2008 4matic vibration after front cv axle replacement
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I get it... but again, unless the vibration is felt underway... then there's NO connection to the axle, whether it was replaced or not. The only thing I can think of is in the process of replacing the axles, the mounts were damaged... which seems highly unlikely since you don't have to touch them.
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Yeah, no one else can believe it too. There is a connection, once you put it in drive, the engine is connected to the transmission. No vibration with the car just in park. I'm not the only one with the problem, several other people have reported it and in each thread someone always says that they don't believe it's the axle, but it happens the same every time, new aftermarket axle, vibration right afterwards. I'm not sure how you think the mounts could get damaged too, they're nowhere near the axle. I've taken the front apart to do a few other things too like springs/struts, tie rods, ball joints, sway bar links, upper/lower control arms and never had an issue with the mounts. They don't last long to begin with.
That said, certainly an interesting experience... will keep in mind.
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wanted to update -- on my personal car, the GKN axle didn't fix my chassis vibration at idle...I'm tempted to pull the OE axle apart and try to reverse the tripod bearing and then swap it back in.
I'm certain all my vibration at idle issues began RIGHT after the shop rebooted my axle and its all related. With the fact theres been so many people with the same issue, I'm not convinced the GKN axle isn't still vibrating.
I'm certain all my vibration at idle issues began RIGHT after the shop rebooted my axle and its all related. With the fact theres been so many people with the same issue, I'm not convinced the GKN axle isn't still vibrating.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 40
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From: Alabama usa
2007 s550
Hi all. I had a local independent shop replace the front cv axles on my 4matic. Now I have a vibration when the car is in drive and stopped, very noticeable. Also when I drove the car away, the first time I took a right turn, there was a very loud pop on the left side front. I immediately took the car back to the shop and told them. The vibration was not there before they replaced the axles. Just want to educate myself for when they call me and tell me what they found... I do understand that normally a vibration at stop is a motor or transmission mount. Just wondering why I am feeling/hearing this after the axle replacement. TIA
I changed out all of the front suspension on mine, it turned out to be the motor mounts which was kind of a tricky job but doable
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
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e350 4Matic (W211)
It is absolutely the cv axle, even though it's not spinning. I had mine replaced, and got vibration at idle. It felt like a classic motor mount vibration, but it wasn't. The solution is to re-use the factory cv axle MOUNTED IN THE EXACT SAME ORIENTATION AS BEFORE REMOVAL - JUST CLEAN THE JOINT WELL AND REPLACE THE BOOT. I told my mechanic to do this, and no more vibration. NEVER REPLACE THE AXLE AND JOINT - JUST THE BOOT!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
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2008 E350 4matic
I wound up replacing the motor mounts also. it did help the vibrations, but they did not go away completely. The shop did not save my old axles, so I still have the non oem axles in. It's bearable, but not what it was.
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https://www.benzworld.org/threads/e350-4matic-vibration-at-idle-diagnosis-thread.3073922/#post-18206740
the driver side axle is about $700, passenger side $400. Just FYI.
so as long as you’re sure it started after the axle swap, money spent on a Genuine MB axle will absolutely fix it.
it’s crazy how smooth my car is now. I lived with the vibration for years and forgot how enjoyable the car was!
Last edited by ps2cho; Jun 5, 2021 at 08:38 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2023
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E350
On the left is new aftermarket driver's ft half axle. On the right is GKN OEM rebuilt. Behind the splines, the collar is too long by a 1/4 in. The transfer case is hard bolted to the frame. That 1/4 in. butts the axle to the case with no play thus transferring engine/drivetrain vibration to the body. Plain and simple. OEM rebuilt fixed the problem. Thank you to this forum for finding my problem in minutes and I hope this helps.
Last edited by PURZ; Jul 22, 2023 at 06:16 PM. Reason: misspelled
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2023
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Likes: 2
E350
Also, a good test for this, (assuming you just replaced axle and have a vibration) is to raise vehicle at oem jack point with tire off the ground to let suspension and axle stretch out and start car. If vibration is gone, then thats the problem.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2024
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2010 C300
I am having this exact same issue. Front axles were replaced this week (they said they were too damaged just to do the boots) and now there is a noticeable vibration when stopped in drive that brought me to this thread. I don’t notice the vibration in any other gear or speed. How much is this worth fighting and how could they fix anyway at this point? I went to a shop that supposedly used quality parts, and charged for it. But I also realize it’s a 14 year old car that I won’t keep forever, but it’s annoying nonetheless. Other than the annoyance, I assume it doesn’t pose any safety or operational issue? Any thoughts welcome. Thank you!
Last edited by benzpologne; Jun 1, 2024 at 01:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
2008 E350 4matic
I am having this exact same issue. Front axles were replaced this week (they said they were too damaged just to do the boots) and now there is a noticeable vibration when stopped in drive that brought me to this thread. I don’t notice the vibration in any other gear or speed. How much is this worth fighting and how could they fix anyway at this point? I went to a shop that supposedly used quality parts, and charged for it. But I also realize it’s a 14 year old car that I won’t keep forever, but it’s annoying nonetheless. Other than the annoyance, I assume it doesn’t pose any safety or operational issue? Any thoughts welcome. Thank you!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,549
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I am having this exact same issue. Front axles were replaced this week (they said they were too damaged just to do the boots) and now there is a noticeable vibration when stopped in drive that brought me to this thread. I don’t notice the vibration in any other gear or speed. How much is this worth fighting and how could they fix anyway at this point? I went to a shop that supposedly used quality parts, and charged for it. But I also realize it’s a 14 year old car that I won’t keep forever, but it’s annoying nonetheless. Other than the annoyance, I assume it doesn’t pose any safety or operational issue? Any thoughts welcome. Thank you!
