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The carrier bearing is bad on my 2004 C320 Sport Sedan with105K miles, which alone is $100 part, but the independent repair shop says the whole drive shaft assembly, a $1K+ part should also be replaced. They also said MB no longer offers the front and rear drive shaft, so I would have to go aftermarket or remanufactured. If the whole drive shaft assembly has to be replaced when the carrier bearing is bad, why does MB or others even sell just the carrier bearing?
The carrier bearing is bad on my 2004 C320 Sport Sedan with105K miles, which alone is $100 part, but the independent repair shop says the whole drive shaft assembly, a $1K+ part should also be replaced. They also said MB no longer offers the front and rear drive shaft, so I would have to go aftermarket or remanufactured. If the whole drive shaft assembly has to be replaced when the carrier bearing is bad, why does MB or others even sell just the carrier bearing?
Why do they think the whole driveshaft needs replaced, especially with 105k on it? Are they just being greedy? I haven't personally looked at the driveshaft on my coupe yet, but the other MB cars I've owned consist of flex discs, carrier and bearing.....all of which are serviceable and readily available from several sources. The caveat to owning these older MB's is that they can get expensive if you can't perform a great deal of the maintenance yourself.
90 VW Corrado g60, 07 New Beetle Vert triple white & 09 Escalade ESV Plat LOL!
It sounds like whoever is offering the advice / solution to repair it is going for the full Monty fix.
Alfa uses the flex disc / guibo joint too. I’ve heard the key to replacing just one flex disc is marking the orientation of both ends of the shaft prior to removal and reassembling clocked exactly the same
Apparently this ensures the balance continuity previously set to the drive train. I’ve been told if this isn’t done then the entire unit must be replaced.
My understanding is that the bearing can be replaced with a puller tool. Only trick is to make sure the splines between the 2 halves are reinstalled in their original locations or there will be balance issues.
I sought a second opinion from another tire shop. Upon placing the MB on the rack, he demonstrated no laxity in the drive shaft. During the test drive process, he slipped my MB into neutral at speed, thus disengaging the drive shaft and the rattling noise persisted. He also felt the rattling noise was more consistent with composite material-to-composite material vs metal upon metal, so based upon the evidence, he R/O carrier support drive shaft or suspension woes. He suggested seeking someone else to pinpoint the origin of the rattling noise. So, the moral to the story is, if initially confronted with a significant repair job, seek a second opinion.
90 VW Corrado g60, 07 New Beetle Vert triple white & 09 Escalade ESV Plat LOL!
Nice work on getting the 2nd.
Check those exhaust system rubber hangers. They may make aftermarket ones with a small bracelet made of chain embedded inside the rubber hanger to double its life.
The problem was ID'd and repaired correctly for $569 at an independent garage vs Pep Boys carrier support bearing and drive shaft assembly replacement for $1,500+. Thanks for your advice and input.
"Good morning Glenn, Fred has the following notes for your review: PERFORM TEST DRIVE CONFIRM NOISE. LIFT VEHICLE, LOWER EXHAUST SHIELDING TO INSPECT DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT AREA, FOUND PROTECTIVE DUST BOOT DETERIORATED, SLINGING AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR. REMOVED REMNANTS OF BOOT, TEST DRIVE FIND NOISE ABATED. NEEDS TO HAVE DRIVE SHAFT DISASSEMBLED AND INSTALL NEW PROTECTIVE BOOT. ESTIMATE $570 INCLUDING DIAGNOSIS, LABOR, PART, TAX.”
The problem was ID'd and repaired correctly for $569 at an independent garage vs Pep Boys carrier support bearing and drive shaft assembly replacement for $1,500+. Thanks for your advice and input.
"Good morning Glenn, Fred has the following notes for your review: PERFORM TEST DRIVE CONFIRM NOISE. LIFT VEHICLE, LOWER EXHAUST SHIELDING TO INSPECT DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT AREA, FOUND PROTECTIVE DUST BOOT DETERIORATED, SLINGING AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR. REMOVED REMNANTS OF BOOT, TEST DRIVE FIND NOISE ABATED. NEEDS TO HAVE DRIVE SHAFT DISASSEMBLED AND INSTALL NEW PROTECTIVE BOOT. ESTIMATE $570 INCLUDING DIAGNOSIS, LABOR, PART, TAX.”
I can only say thanks for posting this as my coupe has had a speed related ticking sound for a while which I have so far not managed to identify! Mine sounds like its right below the drive shaft tunnel so Im going to have a look for this boot you speak of!
Thank you
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