New Vibration; New Mounts Did NOT Help....
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Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5
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From: Libertyville, IL
2008 E350 4Matic Estate
New Vibration; New Mounts Did NOT Help....
Hello From Chicago! I'm having trouble with my 2008 E350 Wagon, and while I searched for and read thru several posts here that discuss my symptoms, I could not find an answer that covers the fact that it's NOT the engine and/or transmission mounts, as they are brand new
Let me first explain what led up to this about 2 weeks ago...
My mechanic is actually pretty good, and maybe he and his cohort will figure it out tomorrow. But I'd certainly appreciate your input first, so I can pass it along to them. I don't want this to drag on too long, my warranty expires @ 98K miles or May 2018...I wouldn't really mind getting a new tranny, but I think I'll need something more concrete than a vibration for the mechanic get Carchex to replace it for me!
THANK YOU!!!
Dean S.
Let me first explain what led up to this about 2 weeks ago...
- I was doing an oil change myself & noticed the boots on my front drive-shafts were missing & damaged, so my independent mechanic replaced both front driveshafts. I have a good extended warranty, but they covered good aftermarket parts (that will come into play again).
- I pick it up because I needed it for the weekend, but he mention, and I soon felt, the new pretty severe vibration that only occurred in Drive and Reverse...while either holding the brake, or ESPECIALLY noticeable if I stopped on a slight incline and idled in Drive and I released the brake and had a few moments where no pedals were touched and the car could just 'sit there'..not moving forward or backward... for that brief moment before you begin to depress the accelerator. It's a deep, rumbley vibration; you almost think it's an exhaust leak, but when I opened the window and listened, you could tell it wasn't a 'noise' as much as a vibration that FELT like noise, if that makes any sense!
- He thought it was engine and/or transmission mounts, so I brought it back in after the weekend and he replaced all 3. He said one of the engine mount bolts was actually cracked !!, but the park/reverse while idling vibration was still there! He said to drive it a few days & the mounts would probably settle in.
- I did...went a whole week, but nothing improved. I even noticed that when I listened carefully while idling in Drive, the engine had a little 'tick' every 3 or 4 seconds. I also got a weird 'thunk' a few times when cold starting in the morning...something that others have mentioned in those threads.
- He thought the aftermarket engine mounts might be bad, so he actually put in new ones yesterday, it didn't help at all. His asst is taking it home tonight to really get to know/feel the problem, because they're kind of stumped
My mechanic is actually pretty good, and maybe he and his cohort will figure it out tomorrow. But I'd certainly appreciate your input first, so I can pass it along to them. I don't want this to drag on too long, my warranty expires @ 98K miles or May 2018...I wouldn't really mind getting a new tranny, but I think I'll need something more concrete than a vibration for the mechanic get Carchex to replace it for me!
THANK YOU!!!
Dean S.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
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E
There are a number of instances of the exact complaint when changing or rebooting the front axles on a 4matic.
I included have the same issue right after I rebooted my axle. Changed all my mounts and still here. I believe I have the same issue. It’s a shame because a factory new axle is over $800 I believe and aftermarket either have the same issue or fail in short order. I’m living with mine for now since it only does it intermittently.
It’s an odd one for sure, but I believe for whatever reason if the bearings are put back in a different orientation, it transfers vibrations through it
I included have the same issue right after I rebooted my axle. Changed all my mounts and still here. I believe I have the same issue. It’s a shame because a factory new axle is over $800 I believe and aftermarket either have the same issue or fail in short order. I’m living with mine for now since it only does it intermittently.
It’s an odd one for sure, but I believe for whatever reason if the bearings are put back in a different orientation, it transfers vibrations through it
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
Likes: 195
From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
Have you checked the drive shafts or prop shafts as they called sometimes? There is a front and rear drive shaft on the 4-Matics. The front shaft is covered by a plastic cover underneath and the rear has a center bearing that can fail causing drive line vibration. That bearing is covered by the muffler heat shield so inspection can challenging.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
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e350 4Matic (W211)
Same problem after new axle!
I just replaced the front driver side axle (outer CV boot was damaged), and now I have the exact same symptoms; bad vibration at stand-still in gear, goes away when put it in neutral. What the heck is going on here? (Someone posted a one-word response tot he other post saying "flexplate"....that doesn't seem correct....why would that part suddenly fail after these axles are replaced?)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 880
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I just replaced the front driver side axle (outer CV boot was damaged), and now I have the exact same symptoms; bad vibration at stand-still in gear, goes away when put it in neutral. What the heck is going on here? (Someone posted a one-word response tot he other post saying "flexplate"....that doesn't seem correct....why would that part suddenly fail after these axles are replaced?)
Maybe ask your mechanic to move the new axles one bolt clockwise. Test drive, repeat if needed.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne,IN
W211 E350/w4M, W123 TD, MK6 Jetta TDI, W201 190E 2.3
Hey tomstanley, I made a post here about this. https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ic-owners.html
It has to do with the replacement axles being solid instead of hollow like the OE axles. In my link I have a few resources to get a better price for the axles.
It has to do with the replacement axles being solid instead of hollow like the OE axles. In my link I have a few resources to get a better price for the axles.
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
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e350 4Matic (W211)
Update: FIXED! No more vibration. I had a leaking boot, so had the axle replaced (brand unknown...it was not the expensive MB oem axle). Immediately after replacement the car would vibrate when sitting still in gear (vibration stopped in neutral). Mechanic initially thought it was motor mounts, but I explained that I saw this issue on this forum, so he simply cleaned up / re-greased my old axle and CV joint (which he luckily still had in scrap pile), put a new MB boot and clamps on it, and re-installed it. Car is perfect again. Recommend that if anyone has a leaking boot, simply have your mechanic remove the unit, clean up and re-grease (the cv joint is probably still OK if the boot hasn't been open for too long), re-boot it and re-install. DON'T BUY A NEW AXLE!
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