Flex Disc Replacement on 560SL

[Alkraut]

I am putting this on my list of upcoming "preventative maintenance" jobs that I hope to do this winter/spring.
Anyone have a recommended procedure or tips to complete this on a 560SL for front and rear driveshaft flex discs? Does the exhaust have to be removed? Driveshaft have to come out?
I have no detailed service history on my car, so I don't know if one or both were ever done. How do you inspect these for potential replacement? The car is an '88 with 80K miles, and appears to have been very well maintained by the original owner (who passed away prior to my buying it last year). All I have is "stamps" in the maintenance book, but no details on what repairs were done over the years, except for oil changes. When I called the dealers that serviced this car, they no longer had records over 3 years (or they could'nt be bothered). Would an M-B dealer have recommended replacement of these at a certain mileage? Thanks.

[Roncallo]

I usually go by on condition. I also have an 88 with no service records 130K miles. I bought it at 100,000 miles no problems with the flex disk however I did replace the center bearing and extension boot.

No need to take out the exhaust or drive shaft for flex disk replacement but you will have to remove them both for the center bearing. The drive shaft splines should be assembled in the same way it was removed so mark it good.

John Roncallo

[motozine]

Hello,
I need to replace front flex disc, visible crack. My car is 86 560SL
Question is what exactly need to be removed to access to flex disc?
I can see disc from center hole (green circle)
Can someone point out which bolts need to be removed? (I numbered them in photo) so i don't have to remove unnecessary parts.
Also if there is any other steps need please advise. (just front one replacement)
thanks so much.

[Roncallo]

It not likely you are looking at the flex plate through the green hole. The flex plate is aft of that area. More likely you are looking at the transmission mount. To remove either the flex plate or the transmission mount both of those covers should be removed.

You will also need the rear wheels off the ground to rotate the drive shaft.

Start by removing the 2 bolt #6 then remove 1-4 to remove the front section. Support the transmission by the pan with a block of wood and then remove the aft cover 5,7,8.

You will then have clear access to both trans mount and flex disks. They will be obvious how to remove from there.

[dugald]

I am all for DIY, but I'm getting too old and soft to work lying on the floor under a jacked-up car.
I had my corner mechanic R&R the flex discs with parts I supplied. Took about an hour on his lift = $75, and well worth it.

[motozine]

Roncallo, thanks for advise.
few more clarification though.
When i look through green mean looking through like green arrow (updated photo).

Support the transmission by the pan

Not clear where exactly. Is it right (green block) that's the position for a jack to support transmission? or mounting position will be above front cover plate that is after removing bolts #1~4?
Is there additional transmission mounting bolts after removing cover plates?
How far i need to lower the transmission, couple of inches?
thanks again.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by motozine

Roncallo, thanks for advise.
few more clarification though.
When i look through green mean looking through like green arrow (updated photo).
Not clear where exactly. Is it right (green block) that's the position for a jack to support transmission? or mounting position will be above front cover plate that is after removing bolts #1~4?
Is there additional transmission mounting bolts after removing cover plates?
How far i need to lower the transmission, couple of inches?
thanks again.

Yes right of the green block.

The jack has to be put under the transmission pan, using a block of wood, after removing the front cover.

There will be nothing else to remove after the cover plates except the 6 flex disk bolts.