How to replace driveshaft center support/hanger bearing on a Mercedes GL/ML/R (X164/W164/W251)

In this video I use some basic tools and a few paperclips to service the driveshaft on my Mercedes GL 320 Bluetec. The central bearing on the driveshaft was starting to fail so it had to be replaced. Mercedes does not sell a replacement bearing because the driveshaft is a "non-serviceable item" on this vehicle so they charge $1400+ for a new driveshaft.
I bought a bearing for $50 and took apart the shaft to replace it.
Here is the bearing used on this vehicle (perfect fit on the GL):
www.driveshaft...
the same item on ebay:
www.ebay.ca/it...
I apologize for the bad sound half way through the video - I had some technical difficulties with the mic.

[@spring6meow]

Brother thank you so much for this video. I think it's actually the first video on properly replacing the centre bearing on a x164. From memory this part is serviceable on the ML but not GL class.

[@tedlu008]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Would like to see more video on the GL, eg. Radiator replacement, water pump replacement, power steering pump & hose replacement, alternator replacement.

[@razaiw2113]

thank you i will do it next week

[@stevenhovinga6584]

I'm so glad I found your video, this is going to save me a lot of money... I have a Chrysler Pacifica and it has the same type of drive shaft. Thank you very much!!!

[@firdausravindar977]

Great job. Thanks for posting this valuable video on youtube.😊😊😊

[@hadrianhaine5204]

Thank you. It's a easy job on any car. but the only reason Mercedes would make a non service item is greed.

[@johnandrews3568]

I don't care what Mike says, you're a genius.

[@johnandrews3568]

@@ETMotorsports He'll have to post it here himself. 😁

[@teokastelan2930]

Great detailed videos ! Just keep it up. Thank you !

[@MR-nu1xp]

Thanks a mill. U are STAR!

[@ETMotorsports]

You doing the bearing?

[@UnfilteredGolfer]

The reason its not serviceable is because the hourly rate is an average 185$/hour and the issues possible following this,is just not worth a quick parts swap + nice profit on a 1200$-1400$ part...and to mention that will be a special order part,no dealer will carry a shaft...backordered germany,garanteed!!anyway great video!!

[@MrDosSantos991]

I need the center bearing for my W251 (R class) but I can’t find it anywhere

[@ETMotorsports]

@@MrDosSantos991 should be the same one no?

[@garylim6486]

do you know 2005 W220 center support bearing is replaceable like yours?...thx for the video lesson.

[@KPSoundCo]

I have a 2008 c300 awd sport 4matic, is this a similar process to my car?? Dealership said my drive shaft bearing is bad and would cost $7600 lmao, Thanks for this

[@vasolazovic3670]

what type of grease is that?

[@arnestraumstein4322]

i am sorry, but can someone tell me the partsnr on the bearing?? Arne for Norway

[@AmroMahsoon]

Amazing video! How did u assume that the hanger is damaged? Was there any noise while driving? I mean were there any symptoms?

[@ETMotorsports]

No issues - I just noticed it when I went to install the drive shaft back on the car

[@AmroMahsoon]

@@ETMotorsports thanks man!

[@user-tl9ix2og7r]

Hi, really I appreciated this video. However, when I checked for a new center drive shaft support bearing to my GL 320 CDI from 2007 it does not come up as an available spare part. Only the ML class came up. I would appreciate if you can provide the correct spare part number for my GL from 2007.

[@ETMotorsports]

Hi - there's no spare part from mercedes... if you watch the video I talk about the fact that according to mercedes this isn't serviceable and you have to order the whole shaft. Check out the links in the description to see which part I used for my 2009 GL

[@user-tl9ix2og7r]

Hi again, thank you for the prompt reply. Yes, I understood there are not any MB OEM parts. I looked again at the video but I cannot find any links for the parts, only the drawing where it says ML W164, REAR oe: 1644103102 which was the reason I missed to understand it could fit the GL. However, I would appreciate if you could send me the link for the parts to my 2007 GL. @@ETMotorsports

[@ETMotorsports]

@user-tl9ix2og7r the ML and GL bearings are the same...I bought mine from the ebay link in the description - yeah there's no GL listing but it's the same unit... only difference is the length of the shaft which doesn't matter for the bearing

