Not to sound too stupid, but my heart is broken---caused by a transfer case problem with my most wonderful wagon. This car is in near-perfect condition with an excellent engine and all options except the parking sensors.

It just reached 143,000 and recently I began to notice a groaning, shuddering noise coming from underneath the car when turning tight circles, either way and below 12 mph. Otherwise the car runs and drives perfectly.

After eliminating the steering rack it has been determined that the transfer case is the issue. Apparently the planetary gear set and clutches are the issue. The tranny is a 722.9 and when I went to try and get a quote to replace the gearset ($412 from MB) I found that none of the shops I contacted would do the work claiming that the 722.9 was a "*****" and difficult to repair. All of them suggested only a replacement or rebuild. Either one would cost $10,000!!! I also found that MB is totally aware of this problem and issued a long TSB to the dealers, which helps confirm my diagnosis. However the TSB won't get me help from MB, I don't think, esp. with the age of the car.

Checking further I find many many of these tranny's are available, used, with varying mileage. But once I checked with shops to install a used one for me I was told NO because they have to be programmed to the car and it often does not work well.??

I have not contacted the stealer because here in Austin Tx the stealer is notorius for massively overblown pricing and low quality work.



Does anyone have any suggestions that might help save my very best car? I'm sure the value of the car is around only 10k so I can't afford to spend that money. If I can do the job for $2-3K I could live with that but otherwise......

Appreciate all good ideas!!!!

 

I had same model and year 2013 E350 4matic. 1st it broke at the front side where it connected to front gear back. It hit the catalytic converter so I have to replace the axel join transfer case and front gear box plus cat converter. It cost me around $2500 including labor. But 6 months after that it broke on the joint connected to transfer case. This gear in transfer case impacted many 4matic. The problem it exposed to water and the grease is dry out so it become corroded and break. So if it broke in front joint the mechanic should check the gear in transfer case that connect the axel. If there is play or loose it should be replaced too.
the gear in transfer case mercedes didn't sell so the only option is to replace the whole transmission which cost around 8k just for the part. Even though transfer case can be separated or fix by itself according to mercedes it part of transmission.
Ther many youtube about that gear in transfer case repair but not that detail. The one very detail is in this forum but not about replace that gear but the ring seal that become defect do transmission make noise. I think my car is also around 150k and maybe had value around 10k so replacing using used transmissions will maybe cost 6k.
So I didn't have choice just follow same procedures replacing all the old ring including that gear. That gear i bought from Germany and it cost around $600. It take me maybe 4 days to fix that transfer case. I raise the high so i can seat under car to fix that transfer case. The car is ok until now i had 211k now.

 

This the post I follow up to fix my transfer case. It also had details my fix. Somebody also provide his youtube video how he fix his transfer case

https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...anny-diff.html