Benz-O-Rama

Now that I've got your attention...

My problem is this:

On my 2004 E500 (Airmatic suspension) I'm hearing a thud or knocking type of sound from the rear suspension when going over some bumps. Hard to explain but let me try. If I go over a speed bump at say, 5-10 mph, your hear the normal sound from the tires compressing and you hear the suspension but a 1/2 of a second after the suspension decompresses to normal ride height, I hear and kinda feel a thud. Kind of if you had a dead body in the trunk and it hopped up in the air when you went over the bump and then landed back on the floor of the trunk. Or had a bowling ball back there and it hit the back of the rear seats after you slammed on the brakes.

I though it was my golf clubs back there so I took them out but I still noticed the noise. Ahh.......as I'm typing this, I just had an idea. Maybe the spare tire? Hmmmm, I'll go look.

Not sure If I've explained this well enough but if anyone has had any kind of experience like this in the past, I would love to know what the problem was. i've made a service appointment for Monday but I would like to go in with more info.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

ATS

Check your spare it could be loose.

konigstiger

I'm guessing they'll replace an air spring/strut and/or dampening shock.

Benz-O-Rama

Maybe. Sounds right, great photo too. I checked the spare tire and everything back there is pretty secure. I do notice it more driving through dips when the weight of the car puts tension on the suspenstion rather than bumps when the wheel is forced up into the suspension. So the noise is happening right after the suspension 'unsprings' for lack of a better term.

Brav

I have the same exact problem. Of course "can not duplicate" Im so tired of this car.

DesiBaba

its a strut problem, dealer replaced it for me free of charge in warranty.

MB Fanatic

I had a strut replaced on the E55 though there was a slight crack in it. It also made the same sounds as yours is right now.

elonepb

Perhaps the dead body in the trunk is causing the noise?

saffrontiger

Maybe it's Hoffa

Benz-O-Rama

Normally, when I'm transporting dead bodies in my trunk, I've already chopped them up into smaller, more manageable pieces and individually bag them. So, if it were the dead body, and not a strut, I would hear more than one knock.

That reminds me. I should probably take care of that before I take my car in for service on Monday.

Dvinn

Always remember to clear out the dead body inside the trunk before going to dealer, you don't want them to void your warranty because of it.

rjm

I had an E-430 that had the identical problem for the 5 years that I owned the car. I always thought it may have been the battery but everything appeared to be tied down securely. Every time I went through an intersection with a rise or dip, I would get a "thump" from the back of the car. Never could figure it out and never considered it important enough to have MB investigate it as all the other stuff I had to get fixed was much more important to keep it out of the garage. Finally sold it.

x-tian-230k

My E55 has the same EXACT problem. Exactly what you explained. The knocking going over bumps and the thud going over speed bump as if something had been lifted and dropped. Let me know what the dealership tells you as I need to bring my car into service.

Dvinn

I really don't feel this is a problem or defect, my car make the same sound going over speed bumps, it is just a characteristic of the airmatic suspension. If you note it carefully it makes the same sound when you drive over bumpy roads at speeds as well, I feel it is the tires hitting the road along with the way air struts dampening that's making this unique sound. After all, if you are going over speed bumps the car should make some kind of noise no matter what.

rjm

Hmmmm! Neither my Lexus LS430 nor my BMW 530i make any noise when going through a hump in an intersection or a speed bump. I hardly think a bumping noise when going over a hump is "normal." It is actually embarrasing if you have passengers and they hear it too....after all, you are driving a Mercedes.

x-tian-230k

I wouldn't think its normal at all. My brothers S500 has airmatic and doesn't make those knocking noises or thumps when going over speed bumps. Its not normal..... especially for $85k performance vehicle.. i have an E55. but some of the E500 has been experiencing it also!

Benz-O-Rama

Ok guys, here's what I've got.


The car has been in since Monday getting looked at for various things:
See below for status:

1. Dead body in trunk
2. Comand not able to play MP3 discs
3. Dynamic seats just time-out and shut-off every now and then. Car must be restarted to fix.
4. After alignment, car still pulled towards the right.



1. They said that one of the rear struts was the culprit so they replaced it along with a control arm. They test drove it and the noise was still there. They think they have it tracked down to something called an "acorn". Not quite sure what this is. They've replaced it, but they said in the process, they had to break off some sort of clip. They ordered this clip but when it arrived this morning, it was the wrong one. Ordered it again, and should arrive tomorrow morning. I'll keep you posted.

2. Upgraded software, we'll see.

3. Replaced Dynamic seat switch module.

4. Are attributing this to the dead body in the trunk problem. Will re-align after repair is made to #1.

x-tian-230k

Thanks man.... Please keep us posted as I am going to bring my car in the shop next week sometime.....

DesiBaba

Maybe the dead guys toe nail got stuck in "Acorn". Is he the same as Cornholio. just wondering.

alewifebp

I've never been able to get rid of the pulling to the right. I also hear similiar noises from the rear, as well as a whole bunch of other suspension creaks. They had also upgraded my COMAND, but have had no luck playing MP3 CD's. I'm so glad that I don't own this car.

Benz-O-Rama

Well, it looks like one more day. EEESSHH!

Was just told that the mechanic has been working all day trying to get this thing back together. Sounds fishy to me. Even if he had to change every component in the air suspension, I don't think it should take 4 days.

Anyway, not much more I can do. Just wait and see.


I'll keep you posted.

BWL

In the first year of ownership I had a "thunking noise" while going over bumps. The service guys confirmed tha both rear struts were leaking and replaced them. No reoccurrence of the problem in the last 20K miles.

alewifebp

Not too unusual for the dealer to take a long time. Mine has been in for various other issues during my scheduled services, and they typically would have my car for a week. Actually, during a fix of a fender bender and a streeting groan, they had it for nearly 2.5 weeks . I don't mind it too much, since they give me a new ML loaner, and since my car is a lease, and I'm going to be over mileage, might as well put a few miles on their cars.

Benz-O-Rama

Just recieved a call from my SA.

I was told that the car is still exhibiting the dead body in trunk noise. They don't know what else it could be and they've opened a case with MB Tech Support. I'm picking the car up in an hour. When I get my receipt of work done, I'll post it so those of you who are seeing the same problem will have something for reference.

Frustration has set in....but I still can't help loving this car.

Benz-O-Rama

Back in the shop today, per my SA's request. I wasn't given a description of work done when I picked it up last week. They said that until they figure it out, they're gonna keep my work ticket open. Anyway, they fixed my dynamic seat problem and I can play MP3's now. Yippee!

Oh, and for those of you that also have a dead body in your trunk. Does the sound get better when in sport2 mode? Mine seems to. But they've also replaced both rear shocks, both air bladders and a control arm so...

I'll keep you posted. This dead body is starting to stink!