The Death of a Flex Disc ... did I kill my 240D? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BodhiBenz1987 · #28 05-20-2009, 09:08 PM

Update and some pics:
Well, I finished everything this evening. Yesterday I spent most of the day removing/replacing the bushings at the ends of the driveshaft (that included two trips to Lowes and a trip back to my house). I drilled a hole in each one, per Haynes manual procedure (bought a new set of Bosch drill bits that could handle the thickness), stuck a mini allen wrench through it and tried to pry it up using screwdrivers with the shaft in a vice. Upgraded to giant pry bars, no go. So I bought a torch and heated it ... they came right out. You can see the damage on the front one.

Today I put the center support back on, had to tap it on using a wide PVC pipe. The real tough part was torquing on the 12 bolts for the flex discs. My torque wrench is too big, everything kept slipping, and I had no space under there. Plus I have the strength of a preteen girl. But, I toughed it out and got them all done, despite lying in what was clearly not just mud under the back of the car.
Took it for a drive, everything seemed OK.
But here's the kicker (you knew it was coming, right?). When I was cleaning up a I picked up one of the old bolts, which still had the washer on it ... and realized I put the washer on the wrong side of every single bolt (i.e., I put it under the nut. Why? I have no idea). I doubt that will lead to immediate catastrophic failure, but the washers go under the bolt heads for a reason, and I have to go back and re-do all 12 bolts. It makes me so mad, because if I'd stopped and thought about it, logic alone would compel me to put the washer under the bolt head. And I was so careful about everything else. Oh well, it could be worse ... at least it doesn't look like this anymore ...