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So I'd check out the immobiliser - (aka driver authorization system) or just empty your key chain a bit. Good luck.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Anyway, what I have is described more as a creak than a squeak. There is no metal involved in the creak and I can't seem to pintpoint the location. I've had my wife drive and I've tried running my hand along the areas up against the windshield/dash to see if I can make it stop... but I can't.
Also, the creak ONLY appears to happen when the weather is cooler. If it's warm (>55 degrees or so) then this doesn't happen.
* 1st time this occured, it seemed to be a slight creak... and then it eventually crawled all the way across the base of the windshield. Went to dealership and they sprayed some silicon down in there (or somewhere) and it went away only to come back later.
* 2nd time this occured, it seemd to only be on the passenger side near the base of the windshield. Wife took it to the dealership and they said that a clamp was loose and then this is what was done "NON TO R&R UPPER PORTION OF A-PILLAR TO APPLY FELT AND LUBE". Now the problem appears to be on the driver's side of the car?!
Help me fix this problem as it's extremely aggravating.
Thanks!
This is what you said about it:
<<<<
Spraying some silicon spray into that area (along the base of the windshield/dash) and letting it work its way in for a few days solved the probem for me. However, I did mention it at Service A. FYI, according to the work order, "A-pillar trim fit foam under dash corner to realign corner of dash. Refit A-pillar trim". The slight amount of play that used to be there is now completely gone. It is as tight as the A-pillar trim/dashboard on the driver's side. No squeaks, no creaks. :-)
Drew
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Vans and SUVs message boards
>>>>>
Can anyone offer suggestions on addressing this issue?
Thanks!
this occurs going forward and backward!
turns heads.
no warning on brake wear sensor...
i hope it's brake dust. or else..i'm pretty much wearing out my brakes and rotors ...
service b coming up..so maybe i'll have it checked out...
dt77
fullspeed.to/ml
Sometime last March, I had complained of brake squeak when backing up and when slowing to a stop.
Service advisor told me rear pad need a changin'.
The warning sensor had not come on yet, but I forget wat percentage he told me was left of it but he said it was almost down to the sensor.
That say, my brake pads were replaced at 9962 miles. cost : $276.53 (parts and labor).
I have pics below of the old pads - almost down to the sensor.
*** on a side note, my fronts were replaced a few months under warranty for squeak.
dt77
2000 ml430
fullspeed.to/ml
I had a fuel pump problem last year too. couldn't start car, fuel was spilling out from under the tank (the fuel line came loose after a previous service). fuel pump was replaced if i rem correctly.
dt77
fullspeed.to/ml
Brakes - while mounting the new tires, the wheels were actually so stuck to the hubs that the shop had to use penetrating oil to help break free the hubs. They then sprayed the brakes with brake cleaner and viola, the annoying brake squeal this truck has always had disappeared (95%). Unfortunately, I need rear brakes, so I'm sure my new pads will squeal as before. (I've fought with the dealer to resolve this problem before and they were unwilling to do anything until I needed new pads).
On my way home, I opened the sunroof and off came the wind deflector (pop-up one). I stopped and picked up all the parts, put them in the back seat, and will take it to MB to see what they say.
SRS light, for the third time my SRS light is going off. Dealer has replaced two seat belt assemblies and now will do the rear three. They claim that the childseat may be culprit as it's always in the car! We'll see.
FYI, i also was called about an engine cowling recall, anyone had this done yet? What was the problem?
I just brought a new ML500 from a north Jersey dealer last weekend. The purchase contract says the truck has "10 miles" on it but when I got home and found its meter actually read "500" and change. I called the dealer back. They first denied saying every Mercedes was like that. When I challenged them, they admitted the the car had been used as a demo. The nav records showed this "demo" had been through many trips to Manhattan and once even to Conneticut. What do you think I should do in this situation? Please advise. Many thanks.
mark
The mileage on the vehicle is supposed to be recorded at the point of delivery. So if your paperwork says 10 miles, then there should only be 10 miles on the meter when they handed you your keys and gave you your intro to the car's feature and function.
I'm not sure, but I don't think this is legal and completely fraudulent on the dealer's part. And if so, this would also be grounds for a breech of contract.
1. There is no "door ajar" warning light. I hate my 540 because it doesn't say w/c door is open but this is worse. You would think this would be standard.
2. The passenger side rear view mirror does not tilt down. I had the dealer check this and they said that the M1 and M5 package doesn't cover it huh?
3. Volume control is out of the way. Noticed that this is very popular on the list.
Other than the above, the car is an excellent SUV.
2. I believe this feature can only be had with the M2 option.
3. I too felt that the AutoPilot's automatic volume adjustments were annoying - at first. But it kind of grew on me and now I think it's quite useful. Either way, you can always have the dealership adjust its sensitivity or deactivate completely if you wish.
M.
Good luck!
the price below INVOICE? What price did the dealer initially want?
I'd really appreciate if you could share your experience.
Happy Motoring, Mark
I ran out of warranty at 50,000 miles but other than to replace a defective nav system antenna, never needed it. This is the best vehicle I've ever owned (note "ever") and I'm in my 60's so have owned many including over ten MB products. I have an E320 which just sits in the garage since all my drivers prefer the ML.
Thanks in advance...George
If you're lucky, it could just be some air that's made its way into your brake lines - cheap and easy to fix!
tidester
Host
SUVs
I finally resorted to using the bungie cords I had bought to keep luggage from rolling around. I ran the cord through the hole in each one and secured the ends to the hooks in the back.
