124 Half Drive Shafts.

[WDB124066]

What is the conventional wisdom re length of remaining service in the half drive shafts (diff to rear wheels) once they start to click on drive after reversing and after firm-ish braking to a standstill when moving away again.

And, do they tend to fall apart when worn with no warning other than clicking, or are they like CV joints in front wheel drive cars where they really do complain loudly before total failure....??

Grober, Olly, Ian, and others who see these regularly, what are your experiences with the slow or fast total failure rates of these.

Are refit kits available or is it new shaft time?

Regards to all, W.

 

[carat 3.6]

Are you sure that it isnt the handbrake shoes clicking? The springs that hold those rust away long before the drive shafts wear out, and give the same clicking noise.

If it is the driveshaft I wouldnt worry about it, I give mine some extreme abuse and they haven't complained yet.

 

[WDB124066]

No I am not sure and thanks for raising it. The clicking I get is when power is transmitted in reverse after it has been in drive and visa versa. Also more recently after braking from speed and pulling away at an intersection.

I have had an experienced Mechanic look at it a while back and the conclusion was CV joints in the axle shaft, it does sound like a power transmission type of click.

We don't get much corrosion here, but how to test/inspect for shoe spring corrosion?

If it is the CV joints is there a kit to replace the pair per shaft or is it time for new shafts....?

 

[RBYCC]

If you didn't mention the clicking after braking and pulling away, I would look at the transmission.

Quite common for reverse ticking when the B3 clutch discs are worn thin enough to allow the B3 piston to impact the Outside plate carrier of clutch K-1. Eventually the piston will be damaged.
Pull your transmission dipstick and see if the fluid is bright red and sweet smelling or brownish and acrid smelling.

Assume the mechanic inspected the drive shaft flex discs ?

Ed A.

 

[WDB124066]

Yes, they have been given the once over and I have some spare sitting here for when the time comes RBYCC, it doesn't look like or sound as though it is in the prop shaft. Car is smooth.

It is only one click as the power is initially transmitted and really does sound as thought it is coming from the rear axel area, sounds like CV joints....

But, what are the characteristics of the transmission clicks, is it one click or a series of clicks as you are moving backwards?

I was reading up on how to replace the CV joints - the MB text makes mention of repair kits for these - anybody ever used them...??

 

[RBYCC]

The transmission would make a continuous slow clicking when reversing...

If you're hearing the clicks after braking then it sounds more like the axle shaft(s)

Has the mechanic put the car on a lift and with someone sitting in it to place the transmission in reverse and apply braking ?
Much easier to isolate the noise from under the car by sound or sight.

You might also look at the rear wheel bearings as they would also click in reverse or from reverse to drive.

Ed A.

 

[WDB124066]

Spot on Ed. Had a chat with him today and his comments exactly. Axle shafts are still available new and I think I may just lunge in and get some in anycase, if not for now sure as eggs for later. Thinking about the female spline in the diff too, haven't got that far yet but I am thinking it may just be a matter of time before wear in there will render new male spline (only) pretty much useless - or are they bathed in diff oil.....??

 

[mct_cars]

I have this problem on one of my Drive Shafts - the click comes from the spline where the drive shaft locates into the hub of the wheel. I only heard mine with the roof down, and with the same circumstances as yours. It's easy to spot with the car on a ramp - just turn the driveshaft back and forth by hand and you can see it.

The driveshafts are available, but if they're anything like the R107, they're also phenomenally expensive! There's quite a few folk in the US do refurbs, not so many here in the UK.

As mine is only slight, I'm not worried, but aware it can only get worse!

 

[WDB124066]

You are correct about hearing it with the roof down, bet there are many others who have this but simply can't hear it.
And yes they are expensive; the good news is I have the Dealer working well with MB here, between them they have definitely come to the party for me - which I really do appreciate. I suppose it helps having one of the world's best SL restorers also using this particular Dealer, I am guessing once they know you are all about keeping older higher mileage cars Genuine they do try to look after you a bit more.

Will get the car back up on the ramp and try to pinpoint it, but I have a feeling it is going to be new shafts and just maybe the mating splined parts....??

 

[mct_cars]

Will get the car back up on the ramp and try to pinpoint it, but I have a feeling it is going to be new shafts and just maybe the mating splined parts....??

Mercedes don't list the individual components, but the splined shaft could definitely be made, you would expect, for less than the cost of a new full shaft.

One thought I did have though was is it the spline on the drive shaft worn, or the spline on the hub?

 

[kth286]

On 124 the inner joint of the driveshaft is available seperately.

The outer joint is fixed on, and included with, the shaft.

 

[WDB124066]

New shafts...

 

[brucemillar]

The transmission would make a continuous slow clicking when reversing...



Ed A.

Aha. Exactly what my 300te 4matic is doing. That clicking has now added into another more worrying noise. A constant grating along with the ticking when in reverse. All good as long as I never need to go backwards.

Ed. Is this a grearbox rebuild or can you just replace the parts you mention?

Apologies for the hi-jack.

 

[RBYCC]

Aha. Exactly what my 300te 4matic is doing. That clicking has now added into another more worrying noise. A constant grating along with the ticking when in reverse. All good as long as I never need to go backwards.

Ed. Is this a grearbox rebuild or can you just replace the parts you mention?

Apologies for the hi-jack.

Bruce

I would have it inspected by a transmission specialist.
Problems can only be determined by dropping the pan.
Hopefully it is nothing major.

Ed A.