Mercedes Drive Shaft Flex Joint
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Central California
GL350
Mercedes Drive Shaft Flex Joint
I went to my Mercedes dealership today for its Service “A” oil change. Serviced
Last edited by KYBRIGGS82; Apr 30, 2020 at 07:53 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
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From: Lawrence, Kansas
GL320
I went to my Mercedes dealership today for its Service “A” oil change. After the vehicles service, I was advised by the service tech that the drive shaft flex joint with titanium bolts was showing cracks in the rubber and should be replaced. I was advised the total cost of repair was $695.00. Is this a repair that’s immediate or can it wait 6 months or so? Is $695 an average cost repair for the part and labor?
My vehicle is a 2012 GL350 with 78,000 miles.
My vehicle is a 2012 GL350 with 78,000 miles.
https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/...G36-V6184.aspx
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
And, it’s called a Giubo.
that’s at least $400 of the trumped up bill you got.
remeber to mark the relative position of the input and output shafts and assemble them the exact way they came off. Otherwise vibrations will occur.
that’s at least $400 of the trumped up bill you got.
remeber to mark the relative position of the input and output shafts and assemble them the exact way they came off. Otherwise vibrations will occur.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Central California
GL350
Max Blast thanks..
When I called my service dealer to have a Service “A” completed on my vehicle a couple of days ago, I was quoted $325.00. I was surprised because in the past it was under $200. While requesting the quote online, the service manager noted I was nearing the recommended service for my transmission at 80,000 miles. I was told with the Service “A” and transmission service the total estimated cost would be $3,100.00!!! Luckily the Mercedes dealership had already serviced my transmission last year for $500.00 and I had located a nearby Mercedes dealership offering a $199.00 Service “A” coupon. The service manager accepted the coupon and I saved myself $130.00 today Then while they were finishing up washing my vehicle, I was advised I should replace the drive shaft flex joint with a replacement cost of $695.00.
Damn COVID-19 must effecting this business so they expect me to make up the loss. I wonder how many other customers suffered higher service fees by this Mercedes dealership in Central California. I saved her email quotes as a reminder to be careful of future transactions!
When I called my service dealer to have a Service “A” completed on my vehicle a couple of days ago, I was quoted $325.00. I was surprised because in the past it was under $200. While requesting the quote online, the service manager noted I was nearing the recommended service for my transmission at 80,000 miles. I was told with the Service “A” and transmission service the total estimated cost would be $3,100.00!!! Luckily the Mercedes dealership had already serviced my transmission last year for $500.00 and I had located a nearby Mercedes dealership offering a $199.00 Service “A” coupon. The service manager accepted the coupon and I saved myself $130.00 today Then while they were finishing up washing my vehicle, I was advised I should replace the drive shaft flex joint with a replacement cost of $695.00.
Damn COVID-19 must effecting this business so they expect me to make up the loss. I wonder how many other customers suffered higher service fees by this Mercedes dealership in Central California. I saved her email quotes as a reminder to be careful of future transactions!
Last edited by KYBRIGGS82; Apr 2, 2020 at 07:38 PM.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Get a second opinion. I have 250k+ miles on my original unit and my car is a 2007. You may want to steer clear of that dealership as it looks to be they are trying to mine their service customers for the loss of their car sales profitability.
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Obviously this is just conjecture, without actually seeing it. But I highly doubt it's "bad". Could it have some cracks... sure. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. These things normally get cracks in them over time, but they just keep chugging along. I have a '97 BMW and the guibo has been cracked for a long, long time. It's on my list of "to-do's" - but it's been on that list for quite a while! So... could your guibo be bad? Absolutely. But I think they would have been more "encouraging" for you to replace it.
In the end, best thing you can do is to get your own eyes on it or get a second opinion. Again, we're all only going on the assumption that your guibo is aging like most others do - there's still that off chance that there's an actual issue - but I still think they would have been much more persuasive if that was the case.
