Wheel Bearing Causes Cracking Sound for Benz
This bulletin applies to 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. A hard metallic cracking noise may be heard from the front axle area. The noise can typically be reproduced by steering to the left lock, moving off sharply, braking to a stop and/or steering to the right lock, and moving off sharply in reverse. If this maneuver reproduces a single or multiple cracking noises, the cause lies in the right wheel bearing. The cause may be micromovements of the wheel bearing in the steering knuckle.
Remove and replace the wheel bearing on the affected steering knuckle.
Clean the wheel bearing seat in the steering knuckle before installing the new bearing.
Thinly coat the wheel bearing seat with long-life grease over the width of 20-25mm on the side of the groove for the retaining ring.
Thinly coat the wheel bearing outer race with long-life grease across its entire width and press the wheel bearing into the steering knuckle.
Note that all surplus and excess long-life grease forced out must be removed.
About the Author
Information courtesy of Mitchell 1
Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.
Mike Mavrigian
Motor Age Editor
Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.