Dying drive shaft or worse
09-19-2018, 09:40 AM
#77
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
OK, I made two short videos. The first one is on the road at around 100km/h and lifting off the accelerator. The noise can be heard after 10secs or so. The second one is on engine start-up. Rumble sound which decreases over the seconds
09-20-2018, 01:42 AM
#78
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Hmm yes I hear the noise.....
Do you feel any vibrations in the car when the noise occurs?
seems to come from your driveline, as it sounds in the first Video.
funny is that you have this noise at the start of the engine.
would again say that it does not come from the drive Train...
Do you feel any vibrations in the car when the noise occurs?
seems to come from your driveline, as it sounds in the first Video.
funny is that you have this noise at the start of the engine.
would again say that it does not come from the drive Train...
09-20-2018, 03:58 AM
#79
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
Last night on the motorway when slowing down to 100kmh and holding that speed with the tempomat, my queen groaned like she was no longer liking things at all 
I'll try and do a video today of that noise if I can get it to do it again. Otherwise I guess it's going to go in to the dealer when they can take her.
I'll try and do a video today of that noise if I can get it to do it again. Otherwise I guess it's going to go in to the dealer when they can take her.
09-20-2018, 04:29 AM
#80
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So you have this noise only at a certain Speed?
This noise did not occur until you changed your engine bearings?
for me it sounds like an unbalanced.
our c43s have always struggled with unbalance in the drivetrain......
This noise did not occur until you changed your engine bearings?
for me it sounds like an unbalanced.
our c43s have always struggled with unbalance in the drivetrain......
09-21-2018, 05:50 AM
#84
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
Yeah, that's what I'm starting to think also, specially as I can hear a whirling sound on start up which lowers down and stops a couple of seconds later. Nois is more present when the engine and mechanical parts are hot. Stopping by at the dealer next week to book for a check around and oil service. It's needed now.
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; 09-21-2018 at 05:53 AM.
09-21-2018, 11:04 AM
#85
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I think the car needs to go on a rack where it can be safely diagnosed while running up and down through the gears. The noise may be a side effect of the broken engine support - something damaged when the engine was able to move in an uncontrolled manner. It is probably a long shot, but maybe a damaged cat.
09-21-2018, 01:45 PM
#86
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
I think the car needs to go on a rack where it can be safely diagnosed while running up and down through the gears. The noise may be a side effect of the broken engine support - something damaged when the engine was able to move in an uncontrolled manner. It is probably a long shot, but maybe a damaged cat.
Let's see what the MB garage discovers later next week or so when I've booked a moment with them.
09-24-2018, 04:14 AM
#88
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
I hope so also, as I don't really drive her any more for fear of a breakdown and driving in the autumn with all the fantastic colours is soooo nice, before going into a long winter hibernation
10-03-2018, 01:11 PM
#89
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
So, today I kicked myself in the butt and found some courage to lift the skirts of my Queen in order to get under her and have another close look at what could be the cause of the persistent noise.
BINGO!!! Found it
The head of one of the pipe clamp bolts holding the exhaust just after the secondary cats cut off and Y pipe was hitting the heat shield, say 1-2 mm gap. I moved the clamp a wee bit, dropped my beauty on the ground and took off for a test drive. NO NOISE, no rumbling, just the pure V8 sound track 
Now I can get out and drive around the mountain roads in our beautiful weather and the golden colours of mother nature in the Fall.
Perfect
To you all who contributed with your ideas and recommendations a hearty thanks
I'm sooooo glad it was not something serious in the transmission or elsewhere
BINGO!!! Found it
The head of one of the pipe clamp bolts holding the exhaust just after the secondary cats cut off and Y pipe was hitting the heat shield, say 1-2 mm gap. I moved the clamp a wee bit, dropped my beauty on the ground and took off for a test drive. NO NOISE, no rumbling, just the pure V8 sound track Now I can get out and drive around the mountain roads in our beautiful weather and the golden colours of mother nature in the Fall.Perfect
To you all who contributed with your ideas and recommendations a hearty thanks
I'm sooooo glad it was not something serious in the transmission or elsewhere
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; 10-03-2018 at 01:13 PM.
12-10-2021, 10:39 PM
#92
The rollers within the u-joint can develop flat spots since they operate with a small range of motion (the driveshaft doesn't "flex" much in normal operation). That wear can cause to joint to "bind" under certain circumstances. Sometimes this can be noticed by occasional squeaking. Sometimes it can cause a rumble or shaking in the driveshaft at certain driveshaft RPM and loads. Listening to your video I can't make a judgement as to whether the u-joint is your problem. That is why I asked the question - you had the driveshaft out and may have checked it. Since I dealt with a bad u-joint a few years ago I always move/check the u-joint through the full range of motion when I have a driveshaft out.
The u-joint is not user replaceable. The driveshaft can be reconditioned by a specialist. Here in the US that typically runs about $300 USD.
The u-joint is not user replaceable. The driveshaft can be reconditioned by a specialist. Here in the US that typically runs about $300 USD.
any advice on where to get this done?
also what was the symptom of your bad u joint?
I have what feels like a rumble only on slow accelerations from a stop from 18-22 mph. Everything else is butter smooth. Feels like it is coming from we're center bearing/u joint is. Think a kid aligned shaft could cause this?
12-11-2021, 06:58 AM
#93
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The symptoms on my C280 were similar to yours. I don't think the shaft can be mis-aligned unless the center bearing or its support have failed. I took the driveshaft to a local shop that specializes in commercial vehicle parts and service. They sent the driveshaft out to a specialist shop. Call similar shops around your area. There should be someone who can help.
12-11-2021, 09:01 AM
#94
The symptoms on my C280 were similar to yours. I don't think the shaft can be mis-aligned unless the center bearing or its support have failed. I took the driveshaft to a local shop that specializes in commercial vehicle parts and service. They sent the driveshaft out to a specialist shop. Call similar shops around your area. There should be someone who can help.
Issue went away after driveshaft was property balanced and replaced? Thanks so much for reply
