4matic just towed home, by its front wheels
12-28-2018, 10:35 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 E500 Wagon
4matic just towed home, by its front wheels
I should start at the beginning of my day--when we were driving along, and heard a horrible noise. I was next to a shop with a free lift-- found out the front of the driveshaft was broken right off, at the flex-joint.
I wanted to tow the car home. {shop couldn't fix soon, I didn't know them, etc..} There were no engine lights when I stopped my car after the thing had broken.
Now it has arrived at my house, having been towed by its front wheels-- the engine was On, transmission in Neutral.
The car has 3 lights on: Check Engine, ABS malfunction and ESP malfunction.
So help please: Did these lights come on due to some damage caused by the tow? Or is this a side-effect of the pre-existing broken driveshaft, that just hadn't shown up for me because I'd turned the car off asap?
If my already-broken front diff makes this a non-issue, I don't want to cause a scene. But I know I have asked for a flatbed, mentioned it was a 4matic, and cetera.
Thanks in advance for your comments/advice.
PS. Car is a 2004 W211 E500 4matic wagon. 245k miles.
PPS. Yes I have seen these lines below; the real question is if the broken diff makes a diff:
"Notes for 4MATIC vehicles
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or damage to the front or rear axle, have it transported on a transporter or trailer."
I wanted to tow the car home. {shop couldn't fix soon, I didn't know them, etc..} There were no engine lights when I stopped my car after the thing had broken.
Now it has arrived at my house, having been towed by its front wheels-- the engine was On, transmission in Neutral.
The car has 3 lights on: Check Engine, ABS malfunction and ESP malfunction.
So help please: Did these lights come on due to some damage caused by the tow? Or is this a side-effect of the pre-existing broken driveshaft, that just hadn't shown up for me because I'd turned the car off asap?
If my already-broken front diff makes this a non-issue, I don't want to cause a scene. But I know I have asked for a flatbed, mentioned it was a 4matic, and cetera.
Thanks in advance for your comments/advice.
PS. Car is a 2004 W211 E500 4matic wagon. 245k miles.
PPS. Yes I have seen these lines below; the real question is if the broken diff makes a diff:
"Notes for 4MATIC vehicles
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or damage to the front or rear axle, have it transported on a transporter or trailer."
Last edited by redline_r; 12-28-2018 at 11:31 PM.
12-29-2018, 04:50 AM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: V E G A S
Posts: 9,067
Received 1,730 Likes
on
1,380 Posts
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I would check the codes.
With engine on and in N the drivetrain suppose to have proper lubrication, but pulling only 1 axle made the broken driveshaft banging under the car.
Definitely check the damage there.
With engine on and in N the drivetrain suppose to have proper lubrication, but pulling only 1 axle made the broken driveshaft banging under the car.
Definitely check the damage there.
12-29-2018, 08:38 AM
#4
MBWorld God!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: 39.515509, -111.549668
Posts: 30,569
Received 3,352 Likes
on
2,807 Posts
2012 CLS63
OH no! 
Very sorry to read this.
Very sorry to read this.
12-29-2018, 10:57 AM
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 E500 Wagon
Thanks for the responses. Sounds like y'all think there's def. some damage done because of the tow situation. Ugh, @tjts1 I just put in a new transfercase just 25ish thousand miles ago!
When it's in N with engine on-- rolling or not-- the front driveshaft didn't move, before towing. (I know this because 1. it doesn't make an awful sound in P or N, and 2. I had to push her into a shop, about 20 feet). But I have no code-reader, so I'll have to wait 'till the car's gone to the shop in a week.
When it's in N with engine on-- rolling or not-- the front driveshaft didn't move, before towing. (I know this because 1. it doesn't make an awful sound in P or N, and 2. I had to push her into a shop, about 20 feet). But I have no code-reader, so I'll have to wait 'till the car's gone to the shop in a week.
Last edited by redline_r; 12-29-2018 at 11:15 AM.
12-29-2018, 07:01 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 3,250
Received 255 Likes
on
233 Posts
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
Get yourself the Torque app (if on Android) and a cheap wifi/bluetooth OBDII reader. You can read basic codes that way and get an idea of what's going on. You can get setup with both for under $25. Do a Google search for ELM 427.
12-29-2018, 07:16 PM
#7
Torque won't tell you drivetrain codes. You need something like STAR, Icarsoft or Foxwell to figure out this one. Also it's ELM327 not 427.
Trending Topics
12-31-2018, 03:38 PM
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
It tells you not do do that in your owners manual. Work with your insurance agent to recover cost of damage repair from the towing company.
12-31-2018, 07:05 PM
#9
this is your best option here unless you’re liability only insurance. Ive always required a flat truck any time over been towed because I don’t trust any of them regardless of drive.
