Converting 4Matic Mercedes to Rear Wheel Drive

Recently we got a member asking if a 4Matic Mercedes-Benz can be converted to rear-wheel drive.

First, why would anyone want to do this?

The reason is that a Mercedes-Benz owner often has bad CV joints or differential on the front. Because those repairs range from $1500-$5000, one wonders if you can convert an all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz into a rear-wheel drive.

Converting a Mercedes-Benz from 4Matic to RWD is not as simple as removing the front propeller shaft. Doing just this is not enough. Putting your Mercedes-Benz in the drive will send all the torque to the removed propeller shaft. The output flange at the transfer case will spin constantly, and the vehicle will not move.

To convert a Mercedes 4Matic to a rear-drive, you must remove the front propeller shaft from the transfer case to the front differential. To convert a 4Matic to RWD, you must also remove the transfer case. Next, connect the output shaft from the transmission directly to the rear differential.