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Mercedes Benz Cl550 Drive Shaft End Bushings

Mercedes Benz Cl550 Drive shaft end bushings

Drive shaft end bushings for your Mercedes Benz Cl550 start at low prices. We stock multiple options from top OE-quality brands. These small rubber or polyurethane sleeves cushion the drive shaft where it meets the differential or transmission yoke, absorbing vibration and maintaining alignment. When they wear out, driveline vibration, clunking, and accelerated U-joint wear follow quickly.

Signs your Mercedes Benz Cl550 needs new drive shaft end bushings

  • Noticeable vibration felt through the floor or seat that increases with vehicle speed
  • Clunking or thudding noise during acceleration, deceleration, or when shifting from park into drive or reverse
  • Visible cracking, tearing, or complete collapse of the rubber bushing material on inspection
  • Excessive play or slop when the drive shaft is moved by hand with the vehicle safely raised
  • Premature U-joint failure or unusual wear patterns on adjacent U-joint bearing caps
  • Subtle but persistent drivetrain shudder on light throttle at highway speeds that disappears under hard acceleration

Which drive shaft end bushing should you buy for your Mercedes Benz Cl550?

The main choice comes down to material and intended use. OE-style rubber bushings restore factory ride quality, while polyurethane upgrades offer longer service life at the cost of slightly more NVH. You also need to match the bushing to the correct shaft end — center support, slip yoke, or differential end — because dimensions differ.

OE Rubber Replacement
Best for
Daily drivers seeking factory-correct feel
What you get
Matched durometer to original spec, quiet operation, easiest installation
Polyurethane Upgrade
Best for
High-mileage vehicles or those with previous bushing failures
What you get
Greater wear resistance, tighter driveline feel, longer service interval than rubber
Slip Yoke End Bushing
Best for
Vehicles with two-piece drive shafts or transfer case slip yoke
What you get
Precise fit for the transmission or transfer case output end, prevents shaft oscillation
Differential End Bushing
Best for
Vehicles where vibration originates at the rear axle pinion
What you get
Designed for the higher rotational stress at the differential input, often thicker wall construction

Replacing drive shaft end bushings on a Mercedes Benz Cl550

Moderate⏱ 1–2 hoursFloor jack and jack standsSocket set and breaker barBushing driver or suitable socket for pressingRubber malletPenetrating oil

Raise and support the vehicle safely, mark the drive shaft orientation before removal to preserve balance, and unbolt the shaft at the affected end. Press or drive the old bushing out using a bushing driver or matched socket, clean the bore thoroughly, then press the new bushing in until fully seated. Reinstall the shaft aligned to your reference marks and torque all fasteners to specification before lowering the vehicle and road testing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace drive shaft end bushings on a Mercedes Benz Cl550?
Parts start at low prices on AutoBuffy. A shop typically charges one to two hours of labor on top of the part cost, making total replacement expense vary widely by location and vehicle layout. DIY replacement using basic hand tools keeps the job close to the parts price alone.
How long do drive shaft end bushings last on a Mercedes Benz Cl550?
OE rubber bushings commonly last anywhere from 60,000 to over 100,000 miles depending on road conditions, towing frequency, and exposure to oil or road salt. Polyurethane versions generally outlast rubber but can transmit more vibration into the cabin if the material is too firm for the application.
Can I drive my Mercedes Benz Cl550 with a worn drive shaft end bushing?
Short-term driving is possible but not advisable. A failed bushing allows the drive shaft to move outside its designed arc, accelerating wear on U-joints, the center support bearing, and differential seals. Continued driving risks a more expensive repair or, in severe cases, a dropped drive shaft.
Are drive shaft end bushings the same as center support bushings on a Mercedes Benz Cl550?
No. Center support bushings sit in the carrier bearing that holds a two-piece shaft to the vehicle floor. Drive shaft end bushings are located at the shaft's connection points — the slip yoke end or differential flange end — and serve a different alignment and vibration-damping function. Both should be inspected at the same time.
Do I need to balance the drive shaft after replacing bushings on a Mercedes Benz Cl550?
Bushing replacement alone typically does not require rebalancing because the shaft itself is not removed from the vehicle in most cases. However, if the shaft was dropped completely, shows runout, or vibration persists after new bushings are installed, professional driveshaft balancing is the recommended next step.
How do I know which drive shaft end bushing fits my Mercedes Benz Cl550?
Match by year, make, model, drivetrain configuration, and shaft position — front, rear, slip yoke, or differential end. Use AutoBuffy's vehicle selector with your Mercedes Benz Cl550 details to filter the multiple available options. When in doubt, measure the outer diameter, inner diameter, and length of the original bushing before ordering.