Hello everyone. This is my first post, just joined a few days ago. I just purchased a 2002 ml 500 w/45k mi. The truck is beautiful, but only four days later my wife says its making a clicking sound when she's parking. Last night when I got home from work I took it for a spin. It makes a click sound when put into d or r with the brakes held. It will also make the sound when i release the brakes and begin to roll. The same sound is heard when i slow to a stop. No sound or anything when above 3 mph.

My guesses:
1- brake linings starting to seperate
2- drive shaft link worn
3- differentail
4- transmission

Right now I told the wife to leave the truck home. I going to take a closer look tonight, but if anyone has experienced this before please provide any insight into this "noise".

P.S. I wouldn't classify the sound as a clunk, bang or jerk. Its not too loud but its noticable.

 

Well after some investigating, I deducted it is not the brakes making the noise. The noise is more of a creak. 2-4 creaks when the vehicles momuntum changes. eg. accelerating from a standstill or braking farly strongly. It also occurs at low speed during parking with moderate brakes. The sound is coming from under the truck between the axles. My best guess now is its probably a bushing that needs lubicating or retorqueing. Sounds like metal on rubber or polymer moving ever so slightly. Unfortunately I dont have a lift to fully raise the truck while someone puts it in drive then rev. I might have to take her in to the "stealership".

 

I recently purchased a 2001 ML430 and have the same problem. I would be curious as to the diagnosis.
ML430