Front Flex Disk - Replace Entire Driveshaft?
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Front Flex Disk - Replace Entire Driveshaft?
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.
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chassis (02-15-2023)
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It can be replaced separately, see attachment. I suggest finding a MB qualified independent.
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Dealer is being a scumbag as usual.
Replace it DIY or at an Indy shop. Or call another dealer and tell them you want the coupling placed and get an estimate in advance.
Replace it DIY or at an Indy shop. Or call another dealer and tell them you want the coupling placed and get an estimate in advance.
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juanmor40 (02-15-2023)
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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.
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.
An example, on his garage, no lift.
or the educational FCP Euro video, with a lift
Last edited by juanmor40; 02-15-2023 at 01:32 PM.
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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.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...500-2114100215
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2114100215
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...500-2114100215
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2114100215
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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.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...500-2114100215
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2114100215
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...500-2114100215
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2114100215
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chassis (02-15-2023)
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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.
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.
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chassis (02-15-2023)
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I was wondering what that was.. The 3 prong part broke the welding to the ring? Rusted ? Can it be welded back to the ring?
Difficult to tell from a single picture. Never seen that failure.
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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.
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2008 E350 (W211 @170K), 2012 ML350 (W166 @119K), 2014 E350 (W212 @100K), 2015 ML350 (W166 @96K)
The vibration damper is the flex disc. Everything else is supposed to be rigid. The other "flexible" parts are u-joints.
Better pictures?
Better pictures?
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Dealer is lying. Again.
Take it to another dealer or an Indy shop and tell them you want the flex disc replaced.
Take it to another dealer or an Indy shop and tell them you want the flex disc replaced.
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That’s exactly what that part looks like. I had to source a similar part for an SL63 R231.
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
Good Luck
Last edited by crconsulting; 02-15-2023 at 10:44 PM.
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@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?
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@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.
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@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.
@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.
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@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.
you can see your part on this driveshaft:
eBay W211 driveshaft #1
Or
eBay W211 driveshaft
Last edited by crconsulting; 02-16-2023 at 09:28 AM.
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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)
What am I missing here? @konigstiger , are you familiar with these differences? Thank you in advance.
Looking at the video from FCPEuro while unbolting both sides of the shaft, this "vibration damper" is not there (around 14->18 min mark)
What am I missing here? @konigstiger , are you familiar with these differences? Thank you in advance.
Last edited by juanmor40; 02-16-2023 at 09:15 AM.
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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.
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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.
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.
Last edited by juanmor40; 02-16-2023 at 09:52 AM.
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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.
Driveshaft dampeners aren't exclusive to Mercedes and are in all types of vehicles.
https://www.vibracoustic.com/en/prod...shaft-dampers/
They are also available as replacement parts for W202 (hard to tell if compatable, but O.P. may want to compare dimensions ) so balancing shouldn't be an issue...
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/meyle/2111882
https://spareto.com/products/corteco...opshaft/602983
Last edited by crconsulting; 02-16-2023 at 11:25 AM.