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  #1  
Old 07-20-2004, 03:29 AM
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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'90 300TE: jobs underneath (incl. flex coupling and exhaust)

The exhaust on our '90 300TE needs attention. Apart from the pipe between the centre and rear muffler, it is all still original after 183,000km and 14 years. Presumably that section of pipe which goes under the rear axle was replaced due to being damaged (squashed?) by the previous owner. This section of pipe which is not OEM is obviously not of the quality of the original and I have had to patch it several times now. I have also now noticed a rattle in the rear muffler (probably not helped by the dents it now has since my wife negotiated a speed hump at excessive speed). I am therefore considering replacing everything rearward of the catalytic convertor. My choices are genuine from the dealer ($$$) or aftermarket. Can anyone recommend a good quality aftermarket brand? Remember this is a wagon so the rear muffler is different to the sedan and coupe (runs across the rear of the car with inlet and outlet at same end). The original rear muffler (which I know is original with MB logo and 1990 date) is branded "Gillet". I am not sure of the brand of the centre muffler but it too is original. I notice the Ebersprecher rear muffler on my '90 190E is still original after 225,000km so that brand can't be too bad either. I want to retain both original appearance and quiet running.

While I'm under the car, the front flex disc needs replacing. I have read here that some have achieved this by simply dropping the rear transmission mount while others have dropped the exhaust and heat shields and loosened the centre tailshaft slip joint. Which is the best approach? Since I am going to have the rear section of the exhaust off should I remove the rest of it as well to do the flex disc? While under there the selector bushes also need replacing so I'll do that too. Sounds like I'm going to be on my back for a while!

I am planning to do this between now and September since that is concours time and I figure nice new mufflers would help with the appearance of the underside. Whilst this is our family wagon, it is also a regular class winner in concours so originality is important. Speaking of concours, can anyone remember whether the W124 originally had exhausts the natural metal colour or painted black?

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.
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  #2  
Old 07-20-2004, 10:29 AM
michael cole's Avatar
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coincidentally i just replaced the rear flex on my 90 300te 4matic.i also dropped the driveshaft to check the center bearing support.the easiest way to get at all of this was to drop the exhaust system.my floor jack gave me a 20" lift.at this height i was able to work under the car comfortably and the exhaust dropped right down to the point i could drag it out from the rear.the two pipe sections between the cat and first muffler were quite rusty but a solid tap with a hammer indicated a defered repair.inspection of the driveshaft and center bearing indicated no problem.so i started looking elsewhere for the cause of my driveline vibration.i noticed that both front and rear flex discs were similar contrary to info in the service manual so i replaced the rear with an older version that i had on hand.also noticed quite a bit of movement at the tranny mount.not having that part on hand i guess well have to wait.
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  #3  
Old 07-21-2004, 04:24 AM
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Thanks for that Michael. I don't think my rear flex disc needs replacing and I remember reading that some had done the front one without having to drop anything other than the rear transmission mount. Anyone wish to comment?

How about good brands of mufflers? Anyone wish to comment on that?

Thanks,
Greg
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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.
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  #4  
Old 07-21-2004, 06:08 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Belgium,Europ
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Greg,

Not so long ago I replaced the rear muffler by a new one. I had the occasion tu buy an "aftermarket" but it's identical to the Mercedes as this is from the same factory. Only two differences : there is no star stamped on it and offcoars the price. There is no difference in quality.
I had to change it after 13 years and 330,000 km because the right hook was cracked leaving a hole on the upside. But no rust at all !
I'll try to find back that brand on the muffler as I can't remember it. I don't know if that brand will be available overthere ?
Greetings,

Danny
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  #5  
Old 07-23-2004, 04:43 AM
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Danny,

330,000km was a good run from your muffler. They certainly last longer now than the Mercedes of the '60s and '70s. I suspect that some of the brands available overseas would be available here as they are all imported anyway. There would not be sufficient demand for a local manufacturer to make them here. I will have to enquire as to what brands are available here and at what price and get reactions from forum members as to which is the best buy.

Greg
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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.
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  #6  
Old 07-23-2004, 08:56 AM
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 474
Greg, I replaced the rear muffler on my '91TE 5 years and 90K miles ago with a "Tesh" brand muffler. If my memory is correct, it looks like the original. Also, build and sound quality are good with aluminized construction at least on the outside. The only rust I see is surface rust at the welds where the exhaust pipes enter and exit the muffler although I don't believe there is any danger of rust through. I have no complaints at this time.

Mark
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  #7  
Old 07-25-2004, 07:28 PM
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Thanks Mark,
I had not heard of that brand. Its one to add to the list of those owners are happy with.
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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.
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  #8  
Old 10-04-2004, 12:49 AM
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what is a flex disc?
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  #9  
Old 10-04-2004, 11:15 AM
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Eberspaecher and Bosal are the two aftermarket brands most often mentioned. Bosal is made in India, and is somewhat cheaper.

I put an Eberspaecher in my 300E and was very satisfied.
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Chuck Taylor
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'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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  #10  
Old 10-04-2004, 03:23 PM
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Location: Huntington Beach
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scargo70
what is a flex disc?
Searched yet?
It's a rubber coupling, 1 between the tranny and driveshaft, and another one between the driveshaft and differential
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  #11  
Old 10-04-2004, 06:41 PM
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how do you know if it is going bad?
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  #12  
Old 10-04-2004, 07:40 PM
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Location: Huntington Beach
Posts: 329
Quote:
Originally Posted by scargo70
how do you know if it is going bad?
You can visually check; it'll be pretty obvious if the rubber's deteriorating. You'll probably get a noticeable in vibration while driving. If it's really bad, your car won't move when in gear and your driveshaft could fall off. Most wear occurs at the front one.

You're now officially a thread jacker!
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  #13  
Old 10-05-2004, 03:17 AM
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. I completed the jobs under the 300TE. After shopping around I purchased original mufflers from the dealer. They are Gillet brand on our 300TE (my 190E has Eberspacher). With my club member discount the price was actually less than some after-market suppliers and not much more than copies of unknown quality. I fitted the new mufflers just prior to our concours where the car picked up a class win (W124 & W201 class). I did not have time to fit the flex coupling before the concours due to being busy cleaning the car. I found that it was easy to replace by removing only the transmission mount. The front section of the driveshaft could then be pushed back sufficiently to remove and replace the coupling. I did not have to remove the exhaust or anything else and the job was completed in very short time. I purchased the coupling from an after-market OEM parts supplier for little more than half the dealer price. The new coupling had identical markings to the original with the MB part number and star ground off.

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.
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