97 SL320 driveshaft center u joint replacable?
 

I've looked on Peach Parts and they don't show a center drive shaft universal joint. The caps are staked on and the inner part of the yokes looks to thick for a clip on a replacement joint bearing cap. Does the aftermarket offer u joints?

When flexing the joint on my spare drive shaft, I can feel a notch. This notch wear occurs because there is little flexing of this joint. As a side note, this notch wear can be a source of vibration if the drive shaft has been removed and installed in a slightly different position or in another car.

Thanks

it takes a three prong approach to fix the issue.

there are front and rear flex disks...and a center driveshaft bearing..

i do a lot of my own work, but i passed on this project... you really need a lift and may have to remove part of the exhaust system.

Thanks, but I'm more interested in finding a source for replacement u joints. The originals are externally staked in making proper field restaking with common shop tools difficult. ( You have no way of knowing but, I can and have fixed every system on many cars over the years between owning a shop and my own projects. Engine - trans- rear end rebuilds, Body / paint, even some electronic component level board repairs. )

GM used to inject plastic to lock the joints and replacement joints came with internal clips. The inner portion of the yokes were machined flat to provide a bearing surface for the new clips.

Mercedes yokes are stepped leaving little room for clips. With all the cars out there you'd think someone came up with a work around. If nothing pans out, it will be time to sift through joint spec catalogs to find a match.

you missed my point

You original 2 points were:

To cure a vibration, the front and rear flex discs must be replaced along with the center bearing.

A drive shaft removal is difficult for a DIY especially without a rack, partially because the exhaust needs to be removed.

My points: ( without malice )

While inspecting my _spare_ drive shaft I noted that the center universal joint didn't flex freely and felt notchy. I then went on to state that the notch _could_ cause vibration.

The center universal joint caps are retained by staking the yoke, something that is difficult using normal shop tools. I then asked if an aftermarket u joint was available.

In a second post I addressed that drive shaft removal wasn't an issue and gave an example of how GM used to lock caps and the field repair method.

( Again, without malice )

I am sorry... it's just that there are not universal joints in my car....it's the flex disks that join the drive shafts.... and the center bearing is not a universal..it's just a bearing inside a bracket....

Maybe I am confused... I had this problem in my 300ce.... i was certain it was a bearing problem...but when they told me the exhaust had to come out , i went ahead and got the flex discs..... the front was about to break apart... the rear was fine....

that's my experience.... the indy charged 400... plus i gave him the parts....

i thought it was a fair deal...

Everything I've read on this has the owner taking it to a driveshaft specialist if they want to replace the u-joint.

There is a universal joint in the MB two piece driveshaft and it is staked into place, The ends have guibo discs and the centre hangs off the carrier with a bearing in it.

The U joint is staked in place and requires grinding and restaking to renew. Very hard in field, Some members have replaced it with some ford application U joint but its a very hard job. Best left to a driveline shop that can repair truck shafts.

+1

Drop the shaft and take it to the driveshaft shop

Here's some discussion that might be helpful

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/124491-can-you-replace-universal-joints.html

Lee, no problem, you car is just different than mine.

Mach4 thanks for the link, I'll start looking at u joint books. I know the physics of making it happen I was hoping there was a resaking tool that keeps things centered.

i think you ought to re-read the posts...every one is trying to help you...

no universals on our vintage mbz=s

a shop will have to press the old center bearing out... and put a new one in....

don't fight it, man

The statement has been made more than once that there are no universal joints (cross type joints) in the drive lines that are the subject of this thread.
The statement has also been made that there is a center bearing in the drive lines in question.

If there is(are) no universal joint(s) in the drive line it must be a one-piece drive line equipped only with flex discs at each end.

If it is a one-piece drive line why does it have a center bearing?

center bearing is used for support the bearing surrounds the shaft...but the bearing is wrapped by support enclosure...

i am not explaining it right... just look the part up ...it will be very clearing.

hmm - but there is a joint,

http://www.germanstar.net/drive2.jpg

typical MBz driveshaft. The U joint allows the shaft to tilt downwards into the diff unit.