MB Drivesahft shops
 

Every driveshaft shop I talk to cannot mount an MB shaft into there equipment. Specifically the SL600 driveshaft with the 4 web flange.

I did get 1 quote of $1300 to design and make them. Then they still have to mod the shaft. total cost $2100 +. Seems like I should be able to get this done for under $800 if I don't have to pay for design and fabrication of tooling.

Does anyone have a recommendation.

Theres a place called Republic Diesel down here in kentucky that will make a driveshaft for any thing. Cost a dude I know $350 for a custom driveshaft to mate a ls1 transmission to a 240sx rear end.


You probably already tried them but isnt there a place up there called Connecticut driveshaft inc?

I am curious if the length is the same then just use the 3 bolt flange. All the differentials and transmissions came with both, right.
There is not really any need for the 4 bolt flange for power handling.

Driveline service of Portland OR

That is true I could use the SL500 setup with the 3 lobe at each end and if it comes down to that I can only find a 3 lobe builders that's a possibility. Of course then I would have to purchase an SL500 drive shaft. But if I'm going to go through the trouble of having a new drive shaft made for an SL600 trans with and SL600 rear end I would prefer to use SL600 4 bolt flex disks. I figure MB went with 4 lobes on the SL600 for some reason.

However I cant use my 560SL shaft that I currently have in place because the SL 600 rear is about 1" longer from the center line of the axels to the flex disk flange. There is no room to take it up. I took up all at the forward end with the 722.6 trans it is now time to shorten.

oh.

There's a shop called Dan's Driveline (702-658-5650) here in Vegas that will be doing the FrankenBenz's driveshaft. The problem is not cutting and welding the MB shaft, it's balancing it.

They weren't sure that they could balance my 2-piece MB driveshaft but (here's the important part), they know a driveshaft company in Los Angeles that can balance an MB driveshaft.

Give them a call to see what they can do or give you the number for the LA shop.

For you the front end will be easy. Standard GM stuff. The rear with the 110mm 3 lobe will be more difficult but at least I found 1 balance machine company that will rent the tri lobe flange tooling to there customers. I haven't found the 4 lobe yet. It I could get a set of tooling in my hands I could make it myself. In fact right now I'm considering making the shaft mods myself. Each sub piece will fit right in my lathe. I thought I would need to purchase some vibration type balance equipment but having seeing how one balance machine manufacture does it just by displacement measurements, maybe not.

I could not find any company eather so I made it by my self and took a chance without balansing and it works without any problem. But nothing I wanna recomend to everybody:D

http://d4126198.u72.surftown.se/images/kortakardan.JPG

4 bolts was the only solution for me to handle the power;)

Roman

You are amazing and an inspiration to all of us.

Rock On

When the inspiring is inspired it is truly amazing.

I was just thinking that maybe you could switch to the constant velocity flanges. The several different mercedes and other german cars use cv joints on the driveshaft.

Ron,
I have a shop right around the corner that does all my Mercedes DS's..they advertise in the Star etc.. Atlanta Driveline if I'm not mistaken..they're located on Buford Highway.

Let me know if I can help @ all!

OT, spent the weekend w/ Jeff down here @ Road Atlanta prepping a 78 formula atlantic..Good times:)

Thanks. I will give Atlanta a call. Tell Jeff I said hello. I'd like to get back into racing but the job market looks like poo right now.

Ive only seen CVs on the front of MLs. I can defiantly get the output flange for the trans but as far as I could find I'm still screwed at the input to the rear end.

If I cant find a drive shaft builder at a reasonable cost I'm going to do a Roman. The drive shaft is only 4 ft long for both parts. My lathe is 36" between centers so I can modify and balance the segments individually and I believe I can make a flanged adapter on a bearing at the other end that mounts in place of the tail stock. It will only be cantilevered off the end of the bed about 6".