Reasons for Chassis Flex Disc Failure in Mercedes
Posted on | 6 Sep 2018 By Anita Gaal
Mercedes are beautiful luxury cars. This is something that can be said whether it is a newer or older model. They are reliable cars that will last a very long time and will keep their value as time goes on. Of course, the ability to keep your Mercedes reliable requires staying up to date with maintenance and repairs. As your Mercedes gets older, listen for new and uncommon noises and vibrations, as these will be your car trying to tell you if there is something wrong. A common problem that can arise in older Mercedes that have automatic transmissions is the failure of the chassis flex disc.
What is a Chassis Flex Disc?
The chassis flex discs are small parts that will play a very large role in making sure your Mercedes continues to run properly. The flex discs help ensure that the overall performance of your car stays up to the quality it should be. The flex discs join the driveshaft, transmission, and differential together so that power can be sent to the wheels. You can think of the flex discs being in place so they can tell the car to go.
The chassis flex discs are made of rubber so due to the outside elements, they are eventually going to have some wear and tear. They take a good amount of the pressure that the suspension produces when you are driving your Mercedes on uneven roads. Any type of bump or hole can wear down the flex discs. They will also be worn down in extreme heat and also extreme cold. Going from one extreme to the other quickly will have a negative effect on the chassis flex discs as well.
Reasons for Chassis Flex Disc Failure
If your Mercedes is experiencing chassis flex disc failure, this can be very dangerous for both the driver and the passenger. It is important to know what signs to look for so you will be able to take it into a Euro Automotive specialist if and when you notice them.
Car Vibrations
As your Mercedes starts to get older and the parts begin to slowly deteriorate, vibrations are unfortunately going to happen one way or another. If one of the pieces that the flex discs are connected to is wearing down, then the car will begin to vibrate unnaturally. When the transmission and/or the driveshaft become damaged, this will in turn damage the flex discs. This is why the vibrations will occur because the flex discs become cracked or damaged. The vibrations will mainly occur when the car is accelerating and decelerating. This is when the vibrations will be the loudest and most noticable.
Trouble Shifting Gears
A Mercedes with an automatic transmission can experience trouble when shifting into reverse or into drive. It may feel like you are fighting with your Mercedes to get it to shift into one of these gears. The chassis flex discs allow for smooth transitions and if they are damaged, the transitions will be rough and unnatural. Due to the any damage the flex discs may have, the parts connected to it will be affected as well. A damaged flex disc can lead to trouble with the driveshaft, which will then lead to the difficulty in shifting.
Time to Take Your Mercedes In
Located in Dallas, TX, Euro Automotive has been in operation for 18 years and is the best shop to take your Mercedes to if you suspect there may be chassis flex disc failure. All of our technicians have the certifications necessary to work on your Mercedes and provide it with the best care.
When you bring in your Mercedes, we will run a complete diagnostic to pinpoint where the exact problem is located. Once we discover that a flex disc needs to be repaired, our service technicians will order an original equipment manufactured part to ensure that the new piece lasts for a very long time. The flex disc that is causing the problem will be replaced and the technicians will also take the time to check the other pieces that connect to it to make sure that there are no additional problems. If you are in the surrounding areas, including Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, Euro Automotive can be easily accessed and will always take proper care of your Mercedes.
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* Mercedes Logo image credit goes to: franz12.