In the end, best thing you can do is to get your own eyes on it or get a second opinion. Again, we're all only going on the assumption that your guibo is aging like most others do - there's still that off chance that there's an actual issue - but I still think they would have been much more persuasive if that was the case.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Back in the day we called these "SGF couplings".
https://www.sgf.de/tl_files/theme/pd...0couplings.pdf
They are reinforced with cords. They generally do not fail catastrophically, meaning if there is superficial cracking, total failure is not generally imminent.
Rumbling sound and vibration is a sign the coupling is pretty far gone, however it will continue to transmit torque in a very deteriorated condition.
https://www.sgf.de/tl_files/theme/pd...0couplings.pdf
They are reinforced with cords. They generally do not fail catastrophically, meaning if there is superficial cracking, total failure is not generally imminent.
Rumbling sound and vibration is a sign the coupling is pretty far gone, however it will continue to transmit torque in a very deteriorated condition.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Central California
GL350
DennisG01..
Thank you for the information. I have an independent mechanic shop whom I’ve known for years and trust. I will get his opinion and replace it if necessary. He was replaced the air ride shocks and vehicle brakes for me in the past and his work is very good at a good price.
i think the dealership didn’t appreciate my haggling with them over another Mercedes dealerships $325.00 Service “A” coupon so they threw in repair to recoup their loss! At $199.00 on a Service “A” maintenance procedure, I’m sure they did all right.
Thank you for the information. I have an independent mechanic shop whom I’ve known for years and trust. I will get his opinion and replace it if necessary. He was replaced the air ride shocks and vehicle brakes for me in the past and his work is very good at a good price.
i think the dealership didn’t appreciate my haggling with them over another Mercedes dealerships $325.00 Service “A” coupon so they threw in repair to recoup their loss! At $199.00 on a Service “A” maintenance procedure, I’m sure they did all right.
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SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
Yes they will show visible cracks and not be ready to fall apart. When you start to feel vibration definitely replace it. Buying the part online at rockauto or fcpEuro or Autohausaz will be like the guy said, under $100 and a good indy shouldn't charge more than two hours labor or $200 to do the job. The part comes as a kit including the new bolts. Dealerships are Stealerships. Whenever you do replace it, the new one should be good for at least 80K miles. One of my first Mercedes I owned was a 1987 300E with a bad flex disc, and I mean REALLY bad. It was like hanging on by a thread, I bought the car drove it home, horrible vibrations, it was like it was ready to explode!! I couldn't go over 25MPH, I drove it to a shop and they replaced the disc, also center bearing which is an inexpensive part as well, and the total bill was under $300. This was a few years back. That flex disc was so far gone, it was unsafe to drive. But it still made it to the shop. Afterwards, smooth as silk like a Benz is supposed to be!
Last edited by tonylinc; Apr 5, 2020 at 04:19 PM.
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 11
From: Central California
GL350
Damn it.. Just had the Service “A” completed 04/02/2020 and now this morning the “Check Engine” light went on.. How can this be? What should I look for?
**Update**
I drove the vehicle and noticed a loss of power. 10 days ago the “Add Def” light came on and I added 5 gallons of AdBlu. I drove the vehicle around the block and the warning light turned off. I just completed the Service “A” 6 days ago and now today the check engine light. I took the vehicle to a local mechanic who said the code was reading an issue with “particulates” and reset the warning lights. After several attempts of correcting the codes he stated he was unable to clear codes in the “DIS” program and that I should take it to Mercedes for a diagnostic.
I hate to guess what’s that’s going to cost.
Any ideas?
**Update**
I drove the vehicle and noticed a loss of power. 10 days ago the “Add Def” light came on and I added 5 gallons of AdBlu. I drove the vehicle around the block and the warning light turned off. I just completed the Service “A” 6 days ago and now today the check engine light. I took the vehicle to a local mechanic who said the code was reading an issue with “particulates” and reset the warning lights. After several attempts of correcting the codes he stated he was unable to clear codes in the “DIS” program and that I should take it to Mercedes for a diagnostic.
I hate to guess what’s that’s going to cost.
Any ideas?
Last edited by KYBRIGGS82; Apr 6, 2020 at 02:39 PM.
