Mercedes-Benz are a high quality, reliable manufacturer of top rated cars. We regularly service and maintain Mercedes vehicles in our garage here at A1 Diagnostics, and recently had a CLS CL5350 model brought in for some diagnostic expertise. Here is the vehicle pictured below.
The car had developed a knocking sound from the front, but no visible signs of broken parts. This was a case for our expert team of mechanics, who have more than 75 years’ experience between them.
A common source for knocking sounds is the front drive shaft, a small but mighty component that connects the car’s transmission to the front axle. It is a spinning part that sends energy to the wheels to improve grip and control on wet and slippery roads. Sound important? We agree, so it’s one of the first things we check when diagnosing this kind of problem.
Knocking, clicking or clunking noises can all indicate a front drive shaft issue, as can vibrations inside the car either from the floorboards or the steering wheel itself. If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your vehicle in for a checkup.
However, the knocking noises that our customer described could also be caused by suspension faults, including worn-out stabilizer links or loose drivetrain components. Stabilizer links wearing out is among the most common faults to cause knocking or banging noises, and it is frequently revealed when driving over bumpy roads or – you guessed it – potholes!
The uneven surface will cause these small rods that connect your car’s suspension to the supporting sway bar to make a noise like a knock or rattle, indicating that they’re needing to be replaced. They are an important feature, helping the car to stay flat when turning, especially at speed. So getting them overhauled is a smart move.
In the case of this Mercedes, the forward location of the knocking indicated a front drive shaft problem, and after some expert TLC from our mechanical team, the car was back to full strength. Contact A1 Diagnostics if you have any concerns about your vehicle’s fitness and our team will be happy to help.
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A1-Diagnostics and ECU Repairs
64 Sloper Road
Leckwith,
Cardiff
CF11 8AB
Tel: (029 20) 220380
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Email: info@a1-diagnostics.com