Ka-BAM!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-15-2002, 09:48 PM

This morning I received a call from my wife…
You know, the one you never want to get…
“I think I just broke the car” She drives our 1980 300D.
She said that she heard a loud bang. The car stopped moving, and it felt as though the transmission had fallen out. As I drove to the scene, I couldn’t help nut think it was a flex disk. Upon inspection, I saw the remains of the front flex disk. We moved the car out of the road, and into a parking lot so that I could deal with it after work.
When I got the car on jack stands after work, it became clear how bad it was.
I had already planned on replacing the center bearing and he transmission support as well as the flex disk, but when I started examining the area, I noticed the shift linkage wrapped almost one full rotation around the transmission. The parking brake cable is badly kinked, and the tunnel around the transmission is badly dinged up. So bad on the passenger side there is a hole. The verdict…
I know when I am beat! I want the professionals to evaluate and repair this mess.
I called a tow truck, and had it towed by flat bed to the local Benz shop. I am going to have the rear flex disk replaced, as well as the other damage.
I am going to carefully inspect the flex disk on the SD too. From what I understand, this is once of those cheap insurance items.
I will update with the repair estimate. One interesting side note, the power window circuit as lost power in the console. I could not get the windows up. I will trace this out myself. I guess something between the console and the tunnel is apart.
Bummer
Robert

P.E.Haiges · #2 08-15-2002, 11:33 PM

Rob,

Man, what could have caused the linkage to wrap around the transmission like that? I guess I have been lucky, I only ever had the rear flex joint go bad and nothing else came apart and I could still drive the car home.

I'm going to check my flex discs closer, especially the front one.

P E H

#3 08-16-2002, 11:59 AM

Do the flex disks need to be replaced periodically, or do they need tightening?

#4 09-04-2002, 10:49 PM

Well...
Apparently when the drive shaft came loose and did it's thing, it also took out the tranny. I have been mulling this over for the past couple of weeks, on what to do. Also last week when I had the shop were the car was at pull the car out for me to have it towed home, a guy backed into the passenger side. He is going to pay me for the damages, but it is hard to get estimates for body work when the car wont drive. Today I found an '83 300D 180k, awsome interior, cold AC locks work and so on...
I stole it! I will report more on this car as I get aquainted with it, as it will take a few days. I will be taking some parts off of my '80 300D, such as the alternator, which is new as well as the battery. If anyone has any request for parts, let me know.

unkl300d · #5 09-04-2002, 11:21 PM

I emailed you Robert.

Apparently the person who later hit your car did you a favor. The cost for body work alone will proably pay for alot of your newly
obtained car cost!

Keep us posted.

#6 09-05-2002, 06:37 PM

Guys,
The 1st estimate is coming in at $1500, update later!

MikeTangas · #7 09-05-2002, 07:08 PM

Rob,

This is a very repairable incident. I got my 560SEL for the very same reason - the insurance company totalled the car and I got it for a song.

You will need to obtain from a salvage yard: new shifter, shift rod, crossmember, transmission tailshaft housing, yoke, driveshaft assembly (and whatever other "hard" items that were damaged).

Plus you'll need to buy new flex disks, center bearing, tranny mount and other "soft" items.

The tranny hump can be securely patched using a piece of steel, or stainless steel, about 16 guage or so, rolled to match the arc of the hump. Attach the repair plate with rivets and waterproof the seams with roofing mastik.

I took my time and had the car driveable in just a couple months of weekends.

Be thankful the 300D didn't have airbags, as the would have gone off when the driveshaft went loose. The windows could be dead from the harness taking a hit and breaking wiring. Might need to replace/repair the harness too.