both sides from the outset...

It maybe a shock absorber. I have a similar noise. Spent hours in the boot whilst a friend drove along some bumpy roads, pull all the trim out in the boot and all the contents on the boot but in the end it was the shock absorber-more common than you may think on the C and E class

 

[louwdj]

I had an annoying rattle (over and above the standard suspension noises) on a 2004 W203. It was not bumps or road indulations related. Seemed worse at speeds above 100 km/hour. I checked shock absorber fittings, secured under body covers, tools, spare wheel cover, etc, to no avail. It sounded more like a rope flapping in the wind, hitting the bodywork. I turned out the rear number plate on the one end, was seperating from the double-sided tape that secures it to the backing plate. Cars in later years, by law (here in South Africa) now has to have their plates riveted. Double-sided tape is no longer allowed.

Happy (noise) hunting!

 

[dmthomas73]

I am very late to the party here, but also had a deep, muffled thud coming from the back of my S212 when driving over bumpy roads and it was driving me insane. Sounded like something serious was loose under the car (exhaust/suspension) and was thudding on the floor. Anyway, thank heavens for this forum. It was that same panel behind the rear seat. I took it out, tightened the screws on the underside that hold the brackets and then made sure the spring clamps were not bent out of shape (they have to locate in two slits in the floor) And finally added some foam to the top of those two plastic mushroom supports and then clicked the panel back in place. Weird noise completely stopped straight away and I am back to serene driving. Thanks Henry!