[@goran831]

Hi Can you make a video of CLS w218 350 cgi drive shaft ? Thanks

[@ETMotorsports]

Hmm we don't have those in Canada but I imagine the setup is pretty close

[@edwardcheung7797]

Hello.. I found video amazing. But from 17:10 time I see you hammer the cage back on.. it twist slightly and made a humming noise. Is that normal.. Becuase I have the same issue sound from the center drive shaft

[@ETMotorsports]

Hey the little humming noise is from where I have the shaft clamped on the vice... the cover doesn't move in respect to the shaft once it's in place

[@edwardcheung7797]

@@ETMotorsports thank you for the reply. Hope it works on mine.. Becuase I have the same issue !! Thanks for posting the video !! Means a lot to me !!!!

[@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073]

11:09 how deep are the groove marks from balls? Did your flex u-joints or whatever they call moved freely? Like with no binding what so ever? Im asking because i took front one apart and it had similar grooves to yours and they are binding. Making this shaft no "good". So im guessing my rear drive shaft would not be any better. Planning to replace both of them.

[@ETMotorsports]

I would redo it if I was you - I seem to recall being able to fit this wrong so just take it apart and redo it again... keep going until they're free to move... it's not really possible to break this so take your time and fit it again

[@ETMotorsports]

I do believe you can reverse the outer shell so you can install it backwards over the balls... pretty sure I did that at one point

[@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073]

@@ETMotorsports my drive shaft ends were binding I took front one apart. It was no in way moved as freely as a cv axles. I'm not sure what are you telling me to reverse. But with the amount of wear I do not see it as a good part. I do not really having problems with it up too 80mph but above it there is definitely a shaking going on. I just did full rebuild on a 100k engine and I don't regret it. So in my opinion the only way too truly rebuild them shafts one would have to cut off the cv ends and weld a new ones. They have way to much wear for my liking.

[@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073]

@@ETMotorsports so your drive shaft cv ends move as freely as a cv axel moves? Before and after you took them apart?

[@ETMotorsports]

@@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073 yup - no issues

[@aurimasmaciulaitis2973]

Thank you, I made it 😁👍👍👍

[@ETMotorsports]

You are welcome 😊

[@kathyreynolds4808]

I can buy the center support (hanger) bearing on Amazon.

[@kathyreynolds4808]

E- Bay. Than you

[@vitalmakhdum]

Good video but sound is super low

[@mrmojorisin6638]

Can you give me the part number for the ml164 bearing

[@ETMotorsports]

it's the same part for the ML - there's no part number because you can't buy it from the dealership...you can see the links in the description for where you can order from

[@stianholmgren6607]

Do you know if the bearing will fit 2007 GL420 with offroad pacage?

[@stianholmgren6607]

Just finished this job. It's easier to do on my car. There are only one lock ring at the splines that needs to be opened to separate the axle. Thank you for this video 😁 I payed 130$ delivered to my door in Norway for the bearing. Axle at the dealer was 2900 dollar.

[@nic7340]

@@stianholmgren6607 Nice. I am about to do this job on my 2007 GL320 with the offroad package. Anny tips?

[@stianholmgren6607]

@@nic7340 The video explains the process very well. I used a good marker and made scratches on the axle making it easy to match up the splines.

[@allensadler1135]

I must have weak paper clips! What is the secret to not bending them?

[@stianholmgren6607]

Maybe thick needels are better

[@DanielRodriguez-dc7qc]

I have dodge chalenger sxt can I replace the center bearing

[@ETMotorsports]

Sorry mate - no idea... generally speaking all the bearings were installed somehow so they should be replaceable

[@geartmulla3170]

good job. can it be done the same in the w166 model?

[@ETMotorsports]

Great question - I would imagine so... the 166 is more or less the same as the 164 both the W and X versions so I suspect it's the same setup

[@mazpr2025]

@@ETMotorsports somehow all your replies on the Audi oil issue videos are all gone, postings and replies

[@tomasavramovic1110]

Will this fit w251 R320 CDI ?

[@ETMotorsports]

It should - identical setup on the R, ML and GL