hi, on my w123, there is a lot of backlash in the drivetrain. i've replaced the differential mounting before, and the problem seemed to go away for a short while, but now its back to square one. what are the points that are prone to wear and can be replaced (without costing an arm)?

if i step on the brakes and release the clutch abruptly in 1st, i can hear the backlash from either the propeller shaft area/differential.

thanks.

Have you checked the rubber flex disks at both ends of the driveshaft?

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

hi larry,

what exactly am i looking out for?

one of these flex disks is at the transmission end and the other at the differential?

thanks.

roland

roland,

Sorry for the delayed answer, I'm in Europe and connectivity challenged.

If you have a way to raise the rear wheels safely, move the driveshaft by hand and see if the rubber flex disks are not tight. The diesels don't make enough torque to hurt them, but these cars are old enough now that I would think that one of them could be rotten and has fallen apart.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

hi larry,

the driveshaft can definitely be rotated a little, and i've always thought that was cos of wear within the differential gears. but now that you've pointed out about these rubber flex disks...

could you enlighten me on how "big" a job this is and where are these flex disks precisely? Thanks.

Hope it's a holiday you're having in Europe and enjoying it.

Roland