Could I test the driveshaft in my '84 300D to see as to whether it is in good shape, or is this something that can only be ascertained when the car is driven?

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

If the DS and flanges are not bent, cracked, or rusted away it's good. There are shops that can check the balance if you pull it. Why are you questioning the DS?

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I think it robbed a convenience store.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I read a procedure for testing the universal joint...beasically just making sure it does not bind. Other than that and what was already stated....not much can fail.
I was thining next time I took one down I would bring it to the DS shop and have them replace the u-joint and balance it just for good measure.

The rubber web that supports the center bearing can be ripped and sometimes it's hard to see so check that carefully also.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

checking the rubber and the joint's tightness seems to be about all you can check. I do know that a DS can act funny if you disconnect it, then don't put it back exactly in the same place as when you removed it, it may seem out of balance.

Physically, if you see no damage on the shaft, and if you have not removed it, rubber parts and U-joints seem to be all to check.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

You can take it to a driveshaft shop and have it checked for balance etc.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I've read a few forum posts that if you remove the driveshaft, it's best to wire it together because if you let the front section come apart from the rear section, there's little chance you will be able to get it back together and it be in balance.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

After a particular year, maybe mid 80s, MB started marking them but I never count on that, always mark the two halves, that way you wont have a problem.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

The two halves are supposed to be balanced as an assembly. The reason why the alignment matters between the two halves is that they may have differences in balance if you get them out of alignment. As mentioned mark them with a punch or a scratch awl to ensure they align all the time.

Take it off the car, then take it, with the flanges and u joints attached, to a place that can balance the entire assembly. Have them balance, straighten, and check the u joints. Then you can be sure it is OK.

Thanks,

Packman

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!

A crooked Driveshaft?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

You can check for flat spots on the U-joint by bending while rotating a bit.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Every Drive Line I have pulled, my own cars and the one`s at PNP have all had the flat spots. they will have a notchy feel when bending the joint.

I had the 240 and 300D U-Joints replaced at a DL shop, center support Bearing and the Centering Bushing in both ends. this will run a good $300, but you should be good for another 300K miles.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works