The rear flex disc is easy to check out.

To get a look at the front disc, you need to remove a serious metal plate that forms the bottom of the transmission tunnel. If you do that, then you can shake the driveshaft and if it moves, you probably need a new center bearing.

Warning - very dirty job.

The front flex disc has a sort of webbing design that helps it act as sort of a shock absorber. On my 280SL with 181K, this webbing was completely broken out. The center bearing was toast.

A good repair "package" is both flex discs, the center bearing, and rear trans mount. You need a special puller and press to r/r the center bearing. I took my driveshaft to Herr Fuchs, and he charged me an hour's labor for the r/r.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe