Intermediate Shaft
It was one of the worst experiences of my life! But to save ($5550 dealer charge), it was worth it. Now I'm waiting for my new intermediate shaft to come in being that my current one is seized to the cv axle.
Intermediate shaft w/ bearing
Chain wrapped around cv axle and connected to a slide hammer
Intermediate shaft and cv axle



I've blasted the intermediate shaft with penetrating oil and have hit it with a pry bar and hammer and it still will not dislodge. My question to anyone that has completed this job is can heat be applied? Will the heat damage the oil pan?
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The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I removed the clamp prior to disengaging the intermediate shaft. I was also fortunate enough to have the bearing come out with the shaft. As far as reassemble, you will need the clamp to ensure that the intermediate shaft stays in place.
I'm sorry to hear that your oil pan was destroyed, but if you remove the rack and pinion, it may be possible to weld the aluminum. (something to consider). If thus isn't an option, replacing of the oil pan may be the only option.
It was one of the worst experiences of my life! But to save ($5550 dealer charge), it was worth it. Now I'm waiting for my new intermediate shaft to come in being that my current one is seized to the cv axle.
Intermediate shaft w/ bearing
Chain wrapped around cv axle and connected to a slide hammer
Intermediate shaft and cv axle




I made a thread on the entire process here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...e-removal.html
I did not want to deal with a stuck intermediate shaft which im sure my New England car has so I simply cut the inner boot and pulled out the axle leaving the inner hub in the car attached to the intermediate shaft. I did try tugging on the inner hub a bit and it wasnt easily coming out.
One thing I noticed is there is a plug in the back of the inner hub. I read in another thread somewhere that someone removed this plug and sprayed penetrating fluid in the hole and was then able to pull the hub from the intermediate shaft. I think it is part# 000443017000 on the diagram but I could be wrong since I never ordered one.
I didnt mess with that plug. I replaced the outer boot with the axle out of the car then put the axle back into the car/hub. The biggest issue I ran in to was how to properly install the larger clamp on the inner boot with it so close to the subframe. I solved that by using a vise type tool that just fit in that tight space. I cannot recommend that tool enough it worked great. Just in general for installing the clamps its great.
Last edited by TimC300; Nov 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM.




While in there I visually inspected the bearing and it look fine, not signs of damage, no leaking grease etc. In the MB manuals they mention replacing the oil seal in the differential when removing/installing the passenger side cv axle yet in the instructions for removing/installing the intermediate shaft there is no mention of the oil seal even though it has one which I find odd. To replace the drivers side oil seal the differential would have to be removed which is a big job so im assuming thats why they left it out in the manual.
I just replaced my passenger side cv axle boots yesterday due to a tiny leak and did the same thing, left the inner hub in the car. I think I caused the damage to the boot while replacing the strut. I had inspected under the front diff recently and did not see any signs of leaking oil so I had no reason to replace the oil seal so I didnt want to disturb it.
I have a W204 so not sure if this way can even be done on a W221. On mine there is really limited room to fit the clamping tool on the inner most clamp, seems its the 11 o-clock position on the drivers and 1 o-clock position on the passenger side or else the subframe gets in the way.
During this job I realized the smaller inner bearing can be easily removed from the bearing. I was recently watching a video of someone rebuilding German tanks and he refurbished the drive bearing and showed how two notches are in them for installing/removing them. I found some gunk in these areas.







