Second Hand Mercedes-Benz SLK CV Joints

The SLK is indeed a rear-wheel-drive car, and rear-wheel-drive vehicles do not use CV joints at the front axle in the way front-wheel-drive cars do. However, the SLK does use CV joints as part of its rear driveshafts (half-shafts), which transfer drive from the differential to the rear wheels, so the part does genuinely exist on this model. If you were expecting a front-wheel-drive-style driveshaft arrangement, that is not what you need – you are looking for a rear driveshaft CV joint or half-shaft joint specifically.

The SLK R170 ran from 1996 to 2004, and the R171 replaced it from 2004 to 2011 – these are distinct generations with different rear subframe and driveshaft designs, so the CV joints are unlikely to interchange. You should treat R170 and R171 rear CV joints as generation-specific and not assume one will fit the other. Always confirm the exact part against your registration number with the breaker before buying.

Engine size can affect driveshaft and CV joint sizing on the SLK because larger, more powerful engines put greater torque through the drivetrain, and Mercedes may have used more robust half-shaft components on higher-output variants. An SLK 200 and an SLK 350 are not guaranteed to share the same rear CV joints, so you should not assume a part pulled from a smaller-engined car will suit a 350 or AMG-spec model. Give the breaker your registration so they can match the correct specification.

Trim level alone – Sport, SE, or any other designation – does not affect which rear CV joint you need, as these trims reflect interior and cosmetic features rather than drivetrain differences. What matters is the generation (R170, R171, or R172) and the engine variant, not whether the car had Sport styling or an SE specification badge. Confirm engine size and generation with the breaker and your registration to get the right part.

A 2012 SLK belongs to the R172 generation, which ran from 2011 onwards, while a 2011 SLK would be the final year of the outgoing R171 generation (2004–2011). Because 2011 sits right on the changeover boundary between R171 and R172, you need to be particularly careful – the two generations have different rear driveshaft designs and the CV joints are not expected to be interchangeable. Confirm the exact model year and generation of any donor car with the breaker before proceeding.

Yes, side absolutely matters – nearside (NS, left) and offside (OS, right) rear driveshafts and their CV joints can differ in length or design on the SLK, so ordering the wrong side will mean the part does not fit. Always specify NS or OS clearly when contacting a breaker, and double-check this against your own vehicle before purchase. Never assume the two sides are interchangeable.