I have to replace the flex plate of my 81 300SD.

History:
- car purchased not running
-- engine runs
-- six bolts between flex plate and torque converter sheared off
- previous owner claims transmission recently rebuilt, but has no details
-- transmission looks clean for having 292K miles on odometer
- removed tranny
-- shrapnel in bell housing
-- a few sheared off bold heads
-- torque converter spins freely on input shaft
-- output shaft spins freely out of park, locks in park
-- fluid is red and free of debris

Photo:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/tabijan/vwp?.dir=/81+300SD&.src=ph&.dnm=flex+plate+2.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/tabijan/lst%3f%26.dir=/81%2b300SD%26.src=ph%26.view=t

Questions:
- any tricks to removing and replacing the flex plate?
-- is there a specified tightening sequence or can I tighten every 5th bolt until I've tightened all 12? I have the torque and rotation tightening specs.
-- is there a key or clocking device to be aware of?
- what caused this?
-- bolts overtightened
-- none of the bolts backed out intact because there are 6 tips in the torque converter
- anyone got a flex plate for sale?

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

The biggest reason for the flex plate being cracked or broken is the adapter that is bolted to the back of the engine being out of alignment.

You can use a dial indicator on the crank to see if the flex plate is out of true using the crank as the reference.

It sounds to me as if someone forgot to tighten the torque converter bolts.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Sixto -

I have flex plates from a '72 250C (M130) and a '73 280C (M110) that you can have for the postage if you think they will work.

My guess is that he mis-aligned the transmission when he installed it.


Regards.

__________________
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