My 350SDL appears to have play in the shaft which looks like it connects fan blade assembly to the viscous coupling. From the W126 diagrams, it appears the coolant pump drives the viscous coupling and the viscous coupling drives the fan blade assembly.

If this is accurate, any play is likely a very bad thing, right?

Is this common occurrence? In any case, it looks like I need to replace the viscous coupling, right? If I get that far, should I replace the coolant pump (130,000 miles)?

Would appreciate any advice on my troubleshooting accuracy!

Thanks!

__________________
George Stephenson
1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet)
former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car
former 1985 300 CD - great car
former 1981 300 TD - good car
former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car
a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg