Help,has anyoneheard ofthis problem before....my 2002 E320 4matic is making pretty loud (rusty) metal rubbing noise occasionally when driving very slow (eg. reversing into a parking spot) in a fairly hot day. The pattern seems to be after abusy driving around the city (stop, shop and go) in a hot day (eg an hour drive in 30C+ weather), then the noise wouldbegin to show up when doing reverse. No noise when going straight or in normal speed. The noise sounds quite scary because it was like two heavy 'rusty' metals rubbing each others and pretty loud as well. I can actaully felt the 'rubbing' from the steering wheel. My wife worrys the wheel might come off or something. I reported to dealership couple of times in thepasttwo yearsalready but they didn't find anything, simply I believe because the weather were not hot enough at the time (and drove long enough) when they were checking. It happens 3 times in the past two weeks and I am worry. Any suggestion or idea of this problem?

Thomas
Toronto, Ontario

 

Hi,

Difficult to diagnose noises without hearing them oneself however your description is pretty good and I would suggest a brake disc rotor water shield has been bent slightly and the gap between the rotor and the shield is too small.

Heat (expansion) and driving backwards (bearing slack is taken up in different direction) and steering (hub flex) ...although you didn't mention this last one
all seem to support a light (rusty, worrying) rub.

Alternatively it could be the pads catching on the rusty worn edge of the rotors but since you have had this problem for 2 years+ this is unlikely.

With your description a shop should be able to eliminate these suggestions easily and quickly.

I don't believe that this is anything serious since the problem has existed for so long BUT IF YOU ARE CONCERNED get it checked out by somebody with a keen pair of eyes. Not just a quick flash up the road.

Stuart

 

Thank you, Stuart, for the analysis. I am going to ask for an appointment to check it out cause I am pretty concern of this noise. I will pass your info to the dealership and see if that would guide them to the right direction for troubleshooting. I will keep you posted as to the outcome of the investigation. Thanks.