Preparing to replace both flex discs...and center bearing/carrier.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #1 08-27-2007, 08:24 PM

I was under my car last friday dealing with a rattle my bracket on my straight pipe was making, when I decided to check my flex discs. And am I GLAD I DID.

The front one is visibly breaking apart. Many cracks...and around a few of the bolt things the rubber is actually torn and breaking apart!

Explains the driveline vibrations I've been getting. The rear one has a couple tiny cracks....nothing major....but I'm taking the whole shaft off so both are going to be replaced. I'm also changing out the center bearing/carrier etc, as I already have all the parts in my inventory, and the stuff on the car is likely old/worn out anyways. Today I got a pair of big channel locks to get the sleeve nut loose on the shaft...and I think I have most other tools. The flex discs should be coming in a couple days....then I will have all parts I need.

Thanks to the helpful postings of tobybul I understand how it comes out/fits together....so I am not too worried about the project.

The dealer wanted $350....I say no way.

My biggest questions are: Any special tools needed to get at the flex disc bolts? And, in the FSM it specifies Molykote grease or something for putting the two halfs of the shaft back together....do I need this? Or is there another suitable grease for the center bearing/splines that I could use that'd work just as well? As for pulling the bearing off the shaft....will a normal bearing puller work? I think I can rent one at autozone....if not I'll just buy it at sears....I read that to put it back on all you need is a rubber mallet and maybe a 2" piece of pipe...sounds pretty straight forward.

I will probably be doing this later in the week....as soon as my parts come and I have some free time. I think I might try to take some pictures...if I am up to it.

In the meantime I have been driving around in our bought-in-january-but-not-yet-driven 300D. Its a fun little car...slow as heck off the line then it burries you in your seat with power/torque. The throttle pedal is like squashing a sponge....and shifts are a bit quick....but they're rock firm and the engine/entire driveline is in perfect shape. Interior is nice. Klima is messed up...vac locks don't work (they're disconnected) takes 15 seconds to shut down....(every time)

but it has little to no rust...and the price was right. It even has working cruise! I did 130 miles at 82mph over the weekend and it drives straight and smooth....no vibration at all. Its a nice little car. I still prefer the W126 though....its just not the same....