Driveshaft 'yokes' - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

AustinsCE · #1 07-01-2009, 06:24 PM

I don't know if anyone has any interest, but Spicer driveshaft yoke part number 3104-27 matches the splines on the Mercedes' 27 spline equipment. I imagine that's all or most of the 124, 201, 129, etc. Mine was a 92 300CE. The only thing is the smooth ends on the transmission/differential that slide into the driveshaft need to be cut. Small price to pay to remove the doughnuts, I think. 2904-27 has the same dimensions, but uses a different u-joint size, I believe, so it probably works, too. They're apparently made for Dodge 7-1/4" and 8-1/4" so something stock out there shares the part.

Just an FYI for anyone who might care, or is getting sick of replacing the guibos. I'm having a driveshaft made, 2-piece due to length, for around $700. I think last time I had to ship my stock one to be balanced and a new bearing pressed on it was close to that, plus $80/per rubber. Plus the horsepowers and whatnot.

Roncallo · #2 07-01-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

I don't know if anyone has any interest, but Spicer driveshaft yoke part number 3104-27 matches the splines on the Mercedes' 27 spline equipment. I imagine that's all or most of the 124, 201, 129, etc. The only thing is the smooth ends on the transmission/differential that slide into the driveshaft need to be cut. Small price to pay to remove the doughnuts, I think. 2904-27 has the same dimensions, but uses a different u-joint size, I believe, so it probably works, too. They're apparently made for Dodge 7-1/4" and 8-1/4" so something stock out there shares the part.

Just an FYI for anyone who might care, or is getting sick of replacing the guibos. I'm having a driveshaft made, 2-piece due to length, for around $700. I think last time I had to ship my stock one to be balanced and a new bearing pressed on it was close to that, plus $80/per rubber. Plus the horsepowers and whatnot.

So what I'm understanding is that this yoke will replace these parts on my 722.6 transmission and also the input flange on my 129 SL600 rear with some slight modifications.

Where did you have your drive shaft done. I had mine done at RCV

http://www.rcvperformance.com/

I elected to stay with the guibos. I don't generally have problems with them but I do need to get my alignment closer.

AustinsCE · #3 07-02-2009, 02:38 AM

I'm having it done locally, performance-industries.com, in Bakersfield, CA. Mostly a Hot Rod shop.

Yes the yokes will fit, it's just that nub at the end, the smooth part, would interfere with the U-joint. And they look like the differential side, with a brass cover on the inside. Also, the seals will be a different size. I'll post those part numbers when i pick them up.

Ideally, I wanted to find a flange with a deeper shaft to avoid cutting, nothing so far. I'm actually amazed these worked. However, these guys I'm having the shaft made at informed me that there's a guy in Southern California that cuts these yokes out of billet (since the particular size is rare/discontinued) at $150 a piece. The ones I got were $66 each. I'll have to find out where that is since I plan on having to do this again.

Roncallo · #4 07-03-2009, 06:43 AM

Good info. thanks

AustinsCE · #5 08-03-2009, 11:45 PM

I didn't find out the shop that makes the yokes, but I think that it's Inland Empire Driveline Services? iedls.com.

Anyway, the seal for the auto transmission (at least whatever one is used on a 300CE) is Timken #473445, the differential is SKF #16900. The auto transmission and manual transmission are different, I learned the stupid way.

I have a tracing of the sizes, and a huge warehouse that deals exclusively in bearings and seals. Benefits of an oil town I guess. When it becomes pertinent, I'll get that exact number. However, I reamed the inside of the factory oil seal to work for now as I deal with more pressing matters.

AustinsCE · #6 10-20-2009, 01:19 PM

Here's a picture of the yoke installed. That center deal is what needs cutting. Then the others show the installed shaft. Apparently, getting the drive shaft side of the yoke is no problem, common part for a D/S shop. The other picture is of the shaft, nothing real special. Apparently, they used the dimensions of a 60's Impala because it was close.

It's a multi piece, serviceable shaft, uses the stock center bearing. It has a grease fitting and has 3 U-joints. Too long for a 1 piece shaft. I meant to get a pic before I put it on but...

