murphy1

My wife's 2005 C240 4Matic has gotten progressively noisier over the last three months. Took it into the dealer and they confirmed that it was coming from transfer case and it would cost me $4000+ to replace the transfer case. I then took the car to a specialty repair shop for an estimate and they also confirmed that the noise was coming from the transfer case and oh by the way did I know that there was a Technical Service Bulletin out (2007100004) for the transfer case for that year and model. Apparently the C class transfer case was added to TSB this May. It had already covered the E & S classes.

A couple of questions.

1. Does anyone have the update to this TSB? I can't find anything on the Internet.
2. Does an authorized Mercedes dealer have to do the replacement. For a number of reasons, I'm not happy with my local dealer.
3. Why wouldn't the dealer tell me about the TSB? It's my understanding that Mercedes would pay the dealer for the work so unless the service people are incompetent, it doesn't make any sense.

SickSpeedMonte

My car is in the shop for repairs under warranty right now, and the problem is related to something that is covered in a TSB (the HVAC blower motor regulator) and I was never notified.

I don't think that they have to unless there is a recall.

LILBENZ230

No notifications for TSBs. Also, dealers are not obligated to fix problems addressed by TSBs once the warranty expires. Just an FYI.

murphy1

What if it was also a Campaign? Does Mercedes cover it then? Was the transfer case issue a campaign or just a TSB? I can't find any information on that.

murphy1

After continuing discussions with the dealer, I'm semi-convinced at this point that the TSB doesn't apply anyway as it appears that the noise is coming from a bearing that is failing. Now in my experience bearings fail for two main reasons, inadequate lubrication or too high a loading of particles in the oil. Based upon the service report it appears that the oil was heavy laden with metallic particles. I asked what the transfer case oil change period was and was initially told 39,000 miles. I was later told that 39,000 mile change was only for new C class cars and that according to my car's Electronic Service Sheet, there is no requirement for a transfer case oil change, i.e. the oil is left in for the life of the transfer case, which in my case appears to be 60,000 miles.

In doing some research on the Internet, I found a MB Circular PW NR. 44/05 NFZ NR. 20/05 dated 4/23/05 that recommends changing the oil in both the transmission and transfer case for the 203 4Matic at 60,000 kilometers. This recommendation apparently never made it to the Electronic Service Sheet as some MB owners in the UK have discovered.

Anyone have any idea why MB would recommend the oil change, but not implement on the Electronic Service Sheet? They apparently have decided that this oil change out is a good idea as the latest models do have the requirement.

I'm going to pursue this through MBUSA and see what happens.