Mercedes driveshaft removal and bearing replacement

Step by step procedure to remove the exhaust system, drive shaft, and replace the intermediate bearing -- then re-assemble the car. Do it yourself, do it right, and save big bucks.

[@richardtalachhgygvniyyda9e185]

Here is a method to install the bearing without having to hammer it on the shaft. Put the shaft in a freezer for a couple hours. Before remmoving the shaft from the freezer heat up the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit turn off the oven and place the bearing in the oven for 15- 20 minutes. Place the shaft verticle on wood spacers. I had the pipe and hammer ready just in case. Remove the bearing from the oven. Drop the bearing on the shaft. It will fall to the correct position without hammering. In a couple minutes the parts will return to room temperature and you're done.

[@proracingmexico3176]

Excellent video! One of the best tutorials on how to properly service the drive shaft!

[@thelongranger55]

Always try to Use your old bearings to press on the new one , it’s the same diameter , one thing you can do to prevent old one from sticking is simply sand down the inside with a Dremel

[@waltvau]

Thanks you helped me out bigtime. I needed to fix the same part on my car. Drives like a dream!!!!

[@chrisadams6595]

I've got the same car with the same mileage and the same problem. I looked at doing this myself and decided that the car is so close to the ground it will be almost impossible to do without ramps. However, your video shows how this is possible. I want to thank you so much for this.

[@MrEdwinhardesty]

What a great video, thanks for providing this. After watching this video I conclude, if it were me, that I would have replaced the entire drive shaft assembly while you can still buy one from Mercedes at around $800. I know the price is steep but it does come with the new universal joint which I'm sure is almost worn out on your car with the mileage you have. Or I would have bought a rebuilt balanced one with a grease fitting on the universal joint so you can keep it lubed and it will probably never wear out. Thanks for posting this.

[@RobertSmith-di5ll]

I am impressed with your preventive maintenance schedule - The medical world should watch

[@thelandlord8474]

Very helpful video I'm changing my driveshaft on my 2008 Mercedes s550 4matic it was making a metal clacking noise when driven only so I was told it was my driveshaft. I'm glad I ran into your video lots of very good information.

[@davidfierro3650]

What did you end up doing....can you specify what parts you replaced and what symptoms you got rid of? Thanks

[@wrnevils]

Great Video, one suggestion to improve. Following your advice of putting new Bearing on first then pounding on the center bracket I destroyed it as it wouldn’t go on. I pulled new Bearing off, ordered new center bracket and installed Bearing easily into bracket, then reset Bearing and bracket as one assembly. Luckily New parts again very cheap under $50. Thanks again for invitation to do ourselves. Benz runs great again!

[@kittypigeonclueless5566]

Magnificent! Thank you so much for the detailed professional step by step. I'm about to do the same on my cls. I was hoping it was just the flex discs but...looks like it's the carrier bearing so the exhaust has to come off. Thank you once again for all this free info, I cannot express how valuable what you did is to me.

[@r.weaver3769]

I always replace the Hardy discs and U-Joint at the same time. But I like to use a press for the bearing and U-Joint. But definatly Kudos on Keeping one of the best cars on the road ready for many more miles.

[@vladimirvladimir3143]

Absolutely great video! Pleasure to watch! Thank you!

[@sudd2685]

My goodness great job young man thank you for your videos thinking of doing mine over Christmas break.

[@TheDomin8rr]

Wow! Inspirational! Excellent DIY tutorial! That was a BIG job that would have been expensive to have a professional perform with same enthusiasm or attention to detail. Strong work! I'm going to start ordering parts for doing mine soon, maybe in fall when it cools off a little bit. Looking forward to your upcoming coolant system overhaul also!

[@zekeleonardo48]

I guess Im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly forgot the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!

[@greysoneduardo471]

@Zeke Leonardo instablaster =)

[@zekeleonardo48]

@Greyson Eduardo Thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im trying it out atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@zekeleonardo48]

@Greyson Eduardo It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@greysoneduardo471]

@Zeke Leonardo you are welcome :D

[@juliandodwell8213]

Great video thank you. I seperated the prop shaft on the car once I marked up. Piece of string to support the shafts. Diff flex welded on with the heat I think but wd 40 shorted that and bug f.off screw driver.

[@George-fh9zm]

This was a great video, especially, being made by someone at home.

