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Dealer is telling me that I need to replace entire driveshaft @ $2,700 to fix the front flex disk breaking. (Think this is the flex disk, see attached.)
That looks like a part to me, and not a part of the driveshaft. Am I crazy here or should they just be replacing the part and not the entire driveshaft. Seems way overkill.
That looks like a part to me, and not a part of the driveshaft. Am I crazy here or should they just be replacing the part and not the entire driveshaft. Seems way overkill.
You can invite a few helpful friends, some drinks, pay for parts, buy new tools, and still chunk of money left
If I recall correctly, the driveshaft is replaced only because a damaged universal joint "cannot be replaced" at the dealer. However, it can be replaced either by a driveshaft specialist, or yourself if you can find the U-joint and willing to go the extra mile.
The part itself is only around $115 or so. Lifetime warranty from FCPeuro, 2-3 years from other vendors but a little cheaper. Also you shouldn't be taking a 16 year old car to the dealer for service, this is what happens.
The part itself is only around $115 or so. Lifetime warranty from FCPeuro, 2-3 years from other vendors but a little cheaper. Also you shouldn't be taking a 16 year old car to the dealer for service, this is what happens.
Totally get it. My father worked at this dealership for over 50 years, but recently retired. So I've always taken it there because I got parts and labor at 10% over cost and got honest work done because of the relationships. All the old dudes he worked with are gone and this is the first time without them.
So they are telling me that the part that is broken/coming apart is part of the drive shaft, it's not actually the flex disk. Looking at the inspection video (where the image below comes from) it looks like the part in @konigstiger part breakdown below:
But that doesn't look like part of the driveshaft either. The driveshaft appears to just have 4 flanges that bolt to the flexdisk. What is this second part? Is it really part of the driveshaft? The flex disk could be fine for all I know, it's this other part that's damaged.
But are we in agreement the driveshaft doesn't have any molded rubber part around it, it's just the 4 metal flanges?
Based on the videos and images I'm looking at, half the time I'm not even seeing the part broken on mine. They always look like the driveshaft flanges attached directly to the flex disk without this piece that's damaged on mine.
This is my problem - the part that is damaged on my car isn't shown here. Best I can figure it's called the "vibration damper". But can't find anything about it or anywhere it's available or if it's really a part if the driveshaft or if it's something that can be purchased separately.
That’s exactly what that part looks like. I had to source a similar part for an SL63 R231.
Originally Posted by robbieas
But can't find anything about it or anywhere it's available or if it's really a part if the driveshaft or if it's something that can be purchased separately
Unfortunately it isn’t available separately from the drive shaft. It’s doesn’t even show a part on the EPC. It should be on the diff side (last pic). On the R231 it actually unbolts. I had to source a used one.
Good Luck
Last edited by crconsulting; Feb 15, 2023 at 10:44 PM.
@robbieas What prompted the dealer diagnosis in the first place? Was the vehicle exhibiting symptoms, which were root-caused to this component? What led them in the first place to tell you the propshaft needs to be replaced?
@robbieas What prompted the dealer diagnosis in the first place? Was the vehicle exhibiting symptoms, which were root-caused to this component? What led them in the first place to tell you the propshaft needs to be replaced?
Vibration in the middle of the car. Not too bad, but at 15-20 you could feel it quite a bit.
@crconsulting Yeah, what you are describing is exactly what I'm trying to figure out on this car. The dealer said that part is only available with the driveshaft, like you said. It seems crazy, it looks like a part that bolts between the flanges and the flex disk - it's insane that wouldn't be something you can purchase separately!
@konigstiger Thoughts on this? You are the parts wiz.... anything you can see where I can buy this part without the driveshaft? Seems crazy. It's definitely the part from the diagram you showed previously.
@crconsulting Yeah, what you are describing is exactly what I'm trying to figure out on this car. The dealer said that part is only available with the driveshaft, like you said. It seems crazy, it looks like a part that bolts between the flanges and the flex disk - it's insane that wouldn't be something you can purchase separately!
EPC can be kind of funny.
Sometimes they list a part (with part number) that is exactly the same, but on a different model, totally compatible with what you need. But when you look on the EPC under your model, it isn’t listed….
You may have to dig thru the EPC if you have access.
It’s possible Gunther may have had too many beers at the Hoffbrau Haus.
Very interesting. Something is a bit off to me. Are there mutliple driveshafts for the W211? Perhaps differences between 4Matic and RWD? Pre-facelift only perhaps?
Looking at the video from FCPEuro while unbolting both sides of the shaft, this "vibration damper" is not there (around 14->18 min mark)
Very interesting. Something is a bit off to me. Are there mutliple driveshafts for the W211? Perhaps differences between 4Matic and RWD? Pre-facelift only perhaps?
I thought the same! I'm wondering how it drives without that piece in there. I wonder if some shops just remove it when there is a problem like mine, and that repair video was on a car without it. Thoughts on just leaving the damn thing out? My vibration is because it's not evenly weighted anymore... if it wasn't there I bet I wouldn't even notice a vibration.
I thought the same! I'm wondering how it drives without that piece in there. I wonder if some shops just remove it when there is a problem like mine, and that repair video was on a car without it. Thoughts on just leaving the damn thing out? My vibration is because it's not evenly weighted anymore... if it wasn't there I bet I wouldn't even notice a vibration.
Wondering similar approach; however, there is the spacing issue, connecting and balancing. Would using a Non-OEM driveshaft assembly be looking for more problems? Since we already know there are multiple driveshafts available, to make a change we need to know why the change was introduced and why others in the same chassis do not have it. Distance from transmission -> Differential? Torque/Power specifications between engine/trans configurations (E200->E500->E55) can be different. RWD vs 4Matic, etc.
Originally Posted by crconsulting
For what it’s worth,
I can tell you that didn’t appear to be the case on the R231. Vibration disappeared after replacement…
Definitely, once it is damaged it needs to be fixed somehow. The first logical step is for the new part, the alternative, if possible, is resort to a simpler connection. The main issue with driveshaft modifications is balancing, i.e. whatever incantation is used it MUST be balanced and not put axial strain on the center support.
Definitely, once it is damaged it needs to be fixed somehow. The first logical step is for the new part, the alternative, if possible, is resort to a simpler connection. The main issue with driveshaft modifications is balancing, i.e. whatever incantation is used it MUST be balanced and not put axial strain on the center support.
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Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
You can invite a few helpful friends, some drinks, pay for parts, buy new tools, and still chunk of money left
