Grounding noise from front

[Horrgakx]

Hi all. Since I had a tyre changed due to a front offside puncture I've had a noise that I can only describe as "bottoming" when the car is under compression (in a dip etc). It wasn't there before and it happens more easily when the car is loaded with people.

It sounds exactly like if a piece of plastic cover was hanging down and touching the road. I've looked under the car and there's nothing hanging down (my initial thought was the small piece of plastic in front of the wheel but it seems to be high enough off the ground).

But one thing I noticed is that the wheel on that side is sitting a little higher in the arch. Not much and I've not measured it in mm yet. What kind of thing can I look for? Springs? Shockers? Mounts?

Thanks.

 

[kth286]

perhaps the spring perch is rusting through and coming away from the inner wing - a safety issue.

 

[renault12ts]

It does sound like either a broken spring which I had and meant I grounded all the time. Or, a spring perch. Probably the spring, since the perch would possibly be more dramatic. Not a shock, since this does not affect ride height.

 

[nickcc101]

Sounds like a broken front spring. These usually break within the mounting so it can be very difficult to spot unless you remove the spring. If, as you say, the wheel position has changed then this also points towards a broken spring.

 

[renault12ts]

Sounds like a broken front spring. These usually break within the mounting so it can be very difficult to spot unless you remove the spring. If, as you say, the wheel position has changed then this also points towards a broken spring.

Actually they usually break at the bottom and can be seen easily by either taking a wheel off, or by feel.

 

[nickcc101]

Actually they usually break at the bottom and can be seen easily by either taking a wheel off, or by feel.

The many springs that I have changed (not Mercedes) have usually broken in the bottom mounting bracket with the break hidden by the bracket, perhaps MB's lower bracket is designed for the break to be obvious.

 

[Horrgakx]

Thanks - any idea of costs?

 

[LTD]

rubbing might well be as above but a clunk could be a suspension arm ball joint

 

[Horrgakx]

No clunking, just rubbing. I'm on holiday so will have it looked at some time.

 

[LTD]

Stupid questions time.

If it's only happened since the new tyre - is it the right/same profile ?

How did they jack up your car to remove the rim ?

Seems a bit of a coincidence

 

[Horrgakx]

Yeh I checked the tyre size after hearing this noise, same as what came off.

The car will have been jacked using a hydraulic jack under one corner. Presumably under the sill.

The car DOES seem to look lower on that side, and the wheel looks a little further forward too. No idea if I should have noticed that before...

 

[renault12ts]

The many springs that I have changed (not Mercedes) have usually broken in the bottom mounting bracket with the break hidden by the bracket, perhaps MB's lower bracket is designed for the break to be obvious.

I have no doubt of your experience but we are talking about w210 front springs which usually break about two inches from the bottom end.

 

[Horrgakx]

So surely a broken spring is ... abnormal?
I've had a car that covered 214k miles and not a spring breakage in sight.

This is a safety mater surely?
It cant be a wear & tear item expected to fail? Warranty covered?

 

[BlackC55]

Spring breakage is certainly very normal. We replace loads in my workshop on all sorts of MB's.

Do a search on here for snapping springs/ broken springs.

It is not just MB's either that have springs that snap.

 

[Horrgakx]

I've had several cars over the years, some high mileage, some not. This is the first car I've had with this issue.
I had a suspension arm with a hairline crack on an EVO 6 TME but they recalled it under warranty.

Snapping springs on MB is normal. Should I look for a crankshaft snap that's normal? Or a petrol tank that's going to fall off the bottom?

I thought I'd bought a solid, reliable car & uprated AMG version.

 

[Rory]

I thought I'd bought a solid, reliable car & uprated AMG version.

Springs breaking is a fairly recent thing, which it's thought has started happening due to previously used coatings being banned. Happens on all makes of cars, although some seem more susceptible than others.

A few years ago both rear coil springs broke on wifey's Renault Clio. The car was 4 years old and only came with a 1 year warranty from new. Renault replaced them FOC (note no typical Mercedes 50% "goodwill" offer, with the job costing twice what would be reasonable).

 

[Horrgakx]

Thanks. So they offer £'s towards replacement?

 

[renault12ts]

No they'll offer nothing. But it's not such an expensive fix, so long as you go to your indie to fit the new springs (if indeed that is what is required).

 

[Horrgakx]

Does any 3rd party produce springs (E55 AMG W210) or does it have to be an MB part?

Also - is there any way for *ME* to check? There's no noises from the front apart from a scraping noise when the car is compressed or over a speed bump. I can't see where it's scraping, nothing hanging down nor does the tyre seem to be catching anywhere.

 

[renault12ts]

Do a Google search, there are many after market spring suppliers for Mercedes and everyone else.

Jack the car up and have a look or feel for a break...it will be obvious.