Rhythmic thumping with acceleration... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Blevinsax · #1 12-08-2007, 05:48 PM

I was driving Thursday evening and noticed a thumping that got faster as I speed up - noticed it again Friday morning, so I took it to my mechanic. Turns out I have a broken driveshaft - previously unseen damage from behind rear-ended about 3 weeks ago. I am keeping my fingers crossed that insurance will include it in damages from the accident.

My mechanic feels that if he writes an estimate for the repairs with *new* parts, the insurance co. will declare it a total loss because it will be a very expensive repair. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.

Any advice?

toomany MBZ · #2 12-08-2007, 06:09 PM

If, and that's a BIG if, your insurance will accept the damage was part of the accident, get an estimate, with new and used parts. A used part will need to be balanced, so there is extra $ involved.
If they total it due to too high of a repair cost, well, my insurance company anyway, will pay you a percentage of what they consider it to be worth, and cover you for liability only, or the full price, and they pick it up, and maybe fix, and sell to a third world country.
Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

Blevinsax · #3 12-08-2007, 06:15 PM

If they declare it a total loss, what does that mean for the future insurability or the car? Since the buy-back cost would be very low, I would like to buy it back then have the repairs done and continue driving it - but that might change if they will no longer insure the car.
Any thoughts?

#4 12-08-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blevinsax

If they declare it a total loss, what does that mean for the future insurability or the car? Since the buy-back cost would be very low, I would like to buy it back then have the repairs done and continue driving it - but that might change if they will no longer insure the car.
Any thoughts?

I would probably just forget the insurance company and fix it myself.

Blevinsax · #5 12-08-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I would probably just forget the insurance company and fix it myself.

That would be nice, but.... I'm not a mechanic and would not know where to start. I have a good mechanic who I trust, but I just want to make this work in the best manner possible.

I am with GEICO - how do they stack up in these situations?

I'd rather not end up with simply liability coverage - does anyone have experience in something like this?

#6 12-08-2007, 07:01 PM

How much cash are we talking about to replace a driveshaft?

toomany MBZ · #7 12-08-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blevinsax

I'd rather not end up with simply liability coverage - does anyone have experience in something like this?

Your options are limited, and right now you can't drive it.
Try GEICO, (I have no experience with them) see what they say, but, I imagine they will total, as any accident major enough to break the drive shaft...
You would have to check around for costs.

toomany MBZ · #8 12-08-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blevinsax

If they declare it a total loss, what does that mean for the future insurability or the car? Since the buy-back cost would be very low, I would like to buy it back then have the repairs done and continue driving it - but that might change if they will no longer insure the car.
Any thoughts?

MY insurance company paid me, I think 85% of their totaled price, and insured for liability only thereafter.

#9 12-08-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

MY insurance company paid me, I think 85% of their totaled price, and insured for liability only thereafter.

Did you end up with a "salvage" title?

toomany MBZ · #10 12-08-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Did you end up with a "salvage" title?

No, not any change in the title.

mobetta · #11 12-08-2007, 09:08 PM

besides- if you got rear-ended, your insurance company wont be picking up the tab, anyways- unless the other party did not have Insurance.

but, I'd say that a used driveshaft + balance should be well under a grand. I got seven feet of 2 pice driveshaft totally rebuilt, new tube and 1 of 4 yokes new for $430 last summer. not a benz, but still. try calling a few driveshaft specialists.

Blevinsax · #12 12-08-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

besides- if you got rear-ended, your insurance company wont be picking up the tab, anyways- unless the other party did not have insurance.

Ironically, the other driver was also insured by GEICO. This is my first claim ever in 18 years of driving insured with GEICO.

Blevinsax · #13 12-08-2007, 09:59 PM

Confirmation of the source of the problem...

It would probably be wise to ask some of you folks if this broken driveshaft diagnosis sounds correct...

The car was driving fine; no noticeable change in driving behavior at all; just a *thunk* sound in the rear driver's side that's speed was directly relative to acceleration. As I started from a stop, it was slow, loud, and heavy (I could feel it in the seat) and as I accelerated the sound picked up pace, got softer, and became less obvious. When I turned a right turn and weight shifted to the left side of the car, it was more noticeable than a left turn or centered driving.

Does this sound like an accurate diagnosis?