[@justinhamill1931]

Thank you for making this video, it was very helpful. I did the same thing you did and replaced my flex discs first and then realized I should have changed the center bearing and support bracket. Now I'm ordering it from FCP Euro and I got to take all that crap out again but at least it will be done right. You are curious, I own a 2007 CL 550 with 230,000 miles on it

[@davidrubin5961]

outstanding, love the Duncan Hines reference! (and the laundry comment). thank you!

[@card.ologist4570]

Thanks!

[@mirv2381]

Thanks for posting this. I was at a loss as to how I was going to get the old bearing off and the new one on.

[@taz1010]

Thats fantastic, wanting to do this on a w212 wagon. Wonder if its the same, loved how you did it all without a lift and a jack.

[@samspace81]

You did a really good job with your tutorial video. Did you notice improvement? Any vibrations eliminated?

[@lorenreyes2855]

Great Video! Thank you for sharing this great information and knowledge! 😉👍👍👍👍👍

[@weberbike7796]

Great video, very well explained it and recorded it. You rocks 🤘🏻😎

[@juliofaena]

Thank u so much for the detailed video, I think I'll have to do the same to my w211.

[@petescarport]

Thank you for this. I'm doing almost same type of job and doing video as well. Mine is on my 1991 500sl I picked up and owner said it was a wheel bearing. I knew once I got on road it was a driveshaft issue. Now I'm under car and got off the exhaust and working on removing the driveshaft today.

[@petescarport]

@Jeffrey Manzil went great. I did a video. Still have car and runs great.

[@petescarport]

@Jeffrey Manzil I made a two-part video here is the first part kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKDRloStd6-KpZI

[@alejandror7642]

AWESOME video Sr. I'm about to do the same because my 2010 E350 is vibrating when I drive and I raised it up and noticed the bearing does not look like is sitting straight. The only thing with your video it seems, it's that nobody knows why you changed this and if it made any difference.

[@perttukilpelainen4010]

Good video. Nice you had patience to film at same time. My opinion is: that work sucks when using home tools.

[@colinaglae2605]

Nice one. Clear educational video !!

[@PaulPhillipsFix]

Hello. I've got two W210's One is vibrating with a slight buzz that's felt on the shifter. I'm thinking center bearing is beginning to fail. Did you get this buzz in the beginning of your failure?

[@PARDS2]

SO VERY VERY WELL DONE!!!!!

[@Elchullaquiteno1]

Hello my rear differential is leaking from where the drive shaft goes what part will i need ??

[@ps2cho]

Just did the job myself -- you do NOT need to remove the entire exhaust, OR the entire driveshaft. Remove the rear flex disc bolts, pry it out of the axle. Remove all 4 rear exhaust donuts, (support RIGHT side exhaust muffler) lower it until driveshaft comes out. Pull out to rear of car. Just make sure to mark the front and rear sections to go back in the same way. Also when installing the new bearing, the tool he mentions is good - but use the OLD bearing on top of the new one so that the metal doesn't damage the new bearing when you knock it on - the old bearing wont get driven on....you dont care about the old one its going in the trash!

[@Creek_Hunter]

Good point, but how do you take the second bearing out, after they're both in?

[@ps2cho]

@@Creek_Hunter The old bearing doesn't press in at all, the new bearing uses all the space on the driveshaft. Nothing to worry about!

[@Creek_Hunter]

@@ps2cho Got it, thanks!

[@JB-zb9zo]

@@ps2cho getting ready to do this job, I need a clarification on your method. I just disconnect the driveshaft from the flex disk and that will give enough play to pull the drive shaft downward correct? In other words the flex disc stays on the differential, correct?

[@ps2cho]

@@JB-zb9zo correct yes. Leave the flex disk on the rear differential (assuming its in good condition). You'll need to put the car in neutral to allow you to spin the driveshaft of course

[@zeerekgman945]

Thank you for stating all torque values

[@thachquach7129]

i need replaced rubber coupling boot on driveshaft only so which side i will remove front or rear shaft on my s430 2000

[@ChristopherDeRosa]

What size torx did you use to remove the drive shaft bolts?

[@johnhall4427]

Nice vids. Appreciate what you do. Could have saved yourself allot of work and sweat though. Each flex disc has 8 bolts. 16 bolts total that require lock tite and torqueing. No need to remove flex discs! Just remove only the 4 bolts at each end of driveshaft. Leave both flex discs in place attached to their flanges. Front part of driveshaft will colapse and slide backwards inside the back part of driveshaft to aid in removal. Unless of course you are replacing the flex discs also. But i thought i heard you say yours were already replaced prior.

