shaman369

hello everyone. i have a 2000 Mercedes ml320.i have been hearing a grinding in the undercarriage of the vehicle. with research from here i have seen most people say its the rear driveshaft carrier bearing. i took it to a local mech and he says i need a whole new rear driveshaft and that the carrier bearing cannot be replaced as it a part of the rear driveshaft and cannot be replaced without replacing the whole rear driveshaft.The car is still drive-able so i was wondering if i need a rear driveshaft the car wouldn't drive but not sure, if someone can help me with any advice or technical knowledge of this issue about diagnosis, repair, or anything that might help i would really appreciate it thought i would check here before i buy the rear driveshaft.thanks.

chassis

Driveshaft carrier bearing failure is normal for an older vehicle such as your 2000 ML320. There is a rubber element that eventually disintegrates, creating a noise normally referred to as rumbling or knocking.

I don't know on the 2000 ML320 if the carrier bearing is replaceable separately from the rear driveshaft. With a vehicle as old as yours, it is good practice to replace natural assemblies, such as a rear driveshaft and carrier bearing, in totality. Driveshaft joints, whether metallic (cardan or universal) or rubber (flex, SGF) have a finite life and need replacing eventually. If it were my vehicle, I would replace the rear driveshaft, carrier bearing, and all related driveshaft joints.

How many miles are on your vehicle?

shaman369

hey guys just wanna update you guys. i changed the center support bearing did the trick noise gone, truck is driving great thanks alot guys really appreciate the input.

chassis

Sounds great, good news. Did you replace only the support bearing, or the complete rear driveshaft assembly?