Diff clonk SL350

[Black Merc]

New on here and looking forward to your experienced advices.I have a 2008 SL350 and when you pull away a noise from the rear goes clonk.Sometimes on change up to second you can hear it.Mercedes tell me a new Diff is £2300 plus fitting so with Vat around £4k.Given the value of the car it makes more sense to replace with a second hand one.Is ebay the only resource for this? Thanks all

 

[alexanderfoti]

I would check the subframe mounts, and diff mounts and engine/gearbox mounts before ruling the diff as a the source of the fault.

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome

 

[Black Merc]

I would check the subframe mounts, and diff mounts and engine/gearbox mounts before ruling the diff as a the source of the fault.

Many thanks for your comments

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

Had clunk which when accelerating quickly. I thought diff. Turned out to be engine mounts.

 

[brandwooddixon]

If on a straight and level road you can cause the car to steer right and left by gentle use of the accelerator (applying power and removing it) the that can indicate rear subframe bush wear.
Also with a differential I'd expect excessive whine, especially on overrun.
Other points, if the clonk is when you engage gear and stationary, it could also be worn prop shaft UJs.

 

[NJS5]

Hello & Welcome Black Merc

I note you wrote "Mercedes tell me". Have you had an opinion from a decent independent Mercedes specialist ?

If not I would recommend that you do. I see you haven't filled in your location in your profile; if you want a recommendation(s) for good "indies" let us know where you are & we will be able to help.

Good luck - keep us posted.

NJSS

 

[Black Merc]

Hello & Welcome Black Merc

I note you wrote "Mercedes tell me". Have you had an opinion from a decent independent Mercedes specialist ?

If not I would recommend that you do. I see you haven't filled in your location in your profile; if you want a recommendation(s) for good "indies" let us know where you are & we will be able to help.

Good luck - keep us posted.

NJSS

Many thanks. I’m in Surrey and do have a decent indie guy called Merchanic who comes to home to fettle my car although I have had the car serviced by South west Mercedes and they were the ones who quoted for replacing the diff

 

[Black Merc]

If on a straight and level road you can cause the car to steer right and left by gentle use of the accelerator (applying power and removing it) the that can indicate rear subframe bush wear.
Also with a differential I'd expect excessive whine, especially on overrun.
Other points, if the clonk is when you engage gear and stationary, it could also be worn prop shaft UJs.

Thanks a lot for your views.There’s no whine evident and no vibration from the drivetrain which I would expect from problems with dodgy UJs but definitely worth checking these.Frustrating not finding the cause other than assuming it’s the diff.An experienced merc guy should be able to diagnose so that’s the next stage

 

[NJS5]

If you want a second opinion, and I would have thought it essential, then I can recommend Prestige Car Service:-

Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

www.prestigecarservice.co.uk

they really are excellent & look after a number of SLs

 

[Wighty]

New on here and looking forward to your experienced advices.I have a 2008 SL350 and when you pull away a noise from the rear goes clonk.Sometimes on change up to second you can hear it.Mercedes tell me a new Diff is £2300 plus fitting so with Vat around £4k.Given the value of the car it makes more sense to replace with a second hand one.Is ebay the only resource for this? Thanks all

What mileage is the car on buddy ?

 

[Black Merc]

What mileage is the car on buddy ?

£75k

 

[Black Merc]

If you want a second opinion, and I would have thought it essential, then I can recommend Prestige Car Service:-

Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

www.prestigecarservice.co.uk

they really are excellent & look after a number of SLs

Thank you