CLK 200 Rear Drive Shafts Failure

[davecut]

I have now had to replace both rear drive shafts on my 7 year old (60,000 mile) CLK 200. This is due to the failure of the ABS rings. It's cost me £2000!

Mercedes say that the corrosion found on the component is not uncommon given the age and mileage of my vehicle. They are prepared to do nothing to help me with the cost of the repairs. Frankly I think this is extremely poor as components like that should not fail in such a short space of time. I believe there is a reliability issue here which Mercedes are not admitting to.

 

[star]

I have now had to replace both rear drive shafts on my 7 year old (60,000 mile) CLK 200. This is due to the failure of the ABS rings. It's cost me £2000!

Mercedes say that the corrosion found on the component is not uncommon given the age and mileage of my vehicle. They are prepared to do nothing to help me with the cost of the repairs. Frankly I think this is extremely poor as components like that should not fail in such a short space of time. I believe there is a reliability issue here which Mercedes are not admitting to.

new one to me, do you live by the coast??

 

[kth286]

davecut

I hope you have kept the old driveshafts and taken them to an independent for a second opinion.

If "star" has not heard about it then I would suspect you MAY have been taken in.

 

[tjoneill@btconnect.com]

hi, this is a very common problem on the Eclass 210 chassis, we have sucssesfully repair lots of them rather than replace

 

[davecut]

Star,

I live about 10 miles from the coast but rarely go there. And even if I did I wouldn't expect the ABS rings to corrode through and disintegrate is such a short space of time. Clearly there is a problem with them that Mercedes are not owning up to.

 

[davecut]

David,

Thanks for the note. The rings totally split. I have photos of one of them if you're interested.

 

[davecut]

TJ,

Do you weld them back together because mine have split. I'll email you the photos.

 

[davecut]

The latest letter I have from the Mercedes Customer Support Technical Manager says the part failed due to “general wear and tear” which is clearly rubbish! Any comments gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[orangevanman]

new rings are available from mercedes. common problem . i just got 2 for my clk. just over ten quid for the pair from local merc dealer.

 

[star]

new rings are available from mercedes. common problem . i just got 2 for my clk. just over ten quid for the pair from local merc dealer.

9 year old thread, reluctor rings ARE available now on certain models.

 

[Submariner1]

new rings are available from mercedes. common problem . i just got 2 for my clk. just over ten quid for the pair from local merc dealer.

Yep you can get them from my main dealer for a CL500 C216 # A2303570182 from memory think they were £12?? So a hell of lot better than an axle!
Luckily mine were OK not corroded when they replaced my flange hub.
Note: MB parts call them "Impulse" Rings, which I assume are the ABS reluctor rings.