[@Clinky1]

Wouldn't it make sense to replace the U-joint as well while you have everything apart?

[@karroome]

curious to know why did you remove the trans crossmember, seems doable without removing it. Thanks for the great vid...

[@metalwaves4154]

Busted knuckle garage great job man

[@rvega82]

Great video. Where did you get the rubber boot cover for the splines? I have an 04 E500 and can't seem to find it.

[@tomppamaso8761]

Nice video! Very nice! I have the same problem on my own..

[@farerse]

did you check the universal joints while you were at it? if they are bad the drive shaft have to come down again .. hope not lol

[@robertopeixinho3584]

why do you replace your car's bearing? in my car I feel a little vibration in the rear and I don't know what's going on, thank you

[@bobgodd]

Mr. D. Ologist, question for you. Did you purchase that rubber piece that sits in the support bracket separately, or did you have to purchase the whole bracket?

[@AlexE55Jr]

What were the dimensions of the plywood you used?

[@morganjones3980]

You can also use a hot plate and heat the bearing

[@garethbird4259]

Are the flex discs the same front and rear?

[@00700556]

One part her doesn’t mention that I ended up having buy the same part again was that when you put the driveshaft bearing into the sleeve, you need to have grease on the bearing so it can slide in there easier.

[@2Mont106]

I have what could very well be the same issue but how did you determine that was the problem??? It sounds like a bearing (Rear Passenger Wheel bearing) but when i create that balance between acceleration and deceleration i create a bit of a sweet spot where the grinding settles and smooths out. Idk but it sounds like it could be the driveshaft. Any feed back on this would help...also the 2010 E550 has 204,320 miles on it but it still runs like a champ. Thank you.

[@jaymase3735]

Meticulous. Excellent job. Mine is only at 110,000, so I still have a couple years, but was a great video to help me forecast a strategy in the future. I like doing repairs in localized bunches, instead of just doing 1 thing at a time. You seemed to do just that in this video.

[@dansikora4743]

Would this be the same on a 2011 c 300 sport sedan?

[@donschlegel1972]

What year is this car .I have a 2003 320E. Little vibration low speed .just wondering if this could be the problem 202777.klm on the car . Thanks

[@bishopbajo8134]

is that also a good tutorial for a 1999?

[@specvkid720]

I know this is old.. is this the same for a 2003 e320 base sedan. I know the exhaust is different but everything else is the same right...

[@gaborvona2085]

Hi do you have part number for dust cap, or any info where can i get it?

[@agushendro4743]

Newbie question, when you do driveshaft job, did you put shift in P or N, to get access to those bolt on flex disc?

[@torolekristoffersen2591]

so many coments, so do not know if it has been askes before, did the driveshaft slide right out when you took it apart? is it then possible just to take out the rear and separate it on the car with the front end attached to the gearbox?

[@istaff124]

I like your specials mercedes tools,

[@kevinneilson7052]

Great vid! I'm doing this now and thought I could pull just half the shaft but nope. I'm not having fun lol.

[@connorwalsh2496]

Thanks again for all

[@tainchains]

Hi long did it take? This procedure.

[@Daiiisssy]

Did it fix the issue?

[@juliandodwell8213]

From France.I ve a 2.7litre cdi clk 2002. Mercedes here said the rubber boot was out of production. Is it the same piece for all models and do you have parts number.looks identical.

[@miltonperez7660]

Thanks you so much for share this videos

[@nme700]

Hi. Perhaps in your next video, could you comment on what feels different in your car now with two new flex discs and a new driveshaft bearing? Maybe explain what behavior the car had before replacement and after?

[@drywaller12345]

Very good video & sound quality. Have you ever done work on a W126 ? Thank you..

[@jackbnmbl7]

You did this whole job with the car on jack stands? Wow.

[@sotocflorin1993]

I think my Mercrdes E280 cdi with 191.000 ml have the same problem.When i push the gas hard i feel some shaking from the rear.That bearing i will check very soon.Thanks for the video.

[@samspace81]

Did you address it? Sounds like the problem

[@tonylopez1610]

I have a really bad knock under the armrest. Would this be the fix?

[@routier38110]

Good vidéo 👍

[@rogerpomerleau5651]

Great Job.

[@JayOnzs03]

Thank you for this

[@samegutten]

Isnt it possible to just take down the rear end of the axle and let the front still be mounted on its flex?

[@b40m60]

+1 on that question. if anybody knows....

