remove 4matic front wheels driveshaft ?
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Joined: Apr 2013
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1999 e320 4matic
remove 4matic front wheels driveshaft ?
1999 e320 4matic---i like to find out where the vibration is coming from. i had checked everything..flex disc, rims, tires, balancing, cv joints..etc etc. nothing but the vibration insist. im suspecting that its the front driveshaft from the transfercase to front axle. is it doable to remove this shaft and drive the car to see if the vibration disappear ? to test that way, will it hurt or damage the car? i know american made suv 4 wheels are fine that way but not sure if MB would.. considering its complex and sensitivity of getting screwed.
p.s. sorry about my grammar as it's english is secondary. thanks a bunch.
p.s. sorry about my grammar as it's english is secondary. thanks a bunch.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
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1999 e320 4matic
what you mean is start the engine and put the gear in drive and run it on the lift ? i just want to take off the shaft and drive the car on the road to see if the vibration will... fk, ya know what i mean.. ?
my concern is that if i do this , will it screw the other thing or no harm ? need straight answer, if not dont bother to post.
my concern is that if i do this , will it screw the other thing or no harm ? need straight answer, if not dont bother to post.
Last edited by deafbenz; Apr 13, 2013 at 06:44 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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2001 e430 4matic
To all contemplating, or forced to replace the front drive shaft. Please read this:
2001 E430, 4matic ~90,000milles.
OEM universals are not serviceable. It means that when the bearings are worn, the whole shaft needs to be replaced. In my case, the loud noise (humming) and vibration forced me to visit the shop. The mechanic rather quickly found the problem. I could see the interior of (sealed for life) bearing as yoke started to chip away. When I grabbed the shaft I could feel the play. Sourced the replacement; $1,960 CDN. Price in US was equally high. Ouch. Checked aftermarket. $320 + free shipping.That's better. 2 days(!) later part was waiting for me in Bufallo, NY. 15 min trip across the river ( I live in Canada) and part was in my hands. The universals had same bolt pattern as OEM part but were serviceable. Great so. Replacement took 1.5 hr. Not bad so far. THEN THE DISCOVERY. The O.D. of yokes was slightly bigger. When rotating, The front one would interfere with transmission/engine aluminum case (read struck, read fracture, read possibly an astronomical repair bill!). The kid, sorry, mechanic's helper, in all the the excitement spotted the potential problem. He rotated it manually, not using the engine and confirmed his suspicion. After additional 30 min. of grinding, fortunately the case had enough meat to allow for that, the car was back on the road. Car runs great ever since.
FYI
2001 E430, 4matic ~90,000milles.
OEM universals are not serviceable. It means that when the bearings are worn, the whole shaft needs to be replaced. In my case, the loud noise (humming) and vibration forced me to visit the shop. The mechanic rather quickly found the problem. I could see the interior of (sealed for life) bearing as yoke started to chip away. When I grabbed the shaft I could feel the play. Sourced the replacement; $1,960 CDN. Price in US was equally high. Ouch. Checked aftermarket. $320 + free shipping.That's better. 2 days(!) later part was waiting for me in Bufallo, NY. 15 min trip across the river ( I live in Canada) and part was in my hands. The universals had same bolt pattern as OEM part but were serviceable. Great so. Replacement took 1.5 hr. Not bad so far. THEN THE DISCOVERY. The O.D. of yokes was slightly bigger. When rotating, The front one would interfere with transmission/engine aluminum case (read struck, read fracture, read possibly an astronomical repair bill!). The kid, sorry, mechanic's helper, in all the the excitement spotted the potential problem. He rotated it manually, not using the engine and confirmed his suspicion. After additional 30 min. of grinding, fortunately the case had enough meat to allow for that, the car was back on the road. Car runs great ever since.
FYI
Last edited by gonguj; Feb 1, 2014 at 11:00 PM. Reason: missing words
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
2000 E320 AWD
This thread is about 10 month old so maybe 'deafbenz' found the problem. Hey guy, you still there? Tell the forum how you made out.
My $.02: there would be two gigantic open holes in the transfer case once the axle shafts were removed, oil all over the place, so running the car that way would be impractical.
