sprfrkr

Ugh. Car has been at dealer since July 15 and tech goes radio silent on me for a week. I complain to the dealer about the lack of communication and I get a call today stating they either want to do a complete front axel rebuild, or a replacement with new from Germany.

I brought my 2007 G55 to the dealer for service. While driving 20-30 miles per hour, if you put slight left turn pressure on the wheel, you will feel a slight wear/grinding. I thought wheel bearing from the start. The dealer replaced the steering dampener at first. When I went to pick up, the noise was still there and the foreman took a drive and he finally heard/felt the noise. They want to do a full rebuild on the axel as they are not sure what the issue actually is. Meaning 4 days on the book time and parts $$$. The other option is a complete replacement of the axel. Also $$$.

I'm capable of working on my cars, but wanted to avoid digging into the axel myself. However, it does not seem I have a choice. I'm willing to put more money into the parts if it means an easier swap such as a complete axel kit or similar.

Can anyone advise me to my options?

Floobydust

Stow the Vaseline - no need for a total rebuild! For an '07 it's either wheel bearings or a CV joint. Replacing either of these is not easy mechanical work (I have done both), but it is far less than a total rebuild (done that too). If you are not really prepared for that, since you are in the NYC/Philly area I would take it to Wolfgang's in Tenafly, NJ and get just the work done you need.

hard top

They don't know what the problem is. The process of elimination will be costly. I personally would take it to a mechanic that has troubleshooting skills, even if I have to ship the truck out of state.

ima55r2

Check the CV boots between the folds to see if it is cracked, allowing in sand or dirt to cause the grinding before tackling the axle.

Black Forest

I have the same noise and will be replacing the front wheel bearings next week when the parts arrive. What I found with ours is if you grab the top of the tire car on the ground and push in and pull out I can feel a clunk (wheel bearing on right front loose due to wear) Noise will be from wheel bearing. Will also replace CV boot and service joint at the same time. Let me know if you can feel a clunk on yours.

sprfrkr

Thanks! I don't know why my post notifications are not working.
I've read every article, I've watched every video for Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, and big trucks with similar axles. I feel ready. Vlad from 4x4abc offered to troubleshoot any issues as they arise. I'm going with the basic rebuild kit which will include all bearings and seals as well as the CV boot and service kit.
I have to pick up the truck from the dealer still to do the final check. I am hoping it is something obvious when I get in there.
Thank you!

Black Forest

Rock the front tires back and forth as I mentioned like to hear what you find. My parts are just starting to arrive.

sprfrkr

I’m on it! I’ll have parts on standby when I start the teardown. Good luck! Shoot me a message if you gain any insights.

I have a few shopping carts of parts and specialty tools at the ready for this job. Will be pretty expensive, but not the $5-10K the dealer quoted.

Black Forest

5-10K Thats steep. I will certainly stay in touch as I go through it. Heres a link to the process just incase you haven't seen it. https://gwagenw463.blogspot.com/2018...placement.html

sprfrkr

Thanks! Here is another good one: http://www.cigamania.com/node/3150
I also bought this Guide (mostly the factory manuals): http://4x4abc.com/Mercedes-Benz.G-Cl...earing460.html

Black Forest

Thanks for the links! Always good to have as much info as possible.

Black Forest

Well.. First fatality was the ABS Sensor..... It was slowly twisting out then heard a little crack and that was it for that.. It was looking good until that happened. Do yourself a favour if its feeling a bit stiff to remove disconnect the sensor on the body side and leave the stinking thing in... Anyone happen to have one they could rush ship to Vancouver B.C??

Floobydust

Been there, done that. Corrosion in the metal bore and degradation of the plastic literally "press fits" them in. I spent almost an hour once trying to unsuccessfully remove one in tact.

Black Forest

Same... An hour later no joy.. And I was being so careful. Better of disconnect at body I think.

sprfrkr

Yikes! Good tip for sure!

Did you disconnect the caliper lines, or leave them in tact and just zip tie the whole thing out of the way?

Floobydust

I personally went the zip tie route and was careful with the lines.

Black Forest

Zip ties. Inner bearing was toast. As for the sensor I stood no chance it was a B*%$ch to get the remaining bit out. Now onto the CV boot.

sprfrkr

I'm actually happy to hear you say that you saw the bearing was trashed. My fear is getting in there and not seeing anything obvious.

Are you going to separate the CV and shaft to completely break the joint down, or just check and clean it out, then put on new boots?

Black Forest

CV looked good but will have to remove it to instal boot so probably will give it a big clean and repack joint. The bearing was from the side I mentioned that made the clunk. With the tire off the ground there was nothing obvious but with load different story.

sprfrkr

Awesome!

shiann

have you been able to take pictures while taking everything apart? I would assume this would be difficult considering everything is covered with grease and grime.

Black Forest

Yes super messy job. My wife is still real happy I used one of her spatula's to clean out the housings. I used the old one... Found out last night the cv boot I was sent is the wrong one. Looks like the box was opened and the wrong boot was put back in..

sprfrkr

ugh. That is brutal!

I’ve been eyeing spatulas since reading that how to article haha

edit: why do you say it is the wrong one? I saw a thread where a guy had to do battle with it to make it fit over the axel. Several others chimed in stating the same.

Black Forest

Didn't have the ribs on it and has 4 ribs (too long). One thing to mention. I bought the OE Mercedes tool for the axle nuts and its takes a 1" drive lucky I had an adaptor to convert it to 1/2" on hand. Why they would use 1" is beyond me.

sprfrkr

1”! that is crazy. I’ll order up a step down adapter from Amazon now so it is waiting for me. That would have sucked!