Left-4-Dead Merc GLK Back on the Road

[AdamHarris]

Ok I have talked so much crap about these vehicles over the years after owning a 1995 E 320 Wagon years ago that just about broke me down on account of differed maintenance. Well, my Principle comes to me and says "you are getting a veh. donated, "I always expect it to be a 89 Caviler w/ no motor but this guy shows up. 2013 Mercedes GLK 350 4Matic with 327,000 miles and all that's wrong with it is a $30 front output shaft u-joint that's worn out (as u-joints will do). What?!? Wait, not so fast; That u-joint is located inside an output shaft housing that is unserviceable and doesn't even have a part number from MB. Official fix is to replace the Entire Transmission/ integrated T-case to the tune of 7k. Local repair shop wouldn't touch it, so the Dr., who put 250 miles a day on it for over 10 yrs., donated it to our school. Well, I love a challenge, so long story short I researched and found a company that remanufactured these output shaft housings and for $748 (Trans service kit included) in parts this thang is running and driving perfectly. Turns out these are one of the most reliable MBs out there since they are, relatively speaking, simple. It looks and drives like its 3 yrs old! Might have to modify my opinion of this brand lol.

Sponsored

 

[FunInTheSun]

Ok I have talked so much crap about these vehicles over the years after owning a 1995 E 320 Wagon years ago that just about broke me down on account of differed maintenance. Well, my Principle comes to me and says "you are getting a veh. donated, "I always expect it to be a 89 Caviler w/ no motor but this guy shows up. 2013 Mercedes GLK 350 4Matic with 327,000 miles and all that's wrong with it is a $30 front output shaft u-joint that's worn out (as u-joints will do). What?!? Wait, not so fast; That u-joint is located inside an output shaft housing that is unserviceable and doesn't even have a part number from MB. Official fix is to replace the Entire Transmission/ integrated T-case to the tune of 7k. Local repair shop wouldn't touch it, so the Dr., who put 250 miles a day on it for over 10 yrs., donated it to our school. Well, I love a challenge, so long story short I researched and found a company that remanufactured these output shaft housings and for $748 (Trans service kit included) in parts this thang is running and driving perfectly. Turns out these are one of the most reliable MBs out there since they are, relatively speaking, simple. It looks and drives like its 3 yrs old! Might have to modify my opinion of this brand lol.

Great deal for you. It's a high-value vehicle, and really sweet to drive.

But the parts cost and the "unrepairable" subassemblies is why some people who like these don't keep them past expiration of the warranty period. Too bad more schools don't teach shop class any more.

 

[Rp930]

I have the diesel version for my wife’s car. It’s been bullet proof. Great car. Over 30 mpg average.

 

[AdamHarris]

I have the diesel version for my wife’s car. It’s been bullet proof. Great car. Over 30 mpg average.

Thats great to hear that its been good too. I've ran across some kinda horror stories on the diesels, but its the same stuff most modern diesels suffer from these days like some filters (?)clogging and going into limp mode etc.

 

[Rp930]

Thats great to hear that its been good too. I've ran across some kinda horror stories on the diesels, but its the same stuff most modern diesels suffer from these days like some filters (?)clogging and going into limp mode etc.

It was part of dieselgate so almost everything is under warranty for a while. And it runs better after the mod than before.

 

[AdamHarris]

Some general pics of the repair. On the red blanket is the output shaft housing with the u-joint inside.

 

[LaBalbe]

So now that it's functional again, what are you doing with it? I'm guessing that you're not going to let the kids tear into it, so does the school sell it as a fundraiser? Just curious.

 

[AdamHarris]

So now that it's functional again, what are you doing with it? I'm guessing that you're not going to let the kids tear into it, so does the school sell it as a fundraiser? Just curious.

Oh heck no lol. I contacted the original owner and purchased the vehicle from them myself once I had confirmed that it was a strong possibility I was going to be able to fix it. All my vehicles get used as teaching aids anyway and this one will be no different. It appears to have never even been painted on!