Pagz · #7 10-20-2009, 03:21 PM

Great work!
Is there any noticable increase in transmission noise?

Cheer's
Paul

AustinsCE · #8 10-20-2009, 04:46 PM

Thanks. There is some noise. Nothing unbearable. But it feels more like a regular sports car, than a luxury coupe. Almost all the refinement is gone. Towards the way of BMW or maybe Alfa even. The clutch disengagement is loud as all hell but that's unrelated. This particular shaft should also hold to 600hp. The only thing I have against it is that it's heavy, maybe 5-10lbs over stock but the benefits overcome that.

Pagz · #9 10-20-2009, 07:35 PM

Are you running a single mass fw?,when i removed my dm for the sm there was a reasonable increase in transmission noise on deceleration,i did think about removing the driveshaft rubbers too but would like to keep noise down so i guess im stuck with them!...i guess regular checks will be needed with the hp it runs.

ke6dcj · #10 11-20-2009, 07:32 PM

We need to talk about my 5-speed conversion for C36-powered W124 wagon . . .

Regardless, cool info!

:-) neil

AustinsCE · #11 11-21-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pagz

Are you running a single mass fw?,when i removed my dm for the sm there was a reasonable increase in transmission noise on deceleration,i did think about removing the driveshaft rubbers too but would like to keep noise down so i guess im stuck with them!...i guess regular checks will be needed with the hp it runs.

Yep, single mass. Noise isn't really an issue for me though. My Audi sounds like a tractor with the racing flywheel, so I can't help there.

Roncallo · #12 11-22-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

I don't know if anyone has any interest, but Spicer driveshaft yoke part number 3104-27 matches the splines on the Mercedes' 27 spline equipment. I imagine that's all or most of the 124, 201, 129, etc. The only thing is the smooth ends on the transmission/differential that slide into the driveshaft need to be cut. Small price to pay to remove the doughnuts, I think. 2904-27 has the same dimensions, but uses a different u-joint size, I believe, so it probably works, too. They're apparently made for Dodge 7-1/4" and 8-1/4" so something stock out there shares the part.

Just an FYI for anyone who might care, or is getting sick of replacing the guibos. I'm having a driveshaft made, 2-piece due to length, for around $700. I think last time I had to ship my stock one to be balanced and a new bearing pressed on it was close to that, plus $80/per rubber. Plus the horsepowers and whatnot.

Hey Austin

Thanks for this thread, it's a really good.

Can you tell me how you were able to find this out because I just counted the splines on my 722.6 trans (1996 SL600) and it has 30. I'm wondering if there is an equivalent for the larger spline. I'm wondering what Dodge uses on the SRT8's that use the 722.6 trans and what they have for a rear end.

85300DT · #13 11-22-2009, 10:13 AM

This is a literal gold mine to me..I was planning swapping my drive train into a fox mustang shell I have at my shop..

AustinsCE · #14 11-22-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Hey Austin

Thanks for this thread, it's a really good.

Can you tell me how you were able to find this out because I just counted the splines on my 722.6 trans (1996 SL600) and it has 30. I'm wondering if there is an equivalent for the larger spline. I'm wondering what Dodge uses on the SRT8's that use the 722.6 trans and what they have for a rear end.

Oh? Well, they aren't all as similar as I thought...
However, what I did, basically, is looked it up on a chart after I had the measurements. Here's one:
http://www.powertrainindustries.com/catalogs_type.htm?type=Pinion%20Yokes&sort_by=centerline_to_end&PHPSESSID=u6h33ehe57uijuv2es72j4cj76

And I imagine the measurements on your part are going to be awfully close to at least one of those. As long as the spline count/diameter are on and it fits in the holes at both ends. With mine, the outside diameter was a little bigger on the new yokes.

nick.ged · #15 12-04-2009, 04:30 PM

i have "deleted" the flex in my flex disks by lining the prop and the gearbox flanges up and bolting straight through using the flex disk as a spacer, same with the diff end, havent driven it yet, but cant see any problems, shear on the bolts may be the week spot, will keep the board informed.