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vancouverChris
Member
Date registered: Feb 2019
Location: Vancouver
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 15
| Center Driveshaft
I was hanging out under my truck the other day and noticed one of the boots is cracked on the driveshaft between the transfer case and the transmission. Im hoping I caught this early enough to not have damage to the bearings as I have no vibrations when driving, no vertical movement, and very slight horizontal movement (I believe is normal play), also I didn't see the crack a few months ago. Ive read through a lot of the postings on this topic but still have a few questions.
Im hoping to get the boot rebuild kit (A4634100028), mark all positions of the clamps and cv joints, clean everything, then repack the bearings with grease. Is this method accurate enough for balancing? I understand it needs to be balanced at 5000rpm, at that speed I imagine the weight of one of the clamps being slightly off or even a slight difference in the mold of the boot will throw off the balance. Also do I need a bearing grease packer or can this be done by hand?
I know this is probably too good to be true but I found a brand new complete driveshaft for sale on eBay for $155 usd. Thoughts? This would be the easiest option but am concerned due to my lack ok knowledge.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/173816041575 |
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AGuess
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Holly Springs NC
Vehicle(s): 93 500GE, 93 500GE, 2002 G500
Posts: 717
| Re: Center Driveshaft
Hi VancouverChris,
Around three years ago, I bought the rebuild kit and rebuilt the short shaft on one of my 93 500GE's. I did not have it balanced and have never had any problem or vibration from it. It was a easy rebuild. I just marked everything and put back as close to the marks as possible.
With that in mind and having never purchased the shaft offered on ebay, I would buy the shaft on ebay first. They appear to offer a 14 day return (you might have to pay freight). Which ever way you go, buy all new bolts and locking nuts (just my recommendation). Th e MB classic center or a online MB site might offer them cheaper than your local dealer
The cost of this new short shaft might be close to the cost of the rebuild kit, I have not priced it.
In any event, I wish you all the best.
AGuess |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: Center Driveshaft
get the ebay shaft!
I found that rebuilding buys you some time - but eventually, you will need a new shaft
https://carlosnpainter.smugmug.com/Cars/G500-center-drive-shaft/
https://carlosnpainter.smugmug.com/Cars/New-center-drive-shaft-G500/ |
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vancouverChris
Member
Date registered: Feb 2019
Location: Vancouver
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 15
| RE: Center Driveshaft
I’ve ordered the eBay driveshaft. Hopefully everything works out well with it.
Should I use loctite on the bolts going through the cv? |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Center Driveshaft
vancouverChris - 11/28/2019 3:49 AM
I’ve ordered the eBay driveshaft. Hopefully everything works out well with it.
Should I use loctite on the bolts going through the cv?
I'm pretty sure that those bolts are a one time use only. Loctite should not be needed.
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G4Garret
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oak Ridge - Knoxville - Windrock Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500, U1100, SLK350, LR 101, WC-63 6x6
Posts: 243
| RE: Center Driveshaft
How long do these last? I've never touched mine, and it's over 250,000 miles, but still seems fine, other than I notice a little overall slop in the drive train, which I don't know where it's coming from.
Garret |
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vancouverChris
Member
Date registered: Feb 2019
Location: Vancouver
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 15
| RE: Center Driveshaft
Im not sure what the average life is. I think its more to do with age/condition of the rubber boots, and service intervals. My 2003 truck has 100,000km (62k miles) and one of my boots is split.
Im hoping this aftermarket driveshaft/cv's are good enough quality and won't leave me stranded in the bush. |
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G4Garret
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oak Ridge - Knoxville - Windrock Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500, U1100, SLK350, LR 101, WC-63 6x6
Posts: 243
| RE: Center Driveshaft
Thanks Chris. My truck did have a very slight driveline vibration at some speeds, back maybe 10 years ago when it had about 100K miles on it. But, the vibration went away some months later, and has never returned. I always suspected it was the center driveshaft, but don't really know. Anyway, I'm at 250K miles now, and it still seems fine, though I haven't checked the rubber boots in a year or so. I'm looking at that eBay shaft now.
Garret
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vancouverChris
Member
Date registered: Feb 2019
Location: Vancouver
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 15
| RE: Center Driveshaft
Hoping to install the centre driveshaft this weekend. How should I be positioning it when installing the new one as I don't have reference marks for balancing or lining it up? |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Center Driveshaft
It should be perfectly symmetrical. Just make sure that it seats correctly on the flanges on either end, and then tighten crosswise to evenly torque it on. The limited space makes this difficult.
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