Now the plates are lightly sprung in the air. They lay flat if any weight is put on them but stay up when uploaded so they don't bang around. Its great now.
On brakes, my ML320 has 37K miles on it. The dealer just said that they mic'd the front brakes and it will need servicing soon. I told him I'd wait until the light comes on and he dropped the sales pitch. I do a lot of highway driving and downshift a gear instead of braking when its safe. I believe the brake life is very dependent on driving conditions and habits.
I just ordered a tow hitch from www.clair.com. It was $250 + $14 shipping. (No
taxes on internet sales). Dealers were quoting $295 + tax. I am going to install
it myself. Does any one know how I can remove the rear bumber?
Tony
I don't tail gate or hit the brakes hard but my wife drives like a maniac so I'd estimate 90% of the brake wear is from her.
Here is a company that sells a compound that should help, it goes on the back of the pad, acts as a cushion allowing the pad to make full contact a lower pressures.
http://www.noisefree.com/
http://www.detnews.com/2002/insiders/0202/18/insider-419985.htm
Your explanation seems more than plausable to me, like you have been there. Also, the brakes appear to be temperature sensitive, they squeal more when cold and louder when colder. They also stop squealing with increased pressure (more than I like or need to apply) just like as you suggest. The really odd thing is, on my ML430 it is only in reverse. I rarely if ever hear anything while moving forward, but I wake up the neighborhood while backing out of the driveway in the morning. This seems like a different situation than the one you describe with the tapering of pads from forward motion, but perhaps related.
How much does noise free compound cost?
As far as the black dust and wear they have nothing to do, Mercedes uses a softer pad with high organic (carbon) fillers and binders, this soft pads is what gives the MB this smooth and sure braking, plus the rotor last longer because of less abrasion at the expense of the pad.
My deal was effortless. The dealer is located around Wash DC and it is worth a little drive/train to go pick it up if you are anywhere near. I tool the train up and had a wonderful drive back. It was even in the middle of a horrible snow storm, saw at least 40 cars upside down or stranded, the ML never wavered....I went all through the Shenendoah Mountains on the way home in the storm....what fun!
Anyhow, the dealer quoted that right off the bat, I kept waiting for the "hook", but one never came. I will definitely check in with them on my next one (they have four mfg's). When i went to pick it up, I happened to run into someone else i told this dealer about. He had driven down from Jersey and ordered one on the spot after he got a similar deal (he got straight invoice).
Post your email if you want the dealer name/salesperson
Good luck
I don't think it's a good idea for people to be posting their email addresses on the boards. An alternative would be for you to expose your email address in your profile. Anyone interested in contacting you could then look it up by clicking your name on your post and contact you without having to make their own address public.
tidester
Host
SUVs
http://www.detnews.com/2002/insiders/0202/26/insider-426466.htm
Rigth now I have a GM truck also and is nothing to write home about, it does not have that precise steering of the Mercedes (amongst many other things), one does not become aware of it until one drives the ML, now I dont want to drive the truck for long distance travel, is not as pleasurable, the wandering steer is annoying.
To say that Detroit still has the upper hand in value has to be taken with a grain of salt, their top SUV's cost more or the same, neither the cheaps ones nor the more expensive one have the same degree of sophistication of the ML and they are not trouble free either.
And lets not forget that Detroit has the upper hand in dishing out pure junk in the past, for the past 35 years I bought my share of it, my ML may have a rattle here and there, but that is a far cry from engines going out as soon as 70K or transmissions going at 45K with some serious repairs in between and a total lack of handling etiquette.
I will not dispute that the Alabama plant has some quality problems, to me is labor related including the subs, I have heard of some flaws from ML owners that borders on third world labor quality.
In a nutshell is like this, an ML owner will concede that the vehicles has issues but is such a pleasure to drive that if they got rid of some of this issues it would be a top vehicle.
Had my share of arbitrations with GM and hidden warranties, scores of recalls on Chrysler products and switched to all foreign made and never looked back.
Have enjoyed Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Subaru and MB. Dealer support in ALL cases far exceeded my the terrible support on 3 Cadilacs from GM.
Going on my 4th year with a '99 ML320 and sure it has had its annoyances but the dealer has always come through.
In fact recently several items were replaced without my intervention by the dealer so that I would not be liable after the warranty expires in
late August. They were all typical items found on this chat site to be problematic over the years and all were items that do not alter my most favorable impression of the ML. It remains a finely engineered vehicle with some bad OEM parts hung on it in Alabama.
You don't throw the baby out with the bath water or some such cliche.
That recent visit to the dealer under warranty found the rear shocks, fuel pump and lines, window switches, oil pan sensor, 9qts. of Mobil 1,
rear seat removed, adjusted and replaced all without a peep out of me or a dollar.
Try that with your Escalade under a GM bumper to bumper warranty where it seems only the bumpers are covered!
Again, Thor is on point; the ML remains a finely engineered suv with a great engine and drive train
The article also corroborates what everybody is saying, that quality is sliping, new cars do not rank that well but old Mercedes, those in the age of 6 to 11 years old rank a lot better.
http://just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=37342&dm=yes
That sounds like a very proactive dealer! Taking care of those nagging details. I don't suppose this dealer is located in So Cal? I definetly can use a dealership that stands by the customer and doesn't simply turn their head with "no problem found" or writing stuff off as "that's normal".