96 S320 flex joint replacement rear
 

Does anyone have any experience replacing the rear flex joint in this vehicle? I have the front one removed but the back is being difficult. I am trying to avoid removing exhaust system to get to center U joint.
Thanks
Chris

I would take the rear muffler off as it's pretty easy (one clamp and a couple of 13mm hanger bolts) and will give you more room. That said, I don't think that you necessarily have to remove the muffler. I can't remember if '96 has 6 or 8 bolts on the disc; take them out and pry the disc loose. The center slip joint should then allow you to push the rear half of the driveshaft forward enough to get the disc out.

Flex disk removal
 

Thanks for responding. The front and rear flex disks are the same 'new' p/n 1704100015 with a 6 bolt pattern. The front shaft compressed to allow the disk to be removed with low/medium effort. But, I seem to be trying to pry the rear connection with no results. The main thing is there seems to be no room for the shaft to move away to let the ring fall out or to the side(up, down, etc.) to allow it to be released. Does the metal support arm need to be removed that hangs under the shaft and/or the exhaust, heat shields, etc? I am hoping someone has done this job recently and has experience with this process.

I researched replacing both on my W210. The front one is easy since the driveshaft can be pushed back as I think you've found out. The back required removing the exhaust and the middle carrier bearing in order to create enough space to remove the flex disc. Based on WIS procedure.

Flex joint replacement
 

I am thinking of putting back the rear one for now. It did not appear to have the cracks that the front one has. And, since I have two are being delivered today, I will have "one in stock!:-)" Thanks for the information.

I removed the whole driveshaft when I did mine. It's really not that big a job. You might make sure that there's no play at the center support bearing while you're down there; mine was toast at 130k.

Thanks for posting this info,I need to inspect mine as well,or replace.My w126 went 25 yeaqrs before replacing but parts were better then.I was thinking my w140 would go that long.I have only one shorter muffler in the rear,should mine replacement go easier?http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ons/icon14.gif