Rate my center shaft bearing (video)
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Joined: Apr 2024
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From: Venice, Fla
2008 S550, 2015 G550
Rate my center shaft bearing (video)
Is this center shaft bearing perished? Video of me pushing it → slight clunking noise. (Backstory: 2008 S550 RWD with 72k miles. It throws slight vibration/thrumming at 65MPH or higher, which you feel in the seat-bottoms and subtly in the steering wheel. Wheels are balanced (though not Road Force) and tires are new.)
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S500
if the noise in the video is from the centre bearing its toast - they should be no noise and no slop
normally the pathetic housing allows the propshaft to sit out of alignment - can't see that in your video - but the noise trumps that
normally the pathetic housing allows the propshaft to sit out of alignment - can't see that in your video - but the noise trumps that
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From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
This was discussed on a different recent thread. My car was the same age and mileage. You can be certain yours is toast at this age, and you should replace it--not even a question. Finding one for my particular model was a challenge. Do the flex discs and exhaust hangers while you're in there. It made the maddening steering wheel shake finally go away, and for at least two of us.
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Joined: Apr 2024
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From: Venice, Fla
2008 S550, 2015 G550
Thank you @nath_h and @BOTUS ; I'll indeed replace it (and discs, and hangers). While I got you, I see you're both benzninja people. I considered it too, but here's my question: How did you reconcile the considerable investment with the fact that—correct me here—benzninja is just one guy? A guy who might get bored of offering the service or win the lottery or meet his untimely demise?
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From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
Thank you @nath_h and @BOTUS ; I'll indeed replace it (and discs, and hangers). While I got you, I see you're both benzninja people. I considered it too, but here's my question: How did you reconcile the considerable investment with the fact that—correct me here—benzninja is just one guy? A guy who might get bored of offering the service or win the lottery or meet his untimely demise?
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
It is true that he's only one person, and nothing in life can be ruled out for certain (we could all be run over by a bus today), but the upside is so high that you need @BenzNinja and it is 100% worth getting. He understands your car way way more than the tech at the dealer who was in elementary school when our cars were made. I get so much value out of his moderately priced service that I've started tipping him, as I've made back my investment in him several times over. The cost of his service is a steal, not to mention you don't have to drop it at the dealer and wait for weeks for them to maybe or maybe not figure things out while paying them $250/hour.
Peter is the real deal. He did a slew of software tricks for my S-65 after I purchased membership and equipment. I now have Xentry so have been able to sniff out little issues on my own with ease. If I get stumped I message Peter on Whatsapp and he gets me taken care of. Smart guy who is as friendly as can be.
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S500
costs.... if you own a merc and plan to keep for a while the costs are exceptional value.... other routes will be far more costly, far more frustrating, and likely will just lead to time wasting and fruitless visits to multiple morons
see nicer write up above....
see nicer write up above....
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Is this center shaft bearing perished? Video of me pushing it → slight clunking noise. (Backstory: 2008 S550 RWD with 72k miles. It throws slight vibration/thrumming at 65MPH or higher, which you feel in the seat-bottoms and subtly in the steering wheel. Wheels are balanced (though not Road Force) and tires are new.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_KxLRA2Nl4&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_KxLRA2Nl4&t=2s
When watching the video concentrate where the “red” is showing around the bearing itself. Do not confuse with the flex of the rubber housing.
I would look into the universal joint bearings that are located next to the center bearing on the other side of it and do not shown in the video.
But, if you take it down, replace all that others already have advised to do adding the U-joint bearings if necessary.
Last edited by Arrie; Nov 19, 2025 at 07:24 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,195
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From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
$250.00/hr? You would be getting away easy at that rate!
Peter is the real deal. He did a slew of software tricks for my S-65 after I purchased membership and equipment. I now have Xentry so have been able to sniff out little issues on my own with ease. If I get stumped I message Peter on Whatsapp and he gets me taken care of. Smart guy who is as friendly as can be.
Peter is the real deal. He did a slew of software tricks for my S-65 after I purchased membership and equipment. I now have Xentry so have been able to sniff out little issues on my own with ease. If I get stumped I message Peter on Whatsapp and he gets me taken care of. Smart guy who is as friendly as can be.
