Late W124 Manual trans swap driveshaft length.
 

Does anyone know of a model that has a 32 1/2 inch front section driveline. I have swapped a 717.451 dogleg 5-speed into my E320, and need a driveline that is 2 1/2 inches longer than my auto driveline. Anyone been down this road?

I honestly have no idea, but based on the feedback from other forum members, I just this Wednesday grabbed a 260e drive shaft in order to couple it with the 1985 190e (4-cyl) 5-speed drive shaft front half. I only paid $125 for it and a bumper plus two hours of driving. I figured there was a good chance I’d waste more than two hours searching for another over the next 6months to a year, so getting in the car and grabbing it was probably worth the time (and money). I think my trans is a 717.400 or something like that. I hadn’t thought much about the 4 vs 6 cylinder and wonder if my setup isn’t really going to work in the 1992 300te as I’d planned. (Still need to work out 60-degree timing segments/tabs for CPS though.)

What is the transmission output flange bolt circle?

Looks like the S600 is 31 measured from the flange to the end. About 31.75 with the pilot bearing. 110mm flange bolt circle. Early ones are 4 web but I think the later ones might be 3 web.

Thanks! That at least gives me a baseline. I'm going to look into a W140 S320. I'll post the results.

If you have any trouble finding one, please let me know. I’ve been looking for reasons to tear apart my running driving 1993 300se.

driveline
 

Why not just measure and send to driveshaft shop to be made longer or shorter

Can you name a few drive shaft shops that will do this? If so, please share with the forum. I bet there would be plenty of people willing to pack up their drive shafts and provide specs of what they are seeking, including the balance.

I have used this guy. I would suggest sending in the rear section as well so he can balance the entire shaft as a unit.

http://www.driveshaftmasters.com/Home_Page.html

Drive Shaft Masters
Harbor City, CA

There is a place local to me that will extend my existing driveline, and balance it for 350.00, but there is plenty of factory options out there. I have a front section from a long wheelbase S320 coming from eBay. Cost me 75.00. I'll post up weather or not it fits, but from the measurements it should be a perfect fit.

Have you had one done by them. Quality pics??. Good to know if they do a good job.

I have. Don't have any pics but the welds are good.



I also referred a friend who got one done too, and he drives his car very hard. Has destroyed two diffs doing clutch dumps in a manual swapped C36 and had no issues with the driveshaft.

You can have the ends removed, machined, pressed in and welded into longer tubing provided you find tubing with the correct ID and wall thickness. That's what I did for the front section of my custom driveshaft to interface the transmission.

I'm throwing in the towel, I'm taking my driveline to the shop to get it extended tomorrow.

Did you try that s320 option that someone mentioned? I’ve got an 1993 300se (3.2) but the transmission in it is 7” longer than the 717.4xx that I have. I considered trying to put my 717.4 trans into it for fun, but know that’s silly, and also don’t know what I’d do about the drive shaft.

As I mentioned above, I’ve got the w201 front shaft and 260e rear shaft. I’d kind of think that would be a factory option for you too.