Single clunk from the rear drive shaft when moving off or changing direction (smart and Mercedes-Benz)

Engine / equipment

smart fortwo and forfour 453 and Mercedes-Benz cars with rear drive shafts

Period mentioned

2014 onwards

Symptoms

A single sharp clunk at a rear wheel when moving off or switching from reverse to forward (or the other way round); it makes no noise while driving.

Possible cause described

Micro-movement or a cracked micro-weld between the wheel bearing inner race and the drive shaft's outer joint housing. Mercedes-Benz technical note LI35.30-P-058566 fixes it by coating that contact surface with Molykote paint.

Check for the garage

Tell the garage it is a single clunk when changing direction; the technical note says to test by loosening the drive shaft nut by one turn (it is always replaced with a new one).

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database