My $.02: there would be two gigantic open holes in the transfer case once the axle shafts were removed, oil all over the place, so running the car that way would be impractical.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
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1999 e320 4matic
two big holes ? no, what i mean is to disconncet the shaft outside of the transfer case. nothing to open the hole...!!! still didnt get the straight answer. if you cant give straight answer or straight question, dont bother to post, please. jeez.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
1999 e320 4matic
To all contemplating, or forced to replace the front drive shaft. Please read this:
2001 E430, 4matic ~90,000milles.
OEM universals are not serviceable. It means that when the bearings are worn, the whole shaft needs to be replaced. In my case, the loud noise (humming) and vibration forced me to visit the shop. The mechanic rather quickly found the problem. I could see the interior of (sealed for life) bearing as yoke started to chip away. When I grabbed the shaft I could feel the play. Sourced the replacement; $1,960 CDN. Price in US was equally high. Ouch. Checked aftermarket. $320 + free shipping.That's better. 2 days(!) later part was waiting for me in Bufallo, NY. 15 min trip across the river ( I live in Canada) and part was in my hands. The universals had same bolt pattern as OEM part but were serviceable. Great so. Replacement took 1.5 hr. Not bad so far. THEN THE DISCOVERY. The O.D. of yokes was slightly bigger. When rotating, The front one would interfere with transmission/engine aluminum case (read struck, read fracture, read possibly an astronomical repair bill!). The kid, sorry, mechanic's helper, in all the the excitement spotted the potential problem. He rotated it manually, not using the engine and confirmed his suspicion. After additional 30 min. of grinding, fortunately the case had enough meat to allow for that, the car was back on the road. Car runs great ever since.
FYI
2001 E430, 4matic ~90,000milles.
OEM universals are not serviceable. It means that when the bearings are worn, the whole shaft needs to be replaced. In my case, the loud noise (humming) and vibration forced me to visit the shop. The mechanic rather quickly found the problem. I could see the interior of (sealed for life) bearing as yoke started to chip away. When I grabbed the shaft I could feel the play. Sourced the replacement; $1,960 CDN. Price in US was equally high. Ouch. Checked aftermarket. $320 + free shipping.That's better. 2 days(!) later part was waiting for me in Bufallo, NY. 15 min trip across the river ( I live in Canada) and part was in my hands. The universals had same bolt pattern as OEM part but were serviceable. Great so. Replacement took 1.5 hr. Not bad so far. THEN THE DISCOVERY. The O.D. of yokes was slightly bigger. When rotating, The front one would interfere with transmission/engine aluminum case (read struck, read fracture, read possibly an astronomical repair bill!). The kid, sorry, mechanic's helper, in all the the excitement spotted the potential problem. He rotated it manually, not using the engine and confirmed his suspicion. After additional 30 min. of grinding, fortunately the case had enough meat to allow for that, the car was back on the road. Car runs great ever since.
FYI
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2002 E320 4matic wagon
i really wanted someone to answer the question. i waited almost a year and now finally i done it. i removed the front drive shaft. and i found that the rear u joint is destroyed. i guess trying to tow my truck in the snow with this car was not a good idea and taking it to the racing track not a good idea. the surprise that this drive shaft cant be repaired and no shop would wild a new u joint. no used one in stock, no rebuild and stealership wanted over $2000 for a new one ...ridicules...i ordered one from junk yard for $400. but to answer your question...NO the car wont move an inch without the front drive shaft. when you put it in gear it will just rev as if its in N. so i'm stranded until the drive-shaft arrive from the usa...i'm from Canada
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
'99 E320 Wagon
i really wanted someone to answer the question. i waited almost a year and now finally i done it. i removed the front drive shaft. and i found that the rear u joint is destroyed. i guess trying to tow my truck in the snow with this car was not a good idea and taking it to the racing track not a good idea. the surprise that this drive shaft cant be repaired and no shop would wild a new u joint. no used one in stock, no rebuild and stealership wanted over $2000 for a new one ...ridicules...i ordered one from junk yard for $400. but to answer your question...NO the car wont move an inch without the front drive shaft. when you put it in gear it will just rev as if its in N. so i'm stranded until the drive-shaft arrive from the usa...i'm from Canada
For 2000$ you go check autotrader and buy a beat up one and use it for parts. You never know what else can "go"
