jawo

Hi,
I have a 2004 mod.E320 4Matic wagon with 135K miles on the clock.
I have some noise from the rear of the car.
It is a kind of rumbling, knocking, grinding noise. It is only when I reverse, and especially when I reverse, and turns simultaneously. I've been to the workshop, and they said to not worry.
They said the sound is normal, and made by the difference in the speed of the front and rear differentials.
I'm no mechanic, but I found the explanation from the workshop to be misguiding. I have little or no mechanical skills, and no opportunities for controlling what makes the sounds myself.
Does anyone have any suggestions to what causes the noice. For me, the noise have a rather "expensive to repair sound".
Thanks for any suggestions .

zubin.p

Do you feel any form of vibration in the steering wheel when making a turn? Maybe the rear diff needs a fluid flush. When was the last time you had that done? I had a grinding noise but not the knocking noise as you mentioned when turning at low speeds. Cost about 300 at the the dealer and got it done around 104k miles. Took care of the problem.

jawo

zubin.p
Thanks for the tip. I have a appointment whit the workshop next week to have a check of the rear differential. What was the viscosity of the oil you used? I to have a slight vibration in the steering wheel. BTW. the noise disappeared while driving faster than 5mph.

zubin.p

Yes the noise/ vibrations only occur at very low speeds while turning. Most likely they will suggest a transfer case fluid flush. The fluid is a 236.13 spec P/N A 001 989 23 03 10

jawo

zubin.p,
I went to the workshop yesterday to check the vibrations. I flushed the fluid in the transfer case, it was black, but the vibrations was still there.
Then we saw that the rubber boot on the spline was cracked, and there was no grease inside. It was dry as a dessert. We filled the boot with new grease, and the vibrations/noice disappeared. I assume that I have to buy a new/secondhand shaft. I don't think I can buy only the rubber boot

wjcandee

Partsgeek.com has some amazing prices on axles...like under $200.

jawo

Thank you.

I have checked, but they dont have to axle for my car. I wish that someone just make a replacement for the boot. That's all I need

wjcandee

There is specific procedure for doing a transfer case flush if you are trying to solve the vibration when turning. It's more than just replacing the fluid, and is on a work card. When my MB dealer did it for me, it totally solved the problem. And the MB stuff is a specific product available at the dealer.

jawo

I think the transfer case flush was done the right way. But is was not the case oil who made the problem, but there was no grease inside the boot. It was filled up with new grease, and the sound/noise disappeared. There is a large crack in the boot, that's why I have to replace the whole drive shaft. They don't sell only the boot.

wjcandee

There are some companies that do sell just the boot, but it depends upon which boot you need to replace. Do you have the part number for the shaft you are talking about? I'm happy to help by trying to check.

SEE, for example, this diagram: http://www.mbpartsworld.com/showAsse...sembly=1074138

Certain boots on the diagram are available as separate parts. Click on the FULLSIZE IMAGE link above the minimized image, and look at the items labeled "50".

When you get the stock number of the boot you need, Huskerparts.com has them for less than mbpartsworld. See, for example, http://www.huskerparts.com/parts/ind...&siteid=215771

jawo

wjcandee


The part # on the shaft is A2204107106. It goes from the transfer case on the right hand side on the gearbox, to the front differential . It is not the driveshaft to the wheel.
Thank you for the links. I'm happy for all help I can get.
I'll try to send you an image og the end of the shaft.

konigstiger

Correct, MB does not offer shaft parts, use 2204107106 to search online i.e.: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...-mb-2204107106
https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/international-orders

jawo

Quote:

Originally Posted by konigstiger

Correct, MB does not offer shaft parts, use 2204107106 to search online i.e.:

Thanks for the link. I see that the shaft don't have the rubber boot. Why?
Is it the correct shaft?
I found the corect shaft on Ebay, with the rubber boot.
http://tinyurl.com/omfjbfc

It is also the cheapest I have seen so far.
The price is including shipping cost
I see that this seller also have a large inventory with boots. Mabe som of them wil fit
http://tinyurl.com/omfjbfc

konigstiger

If you are referring to vendor, part # is correct I assume they use generic image.

wjcandee

Febest makes good stuff. If you can get the real thing from their dealer in Estonia for those kind of prices, I would say to go for it. If they had the boot, I think it would show on their drawing, but there is nothing wrong with contacting them directly to see if they sell it.

FCPEuro

I sent an email over to their tech support. I'll let you guys know how they respond.

--Kyle

jawo

Thanks Kyle. I will check it out.

FCPEuro

Per Dorman Product manager:

"Hello Kyle,

Most of our drive shafts will differ from the OE. In this case, we did eliminate the need for the dust boot. It will not be required with our replacement shaft.

Thank you"

jawo

Thank you. Yes, I have seen that most of the shafts offer for sale, do not have the boot. I understand that the boot free shafts are an improvement.
Thak you for your help.

Jimsw211

Have you been told that you need your rear diff replaced?