Car shakes when turning, rear diff? Transfer case?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
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From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Car shakes when turning, rear diff? Transfer case?
I brought my car in for alignment and while on the lift another problem was identified. When the car's steering wheel is turned to the left the car begins to jump or shake. I can also feel this when pulling into a parking spot. The tech said it sounds like it is coming from the rear diff or transfer case. Does anyone have experience with fixing this and how much it'll run?
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Joined: Dec 2010
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C280 4Matic
I am not sure this is the right answer to your problem but there is a good posiblility that it is the transfer case. Everyone describes the same problem a little differently and your car may have other issues. My 07 4matic has and still does go through some shuddering when turning sharp at slow speeds. There is a service bulletin issued in 01-28-09 addressing this very thing. The fix is to change the fluid in the transfer case. I had it changed at the recommended 39k miles by the dealer. I have changed it twice myself since the car is out of warranty. After about 3k miles it does it again. However, when the temperature in my area was cold it did not do it. I have gone back to the dealer and talked to the service manager and the shop foreman. Both told me that while it is annoying it will cause no harm and that some of the 4matics just seem prone to it. They explained what is happening with the discs inside but both told me that they have never had any failure with the transfer case even with some that have shuddered for several hundred thousand miles. Before too long I will change it one more time and if it starts it again I will just forget about it and drive the car. By the way, when I change the fluid it stops it completely so I know that is where the grinding sound/shuddering is coming from.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
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From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Hi I really appreciate the response and the symptoms you are describing are what I am experiencing. I'm glad to hear that a simple fluid change will resolve this issue. *knock on wood* I have yet to change the transfer case's fluid but will make a service appointment this Friday.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
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From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Just a follow up for future references. The transfer case fluid was flushed and changed in addition to the rear tranny mount and the problem has been solved. Primarily by the flush, however while there I replaced the mount because it was weak, most likely because of the shaking caused by the transfer case.
