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Desert Fox
Veteran
Date registered: May 2013
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Vehicle(s): G500 2002
Posts: 191
| Transfer Case
Hello,
I have a 2002 G Wagon, 132k miles, 2 inch lift. I've had an intermittent but quite frequent clicking sound from underneath the vehicle when the gas pedal is depressed.
Dealer posits it is coming from the transfer case. Dealer doesn't work on transfer case--only replaces. Replacement is about $6k.
Mechanic said failure is unlikely and no rush to replace; however, the clicking is annoying.
I read about some other Mercedes models with this issue and the culprit was the chain inside the transfer case having stretched over time. Some mechanics apparently have been willing/able to open up the transfer case, replace the chain and put it all back together, again, which costs less than replacing the entire transfer case.
Anyone have any experience or thoughts with this type of situation?
All input welcome.
Thank you. |
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J.R.
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Vehicle(s): 00 G500, 09 911 4S, 11 Cayenne S, 86 280GE (sold)
Posts: 828
| Re: Transfer Case
how many miles do you have on the 2" lift?
Other possibilities before I would condemn the transfer case:
- U-joints get worn in to a pattern and will last a long time when lubricated. The two inch lift changed the articulation angle, which changed how the U-joints were wearing. It might be something as simple as the u-joints needing to be replaced.
- The drive shaft slip joints could be over serviced. The slip joints need to be able to move in both directions. If the slip joints are over serviced, then it can no long compress. So the dynamin movement it is trying to absorb has to be handles by the U-joints, differentials and the transfer case. If it were me, I would simply unscrew the grease nipple, run a couple of wraps of duck tape around the hole and shaft and drive it for a while. If it is over serviced you will find more than a spot of grease under the tape.
- the output shaft from the tranny to the transfer case maybe worn out. Being that it has two CV joints in it, it will exhibit the familiar clicking noise that the CV-joints in the front diff will have when failing. |
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Rich
Regular
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Elkins Park, PA USA
Vehicle(s): 1985 280GE cabrio
Posts: 75
| Re: Transfer Case
"The output shaft from the tranny to the transfer case" is my guess. I had the clicking noise in my '05 and that was the culprit. |
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GwagenLover
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Winston Salem, NC USA 27104
Vehicle(s): 2016 G550 & 2016 GLE350
Posts: 473
| Re: Transfer Case
So that you are aware, that front shaft drives an oil pump in the transfer case.
Do not remove it and drive the G. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| RE: Transfer Case
Desert Fox - 8/17/2023 12:10 PM
Hello,
I read about some other Mercedes models with this issue and the culprit was the chain inside the transfer case having stretched over time. Some mechanics apparently have been willing/able to open up the transfer case, replace the chain and put it all back together, again, which costs less than replacing the entire transfer case.
I think the ML and GL have a chain inside. The 463 is all gears.
I would expect that the clicking is from the intermediate shaft CV joint. These last 85 K miles or so. I have 70K on my current shaft. The CV joints can be replaced, but more frequently, the entire shaft is replaced.
I replaced mine at 135K miles due to clicking and also vibration.
Eric |
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Desert Fox
Veteran
Date registered: May 2013
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Vehicle(s): G500 2002
Posts: 191
| Re: Transfer Case
Thanks for your input, everyone! When next I bring it to the shop, I'll have them check these things out--especially the intermediate/propeller shaft!
Right now, My G is going through a "no click" phase. Go figure!
...
Up next is having the cargo door latch fixed for 2nd time in about 4 years! (Seems like every couple of years either a door latch or a window regulator fails. I have a door now that was fixed a couple years ago where it is no longer opening from the inside, which is what happened before until it stopped working altogether. Also have a window that is really slowing down. I have to choose my battles and spread them out over time!).  |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Transfer Case
Before doing anything, replace your homokinetic shaft / center drive shaft between the transmission and the transfer case.
Alternatively, you can order a CV joint boot kit (you need 2) and replace the old, worn out grease inside. Do inspect the CV joint and the balls for wear and damage. |
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Desert Fox
Veteran
Date registered: May 2013
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Vehicle(s): G500 2002
Posts: 191
| Re: Transfer Case
Thank you. |
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Desert Fox
Veteran
Date registered: May 2013
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Vehicle(s): G500 2002
Posts: 191
| Re: Transfer Case
Thanks, everyone! Replaced the homokinetic shaft/intermediate shaft/propellor shaft and voila! No more clicking and no more vibrations.
After 21 years, 140k miles and many fun offroad adventures, apparently it was time! I do think inadvertently launching off a dune at the Imperial Sand Dunes in California a while back was the final straw!
Now armed with a new intermediate shaft and a double-cardan driveshaft, the next adventure awaits at Joshua Tree National Park!
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