w123 u-joint
 

If I've done my homework correctly, the concensus on the forum is to replace the driveshaft if the the U-joint is bad. Upon inspection one "arm" of the U-joint is very loose. Any comments pro or con to replacing the DS vs the U-joint?

John:confused:

I would just do the U-joint. This place does good work, and replaces the U-joint with a lube-able one. http://www.driveshafts.com/pages/mercedes.html

How much?
 

Do you have a current price on that joint replacement listed above. I remember seeing a price from one company up in Oregon I believe, that wanted close to $600.00 for that joint job and balance the shaft.

I emailed them for a price quote and will post the info when they reply.

John

Here's a pic of the bad "arm" of the U-joint.

John :(

the place I posted charged me $300 to shorten my driveshaft for the turbo engine swap including new U-joint, new carrier bearing, and balance. No shipping in that price though, they are local for me.

Cheapest way is too find a used one. Benz Friends in Seattle, for example, had lots of them and, I think, they would guarantee they were balanced together. Other reputable yards should have some. There are not many places that can do good driveshaft work and a used one would probably last a long time. I accidentally pulled one apart:eek:and a forum member had a unneeded one stashed away.

I was offered a used DS (thanks twalgamuth) but I opted to go with a reman that included new carrier bearing, carrier support and spline cap. Don't want to visit this part replacement again. I'll be replacing the flex discs and tranny mount while I'm under the car!

Merry Christmas

John :santa3:

What price did they give you?

I just put in the DS from driveshafts.com into my 115. Works well. They offer a rebate if you send the core but I kept mine just in case.
After the first installation, there was some vibration between 40 and 50 mph. I loosened the center support bolts, shook the driveshaft back and forth and where ever it settled, tightened it up again, problem solved.

$317 delivered with shipping included and free core return. PM for source.

John