82 300D Drive Shaft Re-Assembly-WTH - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rrgrassi · #1 08-06-2011, 06:50 PM

Well, what a fine time I'm having replacing flex disks and the center support bearing and bushing....

I finally got the driveshaft out, but the danged thing separated from the center on my while I was fishing it out, so I do not have the reference point to make sure it will be in balance.

It looks like it was worked on before, as I found red, blue and yellow paint on the front half. There are balancing weights on both halves.

Oh, and the danged U-Joint is has decided to be checked in to center position. It moves side to side but favors the center, almost feels like a door check strap.

Any ideas on Plan of action?

Thanks!

vstech · #2 08-06-2011, 06:54 PM

if the ujoint is clunky, you are going to need a replacement driveshaft, or send the entire thing to a shop for repair and rebalancing.

however, if the ujoint is not damaged, you can usually align the shafts with the dirt or rubber markings to get it aligned.

engatwork · #3 08-06-2011, 07:16 PM

In this thread.

driveshaft marks

See pic in post #7.

rrgrassi · #4 08-06-2011, 07:26 PM

Well, the u-joint is not noisy, or loose, just clocked in to the center. I do not know why they had to stake in the u-joint. That is a crappy design.

Enga, Thans for the link. I can find those markings. I hope they were on the 82 as well.

Diesel911 · #5 08-06-2011, 07:40 PM

If you should decide to replace the U-Joint. (I only put 2-3k a year on my Car so I cannot say my repair has any longivity to it yet.):
My U-joint Repair thread 2011
Drive Shaft U-Joint Is Staked/Crimped In Place, Now What To Do?
My Benz World post with all of the U-joint sources.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1581728-another-u-joint-driveshaft-thread.html#post4677977

Also there is a central guide bushing (expensive) that centers the Flex Discs.

rrgrassi · #6 08-06-2011, 08:41 PM

Well, no markings...damn it! I did get the center support bearing off though.

The flex disk centering bushings are still in place ind intact, luckily. I did not know about those. Thanks there 911 for all the info including the u joint.

I also managed to mangle the snap ring that holds the center support bearing and the front and rear bearing shields. The was no room what so ever to get the puller to grab the bearing with out destroying those covers...

Sine it looks like I will need to have the drive shaft serviced, is there a good place in the Dallas area that can be trusted?

Thanks!

Diesel911 · #7 08-06-2011, 09:40 PM

You can actually buy a new Drive shaft (not counting shipping it was around $270 for mine if I wanted to buy one) but I believe it would need to be balanced to your other parts.

Some of the places suggested in the U-joint thread installed greasable U-joints. A new Drive Shaft from Mercedes would have the staked in U-joints.

rrgrassi · #8 08-06-2011, 11:48 PM

Well, my problem is money and time. I think I will try to have both halves neutrally balanced, if possible. I did find a place called Driveshaft Kings in Dallas. We shall see...

engatwork · #9 08-07-2011, 07:26 AM

That will be the best thing to do. Let them go ahead and go through it and it'll be good for another 200k miles.

Biodiesel300TD · #10 08-07-2011, 11:37 AM

The two halves of the driveshaft in my 78 240D came apart on me when I first bought the car, and the PO had broken the front flex disc. So I couldn't reference the front, and I wasn't able to reference the halves to their original position either. I just put it back in. That was 60k miles ago. I don't have any vibrations or other driveline noise.

charmalu · #11 08-08-2011, 02:08 AM

These guys are in Texas.

http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/Left-Column/About%20US.html

Click on the import link on the left for Mercedes.

these guys in Portland, Or.

http://www.driveshafts.com/pages/mercedes_ujoint.html

some good MB info.

Charlie

Whiskeydan · #12 08-08-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

...

Sine it looks like I will need to have the drive shaft serviced, is there a good place in the Dallas area that can be trusted?

Thanks!

You might try 'Collin County Truck Parts' on hwy380 east of Mckinney.

Stretch · #13 08-08-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

You might try 'Collin County Truck Parts' on hwy380 east of Mckinney.

Welcome back Whiskeydan - what have you been up to?

rrgrassi · #14 08-08-2011, 01:31 PM

Thanks Charlie and Dan!!

Dan, I spoke to Jimmy. He told me about your TDI problems. What year is yours?

Here is the update on the Driveshaft. Driveline of Mesquite could not balance the shaft because they do not have the proper connections at the ends. So, they referred me to Driveshaft Kings in Dallas, with a worrd of caution...They can balance the driveshaft and do a good job, but do not let them up sell on any repairs, because the quality of thier welding is sub par.

So, I called them, and they quoted me $325, for a repair and balance. I found a supplier that could send me a rebuilt one, with a 1 year warranty for $350. Driveline in Mesquite matched the price, and I will have rebuilt one for $350 delivered to me tomorrow (Tuesday). I will be installing it on Wednesday.

The rebuilt shaft comes with a center shaft bearing and support already installed. Now, I have a spare bearing and support I bought from Fastlane. The bearing has already been pressed into the new support.

Anyone need a bearing and support? First $35 takes it and price includes UPS ground shipping.

ImBroke · #15 08-09-2011, 08:30 PM

I threw away 3 driveshafts about two months ago. I knew I should have kept them.