Took the car out and heard a loud thud sound coming from under the center of the car. Only heard at low speeds. Can I visually see if the driveshaft is OK. 1983 300SD

check your flex discs.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Sounds like the center driveshaft bearing. Mine is shot and it has been making a loud thud type noise at slow speed for the last week or so....I need to change it, but haven't taken the time. The center bearing rubber dteriorates over time and it allows the driveshaft to clunk around at low speed....it lines out at higher speed.

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1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

Thank you for the help. How can I check if it is the flex disk or the bushing. What part numbers and how hard is it to repair.

DP,

It may only be the center driveshaft support. The rubber goes bad and the drive shaft moves around. You can easily see if the rubber is bad visually.

Not a hard DIY project. Not a very expensive part either.

P E H

Thank you I will get out there today or tomorrow to check.

As you can see, there are several things that can be your culprit. The only way you will know is to get under and start pulling and shaking. If it is as bad as you describe it will be obvious once you give everything a good shake and twist.

Good luck,

Why don't they sell that darn bearing pressed into the carrier? I think that's the biggest pain, of all the work I've done, to try to press that brg into the rubber carrier.

The center support bearing that I have is already pressed into the rubber. However, the bearing does have to be pressed onto the drive shaft. My problem is finding the time to remove the drive shaft to get the old one off and the new one on.

__________________
1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

WOW, where did you find the carrier pressed in already?

The PO gave me one of these when I bought the car 10 years ago. I just assumed that the part came that way, however, I notice that Fast Lane carries the two parts and they must be married together....I would agree that this would be a pain. Mine has an MB part # of 123 4101 081....looks to be a dealer purchased part. No telling what the PO paid for it.

__________________
1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

got under the car took off the plate and found that the rubber mount ewas completely destroyed where the bracket and the two drive shafts meet. It looks as though I have to take the drive shafts apart to get the new piece on. Any suggestions on how to do the job?

DP,

Its been a long time since I replaced that rubber mount, but I don't think you have to take the driveshaft apart.

I think you take one end of the driveshaft off at the flex joint and remove the old rubber mount and slip the new mount over the driveshaft. I have done this job on my 220D and 240D and didn't have anything "pressed" on or off.

When the driveshaft is detached, check for any loosness in the bearing or any other parts. If you separate the driveshaft ends, mark them so you can assembled them so the same splines are mated to keep the driveshaft balanced.

P E H

Thank you for that tip. I just ordered the mount, boots and a new bearing. I figured that as long as I have it apart I might as well replace everything.

It looks like the back flex joint is the one to disconnect. Am I right?

DP,

I wouldn't replace the bearing unless you can detect any play or looseness in it. I think the replacing the bearing is a press job, so you will have to remove the entire driveshaft and take it to a shop.

Remember the old addage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. You will be adding more work to the rubber mount R&R job by replacing the bearing and it may not be needed.

Sorry, I can't remember which end of the driveshaft to remove. Its been too long ago that I did the job myself.

P E H