whiteml500

i have a 1998 e320 4matic 133xxx miles ...i get a noise in the rear end of the car when im driving 10 to 20 mph ..but only when im coasting between these speeds let off the gas and then when i give it gas again i get a thump in (around) the rear of the car and i could feel it in the drivers seat .have no idea what to check to solve this problem (rear bushing drive shaft etc.) anyone had this problem that could help me fix this thanks.

cbpeck

Maybe...

flex discs in drive shaft
transmission service (when was it last done?)

These are both possibilities, especially if they haven't been done by 133k miles.

Good luck

whiteml500

dont know if the flex disc where ever changed have to inspect them ..but i did the trans fluid last month .

whiteml500

flex disc look good just small cracks around the bolt holes on the rubber but nothing major ...any other things to check ...also i feel the same thumb when i go from drive to park or drive to reverse ..

whiteml500

ive searched and it seems like alot of guys are haveing this clunking thumb in the rear of the 4matic ....any one solve this problem ??

whiteml500

250 views and no help !!! Wow

ejsheltra

I would inspect your flex discs again for excessive play and not just cosmetics. The holes could be worn enough to cause the thumping you are hearing. Also check the bushing for your rear control arms to make sure they are not dried out and cracked. Your rear suspension may be moving a little on you and that 'play' is the sound you are hearing. just another thought.

whiteml500

How can I test the flex disc for play .. Do I try to move the drive shaft ??

ohlord

serviced the rear diff?
Diy on w210 forum www.benzworld.org

whiteml500

Wat oil should I use .. Can I use amsoil ?? I see. Alot of people using .. Red line but don't where to buy it .. No one has that in stock ..

whiteml500

So no one with a 4matic had this problem ?? Am I the only one ..??

Bought gear oil going to change it tomorrow .

Brandon98ML320

I don't know how to make a new post I am new. Does anyone know what the engine code -426d is?When i start up my ML it beeps check engine and -426d pops up. I have looked up engine code threads and googled it and found nothing. Thank you.

ejsheltra

Are you getting the code on a scanner from the OBDII port? Call an Indy MB shop and give them the correct code or post it here. I am not familiar with that code. Check the forum for the DIY. Also for the drive shaft there should be no play when twisting it. I believe it is 6 bolts to remove and replace. They are not that much for cost if buying from Autohaus or rockauto.com. and can be done DIY very simply. How many miles on the car? What kind of driving do you do?

Brandon98ML320

I just got the truck it has 146,000 miles. I haven't driven it much because I am afraid the oil pan has oil leaking from it. Also I just realized I was reading the code wrong . When i start the truck the check enginge light comes on and beeps six times and a wrench comes up on the odometer a wrench and a blinking -462d not 426 my mistake I am going to try and look up that code i hope it isn't anything serious. Code is not from a scanner it comes right from my dash. Thank you for your time and reply.

whiteml500

Update .. Rear diff oil and flex disc are new and clunk noise is still there ... Driving slow then let off the gas and when I get back on the gas .. Clunk .. Any way I could fix this

RichardM98

Your symptoms describe 'play' in your drivetrain. Sometimes you can isolate the culprit by putting the car on a hoist with the transmission in neutral and then two people can try turning various parts of the drivetrain to see where the play is coming from. The idea is to have one person hold the shaft tightly on one side of each joint and the other person attempts to rotate the other side back and forth. If there is play you should hear it or feel it. Don't assume you are done when you find the first loose joint but keep checking until you have done all of the joints.

Since you have a 4Matic your system is a little more complicated but same idea. First, don't assume the sound you hear while driving is coming from the rear. Also I believe your driveshaft has two sets of flex discs, a center support with a bearing and universal joint. Did you change all of them? Also don't forget universal joints in the jack shafts to each wheel (2 each?). Also, treat the differential and transfer case as a joint and test. If none of this works you may have a transmission problem so let's hope you find a driveshaft problem.

whiteml500

Anyone know a good indy mechanic in in new jersey .. I could take the car to get looked at .. My zip is 07305 ..thanks

ollie payne

i have a 2000 e 320 and have had the same noise especially when going into reverse.. i found the problem to be a small bit of play on the driveshaft but not sure what i need to replace for it to go away.. my mechanic dont seem to have much of an idea at the mo either.. need some1 more competant or with merc experience..

whiteml500

I know I hope someone can help us out .. What have u changed or tired yet to fix it ??? I did the rear flex disc and rear diff oil .. I heard it could be the diveshaft that has play in it , transfer case, .. I have no clue how to fix it .. Someone help us out !!!

ollie payne

it can take a small bit of time before people offer other solutions on this but 1 member that replied to u has been very helpful to me.. i have serviced the diff and changed oil.. have been told the bushes are a-ok and dont need replacing.. also another person told me that the "clunk" is just the play that is in all of them and dont worry.. problem is it wasnt in when i bought the car..
i (not being a mechanic) think its play in the diff itself but cant be too sure without costing money to take it somehwer else to find out..
if u have already replaced the flex disc i would say its play in the shaft or the diff.. so whatever needs to be replaced to stop this..
id really love to have all the answers but i dont

Hirnbeiss

Find a shop with some chassis ears to roadtest and isolate the noise.

Indian Outlaw

I am having the same problem with my 01 e320 sport and just put it on the lift and found alot of play in the differential, car drove fine and had no noise but clunked real bad putting in reverse and on and off the gas. Everything is tight so i am putting a used center section in, car does have 176,000 miles on it so.... off the work i go!

cuttothechase

I have the same problem with my 1999 E320 4MATIC wagon (118k miles), though this rocks-in-your-hubcap, clickety-clack seem noisiest when the car is warm. Unfortunately, no noticeable improvement after changing both the transmission and transfer case fluid.

The motor mounts apparently need replacing (the dealer mentioned this as well as several other suggested repairs long before this noise began) but my sense is that it's emanating from a driveline component in the middle-to-rear of the car.

Anyone figure this out yet?