I have a 118k Mile 2009 E350 recently I’ve had a noise coming from the rear of the car, this started off very quietly but progressed to a decent volume, I’ve replaced the rear bearings on both sides, this made the noise ALMOST go away … for about 2 days then it returned.
Any other ideas of things that I should check?
Details about the noise :
Changes volume and pitch only based on the speed of the car, putting it into neutral whilst at speed makes no difference to noise at all, there’s no change as it shifts through the gears. Purely related to speed.
For the level of noise reference, at 70 mph it sounds like you’re holding 3500 Rpm or so.
As mentioned I put new wheel bearings on the rear and it came back after only 2 days.
Rear differential whine, maybe. Check the fluid level, check the magnetic fill plug for trash, then drain it and search for metallic bits. Inspect the gears for wear, bearings for free play, refill and cross your fingers it goes away.
Good ideas above. I’m guessing either the differential fluid level is low or the wrong spec, or a problem with the rear brakes. If the rear differential fluid level is now low or has ever been low for an extended time, given the wheel bearing clue, you may be looking at needing a major rear axle service job.
Rear tires are pretty warn, I’m going to estimate they’ve done about 20k miles. Still look in decent shape but yes the noise is pretty extreme though, I suppose it could be tire related but I’d be very very surprised if it caused this much noise.
It started probably when I had about 10k miles on the tires only so It would be pretty crappy if it was the cause of it.
Exactly. My Toyota Celica was making noises in the rear. I thought I was looking at a worn pinion or ring gear in the differential. It was time to rotate tires, after I got done, noise was coming from the front!