Strangely 204 is the number for a C class. Part number superceded?

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That drive shaft fits many models. Proximity of catalytic converter cooks the seals. Grease slings out and the rest is just a matter of time.

 

My 2013 E350 4Matic had experienced some odd symptoms over the limited driving I'd done in the last few months, including lurching after small changes in throttle input, and finally last week, clanking after the car was put into gear and moved a few feet (like backing out of the garage). It reminded my of when my sister's 1976 Chevy Blazer's u-joints went bad.

It went off to my trusted non-dealer repair shop in Bellevue, WA, where a lift on the rack revealed a front drive shaft with a coupler that was about 1/16" of material away from being in two pieces. Seriously, it was about to blow.

My mechanic, who has been working on MBs since 1982, was pretty much disgusted. It took a few days to find an OEM part (and boy, they're expensive). 9 hours of labor later, and the car is SAFE to drive again.

Reading back through this forum, I've seen at least one other front driveshaft that let go at about 100K miles -- unfortunately that person's problem happened while underway, and the damage a flopping-around driveshaft can do is considerable.

If you have one of these vehicles, it may pay to check next time you're under it.

Here are a couple of pictures, if the Forum Gods will allow.

View attachment 2756466 View attachment 2756467

I have an E350 2013 4MATIC, the front drive shaft needs to be replaced, I purchased the part from a local car part store new for $500 but my mechanic complained that the part "would not fit", I came back to the store and asked for it to be exchanged for another one incase the first one was defective, but again the mechanic can not put it in, I went then to a local used part dealership and got an original used part, and again it did not fit according to the mechanic. I don't know what to do at this point? My mechanic says that the old piece fits in perfect, but all the 3 drive shafts that I purchased don't go in.......Anyone has any idea what can be happening?

 

Provide VIN I'll confirm correct part #.