Around 6 months ago, I was hearing a slight vibration type feeling under the car when accelerating only near the start of going up threw the revs, the feeling of driving the car on the rims with a flat tyre but underneath the middle of the car.

Didn't really pay much attention to it as it only occurred briefly occassionally when setting off, but driving around yesterday the vibration/noise has gotten significantly worse, the harder you accelerate the more the noise/vibration occurs, I now realise that this loud banging noise is coming from or near the gearbox, as the automatic shifter moves after each noise.

I've read that this may be a thing called clutch chatter, the car has done 151k miles and does need a service, any guidance before I take it into a garage? At this point i'm thinking it'll need a replacement clutch and it's going to be very expensive.

thanks

 

What kind of transmission do you have; From the factory every SRT6 has an automatic and would not have a clutch???
The driveline has a bearing just aft of the transmission. it can be replaced easily enough if you have room under the car to work. It causes the symptoms you speak about.

 

Thanks for your reply, It is the standard Automatic gearbox, I thought automatics have some form of clutches aswell?

So it could be a replacement driveline bearing then...

 

This is a picture of what you are looking for just aft of the transmission : Center bearing

 

thanks for the picture, I'll do some more research on here, sounds like it might not be such a huge issue as I imagined.

 

There are indeed clutch plates in an automatic transmission, but the way your first post was worded made me think of a standard manual shift transmission with a clutch. The clutch plates in a auto transmission will be in groups of 3 to five plates with a smooth steel plate between each clutch plate. I doubt that is your problem. I haven't read about such a problem in the Crossfire NAG1 trans So unless you transmission has been seriously abused or a total lack of maintenance I doubt you have a transmission "clutch chatter" problem. More than likely it is that central bearing and if that is the case you will want to replace the rubber boot that protects the splines on the driveshaft from dirt. The Mercedes part number is 202 411 04 97 which is a common replacement item and any Mercedes dealer with a decent parts/repair shop will have it in stock. You can pick it up for about $5.00 and it slips right on to the drive shaft when the central bearing is replaced.

 

Have you checked the transmission-to-body mount? This is also called the "rear motor mount". It is not unusual for this to sag to the point were you get odd vibrations (normally felt in the seat) in 30,000 miles or so.

 

No I haven't checked anything, I will take it to a garage and advise on your 2 suggestions which will hopefully minimize any inspection time. I'll update the answer when I know cheers.

 

Hi zip439,

I'm trying to buy this propshaft support bearing online, is there a special one for the srt6 or is it the same as the standard? And could I buy a mercedes one instead such as this one?

30926 FEBI BILSTEIN Propshaft bearing with ball bearing ▷ AUTODOC price and review

I'm in the UK, so looking at ones in europe only.

thanks

 

I think the Limited and SRT6 use the same center support. I would use the after market Bilstein because it comes as a single complete unit. I think the only way you get the parts from Mercedes is in two pieces. The ball bearing is MB part 0089814325 and the rubber support is 1704100081. It is easier to work with something like the Bilstein ( I bought VAICO VC V30-7374) than messing with two separate parts and it is less expensive than buying Mercedes.
Be sure you also get the rubber boot to cover the splines MB# 202-411-04-97.
You can change the center support without removing the exhaust piping. A little tight, but that's the way i do it.

 

Thanks Zip439 this is really useful info for me, I just ordered both, came to £65 delivered, I've been quoted 1 hour in labour costs to fit, hopefully this will resolve all

 

Needswings.com has the srt6 bearing support and i think is is the best one you can buy (one piece)