4matic Transfer Case Shudder
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4matic Transfer Case Shudder
Anyone hear that a Service Bulletin was issued today for 4Matic transfer case shudder?
Had my wife's 2006 E350 in about 6 months ago for shudder when turning, like backing out of the driveway. Dlr said -- keep driving. Had it in 2 weeks ago for service, and asked again for them to check the shudder. I actually thought it was a steering problem -- like the pump was grinding. Went to pick the car up, and was told they could not duplicate the problem. I asked for the Shop foreman to ride with me, we got in the car -- and no shudder. I told him -- I am not stupid! I asked what they did, and he said they drove the car in figure 8 circles trying to find the steering issue. He then said he believed the problem was the clutch packs in the transfer case not getting enough oil. He thought the fig 8s stirred the oil enough to lube the clutch packs, thereby removing the shudder. Told me to take the car, if the shudder comes back, drive fig 8s and see if it goes away. If so, the problem is definitely the transfer case.
Took the car, shudder came back (2 weeks), fig 8s cleared it up -- but only for about a day -- now the shudder is back. Called dealer today -- SA said they just recieved a bulletin on 4 matic transfer case issues -- for a serial # range. The fix -- replace the transfer case. Repair now scheduled for Friday.
Anyone else having a shuuder issue??
Thks
Ken
Had my wife's 2006 E350 in about 6 months ago for shudder when turning, like backing out of the driveway. Dlr said -- keep driving. Had it in 2 weeks ago for service, and asked again for them to check the shudder. I actually thought it was a steering problem -- like the pump was grinding. Went to pick the car up, and was told they could not duplicate the problem. I asked for the Shop foreman to ride with me, we got in the car -- and no shudder. I told him -- I am not stupid! I asked what they did, and he said they drove the car in figure 8 circles trying to find the steering issue. He then said he believed the problem was the clutch packs in the transfer case not getting enough oil. He thought the fig 8s stirred the oil enough to lube the clutch packs, thereby removing the shudder. Told me to take the car, if the shudder comes back, drive fig 8s and see if it goes away. If so, the problem is definitely the transfer case.
Took the car, shudder came back (2 weeks), fig 8s cleared it up -- but only for about a day -- now the shudder is back. Called dealer today -- SA said they just recieved a bulletin on 4 matic transfer case issues -- for a serial # range. The fix -- replace the transfer case. Repair now scheduled for Friday.
Anyone else having a shuuder issue??
Thks
Ken
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
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From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
The vibration hasn't come back yet, but I would definitely like to find out if my wife's car is within in the range covered by that Service Bulletin.Thanks for sharing this info!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Anyone hear that a Service Bulletin was issued today for 4Matic transfer case shudder?
Had my wife's 2006 E350 in about 6 months ago for shudder when turning, like backing out of the driveway. Dlr said -- keep driving. Had it in 2 weeks ago for service, and asked again for them to check the shudder. I actually thought it was a steering problem -- like the pump was grinding. Went to pick the car up, and was told they could not duplicate the problem. I asked for the Shop foreman to ride with me, we got in the car -- and no shudder. I told him -- I am not stupid! I asked what they did, and he said they drove the car in figure 8 circles trying to find the steering issue. He then said he believed the problem was the clutch packs in the transfer case not getting enough oil. He thought the fig 8s stirred the oil enough to lube the clutch packs, thereby removing the shudder. Told me to take the car, if the shudder comes back, drive fig 8s and see if it goes away. If so, the problem is definitely the transfer case.
Took the car, shudder came back (2 weeks), fig 8s cleared it up -- but only for about a day -- now the shudder is back. Called dealer today -- SA said they just recieved a bulletin on 4 matic transfer case issues -- for a serial # range. The fix -- replace the transfer case. Repair now scheduled for Friday.
Anyone else having a shuuder issue??
Thks
Ken
Had my wife's 2006 E350 in about 6 months ago for shudder when turning, like backing out of the driveway. Dlr said -- keep driving. Had it in 2 weeks ago for service, and asked again for them to check the shudder. I actually thought it was a steering problem -- like the pump was grinding. Went to pick the car up, and was told they could not duplicate the problem. I asked for the Shop foreman to ride with me, we got in the car -- and no shudder. I told him -- I am not stupid! I asked what they did, and he said they drove the car in figure 8 circles trying to find the steering issue. He then said he believed the problem was the clutch packs in the transfer case not getting enough oil. He thought the fig 8s stirred the oil enough to lube the clutch packs, thereby removing the shudder. Told me to take the car, if the shudder comes back, drive fig 8s and see if it goes away. If so, the problem is definitely the transfer case.
Took the car, shudder came back (2 weeks), fig 8s cleared it up -- but only for about a day -- now the shudder is back. Called dealer today -- SA said they just recieved a bulletin on 4 matic transfer case issues -- for a serial # range. The fix -- replace the transfer case. Repair now scheduled for Friday.
Anyone else having a shuuder issue??
Thks
Ken
My last three Audi Quattro cars however, do have a very slight shudder. Only when accelerating and turning (from a dead stop). That is normal for my model Audi, but not for the MB.
I am glad that you got somewhere with the issue and that you will get a new transfer case. I am sure it was a bad batch of them or something like that, but there is no way that a dealer should say that it is normal on a MB vehicle or not to worry about it and to warm it up by making figure-8s.
Steve
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Joined: Sep 2014
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06 E350 4matic
I currently have the shudder problem with my 06 E350 4Matic. I believe that it falls within the bad batch of transfer cases but the dealer says nothing is covered under any kind of recall and the service bulletin is just what MB recommends to be done. They told me they would try to flush and fill the case first to see if that fixes the problem of course for $550 dollars or replace the case for only $5300, I've contacted MB to see if they will cover the flush and fill out of good will, hopefully I'll know more next week. Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I could do to to get the dealer to cover the cost? Thanks in advance!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I guess they don't call them stealerships for nothing. $550 sounds pretty high just to change the fluid. I think it's something that can by done by an indy. It's on my list of things to do one of these days. There's several threads on here about how to do it as a DIY. I doubt if they'll do it as goodwill, but if they do, you're all set. But if not, I think an indy should only be a couple hundred if that as there's not a lot of fluid in the transfer case and the rest is just labor.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
No, I'm just planning on doing it as part of normal maintenance.
Here's a couple threads you might want to look into.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...50-00-a-2.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...g-problem.html
Here's a couple threads you might want to look into.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...50-00-a-2.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...g-problem.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 48
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E500 2005
Patience and a lot of gear fluid.
My E500 2005 4matic developed viscous coupler wobble 14 months ago (September 2024). The wobble disappeared after transfer case fluid changes x 3 and about 8000 miles. Drives smoothly.
I've purchased two cars since and first thing changed the differentials, transfer case fluids. I'm a true believer.
https://shop.valvolineglobal.com/pro...2zN8nMIJZR12o0
Happy Thanksgiving
I've purchased two cars since and first thing changed the differentials, transfer case fluids. I'm a true believer.
https://shop.valvolineglobal.com/pro...2zN8nMIJZR12o0
Happy Thanksgiving
