Rocksnsalt
There Can Be Only ONE
Yeah everybody so SHuuuush!
2023 AWD front drive shaft C-clip failure and drive line vibration.
- Thread starter airtest
- Start date
It’s pretty simple. You modify your rig and you’re at the dealers mercy. I’ve had my c clip and driveshaft replaced on two different trips to the dealer. The second time the dealer said they probably aren’t doing it again and blamed the VC strut and said the angles are probably jacked because my van is lifted even though it’s not.
I’ll probably have them do the service next time and play nice with the advisor. The art of the deal…nvm. I need to reference another book…
I’ll probably have them do the service next time and play nice with the advisor. The art of the deal…nvm. I need to reference another book…
Rocksnsalt
There Can Be Only ONE
Suggested reading
How to Win Friends and Influence People…
(D. Carnegie)
Wow did the service dept just do a update or something, looks nice.
You been workin’ out?
Nice cut G
Ya’ll get your teeth fixed or something…
How to Win Friends and Influence People…
(D. Carnegie)
Wow did the service dept just do a update or something, looks nice.
You been workin’ out?
Nice cut G
Ya’ll get your teeth fixed or something…
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I'm noticing my Sprinter doing the same thing. Just checked mine and it has some grease coming out! Also, I'm not sure if the shaft should move front/back 🤔 I can literally grab it and push front/back.
I got the new shaft but it looks little bit different. Also, there is some rubber oring which was already damaged as the new part arrived.
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My understanding is that the front/back movement is normal, known as plunge. The issue I experienced was the clicking noise and grease from the broken CV joint caused by seizing at the CV joint.
As I mentioned earlier, there is a defect with the front driveshaft due to a manufacturing tolerance error. I purchased four front driveshafts from Mercedes, and they all immediately seized up right out of the box. I read that about 1 out of 4 or 5 doesn't have this issue. If you have no lift or change at all to your driveshaft angle, you might not encounter a problem. The front driveshaft is designed to handle a 10-degree angle difference, but it fails at less than 10 degrees.
A driveshaft manufacturing company is building me a new front driveshaft that fixes all the issues, and it should be ready near the end of the year. They plan to sell it because this is a widespread problem and appears Mercedes has not fixed the issue. I'll post here once the aftermarket driveshaft is available.
O wow!!! I'm experiencing the same issues. I purchased new shaft and I have some mixed feelings about it because it is seized especially the rear side where the bolts are. I'm not able to move it inside at all!!! Not sure if that's normal but if that's the case I might wait for your company! Please post it here! I'm having a lot of vibrations at 60+mph. Even at lower rpm and lower speed too.
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Yep, the seizing where you describe is exactly where it happens. It will move with enough force applied and, if you install it, the cv joint will tear, grease will fly and then you'll hear the clicking noise.
My NEW part out of the box is already bad!!!! Wtf!?!?
Spare_Mag_Mike
Filling freezers and my soul all at the same time.
How many miles are on yalls vans?! I’ve had the C Clip fail 3 times. But not the CV joint in the shaft yall are describing.
I'm at 104k miles but this vibration was happening earlier. I thought my tires are bad but after full inspection I found that drive shaft issues.
I haven't had the c-clip fail. But the new aftermarket driveshaft will address that issue too. That said, if you are only experiencing the c-clip issue you might want to try this fix from agile off-road: https://agileoffroad.com/product/drive-shaft-spacer-safety-kit-for-2023-awd-sprinter/
Spare_Mag_Mike
Filling freezers and my soul all at the same time.
After most recent shaft from MB warranty replacement. I’ve been trouble free. It does appear they have possibly made the rear yoke with added material vs the older ones. However I cannot confirm it. It just looks thicker. When I do suspension I’ll be adding spacer to prolly both front and rear shafts.
Maslin
I've worked on a few vans
keepmoving
Well-known member
We have also seen bad driveshafts right out of the box. The transferase end can also be notchy and make clicking noise out of the box. We are working to come up with a solution.
Maslin
I've worked on a few vans
On lifted subframes or stock?
Stock, the shaft operates in a tiny window of misalignment, it’s nearly straight. We haven’t seen any with noise complaints. Still seeing them popped off the at the front, but it’s all low low mileage old stock RV builds and stuff.
Thanks!!
Any tips for removing the shaft? Kinda stock on the cv joint
Maslin
I've worked on a few vans
Thanks!!
Stuck on the front? It comes off like a normal CV, just a friction fit on a snap ring. There's juuuust enough room to move the rear end up and toward the transmission to take it out.
Yes, stuck on the front. The rear, 6 bolts were easy but the front damn it is stuck there!
Rocksnsalt
There Can Be Only ONE
This is why god invented the 2lb sledge.
(Tap tap tap)
(Tap tap tap)
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I'm hitting that mf so hard lol 😆 No room, plastic components. Life is good 😄