[@nikod3mr]

@@b40m60 Yes, i have done it like that, started from removing axel that connects to differential

[@mohdnasirsalleh5056]

Good job

[@laurastomper7468]

Where is You lacation ?

[@davelassell]

Was your center bearing making noise? I have a "WW2 plane" sound coming from what seems like directly under the rear seats. I'm hoping it's a center bearing problem.

[@samspace81]

did you figure it out?

[@keertan_pardhana4545]

Would do the UJ as well, while I have the whole thing out

[@mustaphasahara3645]

if you dont put the mark before separete the driveshaft .what is the solution ?

[@JB-zb9zo]

2 Years late, but then you take it to a driveshaft shop to get it balanced.

[@kylestone9490]

Hi, I am towing a 2007 S550 across country in 3 days. Penske says the car is too big for a carrier and I can only use a dolly. I have been told that in order to use the dolly I need to remove the drive shaft. Am I going to have to do all of this, or is there an easier way to disconnect it ?

[@quentinmuehlich1539]

Kyle Stone Hi Kyle, how did your move go with towing your vehicle? I have a w220 as well and am in the same predicament with Penske and using a tow dolly cross country. I am wondering if you had to remove the entire exhaust system and drive shaft like in this video.

[@TheQuicklearner75]

What did both of you do to tow it?

[@ImpulseDETT]

you need put the grease before set the bearing.

[@yolo-cars]

Thank you for this video! Folks, I'm curious, what happens if you accidentally re-install the drive shaft differently compared to its original position related to transmission, differential or even re-install two pieces of the drive shaft differently? Is there a procedure to stabilize the system once everything is installed or you WILL have to re-install it again? Thanks!

[@r.weaver3769]

It could create a vibration in the drivetrain, throwing the balance of the shaft off would create a harmonic vibration which would damage seals and parts. the only two things I would have done is replaced the U-Joint and while apart used a press to press bearing on rather than beat it on. But that's just me.

[@yolo-cars]

@@r.weaver3769 Thank you! I just wonder what should be done in case you are purchasing a used disassembled drive shaft? I mean in that case it may be impossible to install it the same way as it was installed on the original car.

[@joshgray2024]

More angleeee haha good job

[@ZJlover1994]

How do you know when it’s bad and needs replacement?

[@00700556]

You’ll hear a “clunk clunk” when taking off from a stop.

[@fecklarjenkins2549]

Very nice can’t wait to do mine 79 300cd fixing to roll over 600k miles

[@laurastomper7468]

WOW You very good men!:) Please help mi Replacement in my Mercedes :)

[@bimbi1946]

GreT job.

[@kits111]

Just be careful when greasing bear handed as it can have small metal splinter that will go deep into your fingers

[@slamdiesel4576]

Hot plate bruh! Next time, use a hot plate, then you just drop it into place. "Don't take my word for it!" - Lavar Burton

[@NinjaCrisp50]

I wouldnt put a bearing in like that but if it works it works

[@jrmcdaniel9729]

My only crtitique on your video is to next time sit your camera down so that we can see how you took some of the things apart. The parts you edited thru were actually the parts I was hoping to see. Thanks.

[@MrPhotodoc]

Bearing going on crooked. Stops suddenly, then comes back and it's on straight. Hmmm.

[@sbtennessee]

Heat he bearing up and it will slide right on and no need to hammer.

[@jadesluv]

No don't heat up, have rubber dust shield on the bearing, you don't want to injure. Would make it easier to hammer by just screwing a cap on the pipe

[@danieljanca]

@@jadesluv How about chilling the shaft instead?

[@gerardbooth40]

Lovely job but please buy a tripod!

[@W211-Owner]

For the next time you can warm it up with a hair dryer for few seconds. Than it will slide very easy inside the Rubber.

[@thomashumber9762]

AND WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE BEARING? WAS IT NOISY AS HELL AND VIBRATING LIKE CRAZY AT ALL SPEEDS? ESPECIALLY OVER 60 MPH?

[@davidfierro3650]

Did you ever solve the vibration issues? What did you change over?

[@beautifulbystander1788a]

If you like Mercedes you would really like Toyota. They break even less and are even easier to fix.

[@cristianclaudiu8769]

Don't want to criticise you but all that markings u done just have no sense, yeah the factory markings at the middle of the propshaft where the bearing is those have to be lined up but the other marks u did is just useless in my opinion as they already come balanced and my question is what kind of markings u do when u replace the shaft with new one? 🤣🤣

[@Powolny]

"Driveshaft removal" video without actual driveshaft removal. Dude!