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  #1  
Old 04-13-2013, 08:49 AM
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Drive shaft mount replacement - difficult?

I need to replace one of the drive shaft support/mount/bearing on my 69 w115. It's the center one of the 3 if I recall. I have the new support/mount, have to order the bearing. I have a book that describes the process of replacement. Can someone tell me just how challenging it can be?

Chris

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Old 04-13-2013, 02:16 PM
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Not if you don't mind getting your car up and off the ground where you can work under it in safety. Looks like a drop them down and the shaft will slip out of the spline section, replace the bearing and holder and put it back up. It is always a good idea to mark the shafts very clearly, so that the line up is the same when it is put back together. Probably can be done with just one socket also.
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Old 04-13-2013, 03:32 PM
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This is a rather easy, but time consuming, task.

Of course you will have to put the car up as high as you can get it, and you might have to drop out the exhaust system, but the real important thing is to mark the driveshafts so they can be lined up in the original positions. The entire three piece drive shaft is balanced as a unit from the factory, and it is almost impossible to find anyone with the equipment to balance a three piece shaft today.

Also.... Watch out for the little weights on the shaft. These are square pieces of metal that were tap welded on. If they fall off then put them back on with super glue. They will fall off if you drop the shaft while you are removing it.

The coupling of the shafts is also held together by some large nuts on the shaft. I have used a large pipe wrench to break these loose. You will see what I am talking about when you get in there.
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Old 04-13-2013, 04:58 PM
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Do the bearings need to be pressed in/presssed out by a machine shop?
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Old 04-13-2013, 05:36 PM
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No they will just slide right on, with a nice fit.
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1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

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Old 04-13-2013, 05:57 PM
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What holds the bearing in the rubber mount/support, just a snug fit?
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Old 04-14-2013, 01:15 PM
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Sort of. The entire driveshaft will come apart in sections, but when it is all assembled, as it is when it is installed in the car, everything fits in there pretty tight.

There is a big nut that must be removed from the end of each section of the shaft so the shaft can be slipped out of the bearing, but really the answer to your question is.... Yeah, they just sort of fit in there.

The theory behind the carrier bearing is the bearing starts to go and then it starts to tear at the carrier, sometime called the spider, until the carrier is torn up and you hear the rumbling. The bottom line is that this prevents the bearing from getting so hot that it melts to your drive shaft. So it makes a terrible noise and will eventually beat a hole through your floor, but replacing the bearing on the shaft is normally pretty easy.
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Old 04-14-2013, 05:17 PM
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ThankS! I am wondering if only 1 of the 3 has gone bad, should I replace the other two bearings on the other to carriers/spiders . . . ?
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Old 04-14-2013, 06:46 PM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Topher39 View Post
ThankS! I am wondering if only 1 of the 3 has gone bad, should I replace the other two bearings on the other to carriers/spiders . . . ?
If they are less than perfect, YES.
You really don't want to pull the drive shaft repeatedly for the same job.
These links should help you.

W126_Rubber Boot_drive shaft center support bearing

W126 drive shaft carrier/center bearing DIY

PeachPartsWiki: Driveshaft Support (carrier) Bearing Replacement


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Old 04-14-2013, 08:28 PM
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really this is done best on a lift , you need room to move around, lower things and an extra set of hands helps too....
Good luck
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Old 04-15-2013, 01:52 AM
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If you deceide you want your u-joints replaced while the shaft is out "Driveline Service of Portland" can rebuild your shaft with servicable u-joints. I had them rebuild my 3 piece shaft. They specialize in German vehicles.

Driveline Service - Mercedes Driveshafts

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