 

[Langwilliams]

Nice. My daughter bought a GLB last spring/early summer an has put 10K on it. She loved it at first an now she's like it's a POS an she'll probably get another explorer when time for a new car comes.

One of my twins has a new A class that's loaded. He leased it an I asked if he was going to buy it since the buyout will probably be less that it's worth an he said he's not getting another one an doesn't want to keep this one.

I saw a 500SL for 3500 today that the front air ride/hydraulic ride won't raise the car, the top won't go down an the pass seat needs something. If the price keeps dropping I might research the front suspension. I don't care about the top going down, I have a Harley for that.

I thought you might auction the cars off after repairing them to fund the program. That job looks tedious to me.

 

[9zero1790]

years back my dad had the little 190 mb. it was great never had any issues. then one day a quick lube oil place didnt put the correct oil filter on and didnt tighten the wrong filter enough. oil was leaking out of it of course. that same day we planned to drive from fort worth to elpaso. around Abilene we noticed the temp being up a few ticks. it was summer and texas heat so no big deal or worry. then engine sounding a little "different" about an hour later. this was when I20 west had a lot less places to stop so our choice was keep going or sit on the shoulder waiting in the summer sun. we pushed on into the next town. the 190 got a ride on a flat bed other than toasty engine great shape but the cost for the engine was more than dad wanted to spend on it. hopefully someone got some good use of it.

 

[rydfree]

Ok I have talked so much crap about these vehicles over the years after owning a 1995 E 320 Wagon years ago that just about broke me down on account of differed maintenance. Well, my Principle comes to me and says "you are getting a veh. donated, "I always expect it to be a 89 Caviler w/ no motor but this guy shows up. 2013 Mercedes GLK 350 4Matic with 327,000 miles and all that's wrong with it is a $30 front output shaft u-joint that's worn out (as u-joints will do). What?!? Wait, not so fast; That u-joint is located inside an output shaft housing that is unserviceable and doesn't even have a part number from MB. Official fix is to replace the Entire Transmission/ integrated T-case to the tune of 7k. Local repair shop wouldn't touch it, so the Dr., who put 250 miles a day on it for over 10 yrs., donated it to our school. Well, I love a challenge, so long story short I researched and found a company that remanufactured these output shaft housings and for $748 (Trans service kit included) in parts this thang is running and driving perfectly. Turns out these are one of the most reliable MBs out there since they are, relatively speaking, simple. It looks and drives like its 3 yrs old! Might have to modify my opinion of this brand lol.

That looks like the wife's 2011 GLK . We've had excellent service from it . She kept her 1999 ML350 12 years and it was still in great shape when we traded it in. I started it when I purchased her a used 1989 190E back in '96 . That little car spoiled her for anything else but a MB , but at least she keeps them long enough to certainly get our moneys worth from them

 

[AdamHarris]

Nice. My daughter bought a GLB last spring/early summer an has put 10K on it. She loved it at first an now she's like it's a POS an she'll probably get another explorer when time for a new car comes.

One of my twins has a new A class that's loaded. He leased it an I asked if he was going to buy it since the buyout will probably be less that it's worth an he said he's not getting another one an doesn't want to keep this one.

I saw a 500SL for 3500 today that the front air ride/hydraulic ride won't raise the car, the top won't go down an the pass seat needs something. If the price keeps dropping I might research the front suspension. I don't care about the top going down, I have a Harley for that.

I thought you might auction the cars off after repairing them to fund the program. That job looks tedious to me.

Yes there are several issues (power top hydraulic systems, Air bags, SBC Brake system, etc.) that just Will go bad and need repair sooner or later, on many of the somewhat older high-end models. Thats a good thing about this GLK, it's the same level of simplicity as my Ranger, heck the Ranger is arguably more complicated.

Yes we could sell it off, however my program does not suffer from lack of funding. Customers pay for All materials for projects, and the house retains all unused materials. If I need a piece of equipment all I really have to do, within reason, is go through the proper channels and once the Request goes across enough desks, I usually get it. Our School System, and community, is largely supportive of CTE (Career Technology Education).

Sponsored