Axle Bind/Front Differential Problems?
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Joined: Apr 2019
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05 c240 4-matic wagon
Axle Bind/Front Differential Problems?
Hey guys. Making an account on here to try and help out my mother. She has a w203 c240 4-matic wagon. She has had a problem since she bought it, but has had the car looked at several times and has been told that it is all normal and there are no problems. But after riding in the car today, I'm noticing two issues:
The first of which is an axle bind or CV joint issue. When making 90 degree turns or greater, there is an audible clicking and the car has a bit of a shudder or jerk to it while the wheel is turned. These are low-speed situations, like drive-thru's, parking lots, turning around in the driveway etc. It reminds me of trying to make tight turns in a 4-wheel drive truck when it's in 4-low. Her CV axles have been inspected and no torn boots or worn joints, and I can feel like the issue is definitely coming from the front half of the driveline. Is this an indicator that we need to service the transfer case maybe? Or the front diff, maybe both? Suspension and steering components are all tight, she's a modest driver and does not stress the car in any way.
The other issue that I have noticed is that when coming to a stop I can feel a clunk or like a torsional load is taken off when the transmission starts to disengage. This only happens when coming to a full stop at a stoplight or stop sign. I'm familiar with BMW driveshafts and the use of a Guibo disk or torsion dampener in the driveshaft, so I wonder if this could be something similar.
Before any one recommends it, I did do a search in the forum for "axle bind" and did not come up with any relevant results, the only post I could find was for TSB's but did not see anything related to my issues. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I'm sure someone else has experienced this before. Thanks so much!
The first of which is an axle bind or CV joint issue. When making 90 degree turns or greater, there is an audible clicking and the car has a bit of a shudder or jerk to it while the wheel is turned. These are low-speed situations, like drive-thru's, parking lots, turning around in the driveway etc. It reminds me of trying to make tight turns in a 4-wheel drive truck when it's in 4-low. Her CV axles have been inspected and no torn boots or worn joints, and I can feel like the issue is definitely coming from the front half of the driveline. Is this an indicator that we need to service the transfer case maybe? Or the front diff, maybe both? Suspension and steering components are all tight, she's a modest driver and does not stress the car in any way.
The other issue that I have noticed is that when coming to a stop I can feel a clunk or like a torsional load is taken off when the transmission starts to disengage. This only happens when coming to a full stop at a stoplight or stop sign. I'm familiar with BMW driveshafts and the use of a Guibo disk or torsion dampener in the driveshaft, so I wonder if this could be something similar.
Before any one recommends it, I did do a search in the forum for "axle bind" and did not come up with any relevant results, the only post I could find was for TSB's but did not see anything related to my issues. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I'm sure someone else has experienced this before. Thanks so much!
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 152
Likes: 23
2011 C300 Sport 4matic, 2005 C240 4matic, 2003 C230K Sport, 1999 C230K Sport, 1969 220D (first car!)
Your description of the noises from the front end on slow tight turns sounds very much like what I noticed on my daughter’s 2005 C240 4matic sedan.
Changing the fluid in the transfer case completely eliminated the sounds and shudder while turning. It was a shocking improvement and a bit difficult to believe. I also replaced the trans and differential fluid.
Changing the trans filter and fluid also tightened up the tranny and made it more responsive. It was ok before, no real issues, but it seemed to have a slight delay between coasting and then applying power. YMMV. As you mention, it’s also worthwhile inspecting the drive shaft components.
Her car has 137k miles but now it drives like new. Search a bit on “4matic service” or “transfer case fluid” and you’ll find lots of info.
Good luck!
5by5
Changing the fluid in the transfer case completely eliminated the sounds and shudder while turning. It was a shocking improvement and a bit difficult to believe. I also replaced the trans and differential fluid.
Changing the trans filter and fluid also tightened up the tranny and made it more responsive. It was ok before, no real issues, but it seemed to have a slight delay between coasting and then applying power. YMMV. As you mention, it’s also worthwhile inspecting the drive shaft components.
Her car has 137k miles but now it drives like new. Search a bit on “4matic service” or “transfer case fluid” and you’ll find lots of info.
Good luck!
5by5
Last edited by 5by5; Apr 22, 2019 at 03:34 PM. Reason: Typo
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Joined: Nov 2016
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From: San Francisco, CA
Currently: 2005 C240 4matic wagon. Previously: 2001 C320 sedan.
As mentioned above, change the transfer case fluid and it may correct the binding you're experiencing when doing tight turns at low speeds.
For the clunking, it could be your transmission mount or engine mounts. It also could be your drive shaft flex discs. It also could be parts of your steering and suspension. I'd start by checking the first two - engine mounts can be checked by having someone rev the engine while you watch the engine block and see how much play there ends up being in the engine mounts. There are several Youtube videos out there demonstrating this. If you look under your car, you should be able to inspect the DS flex discs and the transmission mount (you may need to remove the plastic skid plates).
For the clunking, it could be your transmission mount or engine mounts. It also could be your drive shaft flex discs. It also could be parts of your steering and suspension. I'd start by checking the first two - engine mounts can be checked by having someone rev the engine while you watch the engine block and see how much play there ends up being in the engine mounts. There are several Youtube videos out there demonstrating this. If you look under your car, you should be able to inspect the DS flex discs and the transmission mount (you may need to remove the plastic skid plates).
