Am getting faint rumbling vibrations in my 116 drivetrain at high speeds, symptoms alot like 114 driveshaft support bearing. Flex discs pass visual inspection, recent gear oil change in pumpkin. Probly could use tranny and engine mounts though. Does the 116 share driveshaft center bearing issues with 114's??

When you figure it out please share your findings with me. My 79 300SD is doing the same thing. My flex disks look good. I was ready to blame the half shafts but they seem fine with no slop.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

With all the talk about flex discs & bearing supports, I'm wondering if anyone has ever ever changed, the u-joint roller bearings on the back shaft.

I never have changed any u joints on a mb, I don't think.

The center bearings usually fail by losing the rubber surrounding them, I think. If that is the case you should be able to grab the ds and wiggle it up and down too much. Really any movement more than about 1/8" is too much I imagine.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

yes,in fact they are the same parts. Center bearing failure is more often than not exhibited by vibration on take off. your symptoms sound more like a failed trans mount.
Engine mount failure normally only shows as engine noise transmitted throughout the range.

Okay then that settles it: New tranny mount and center bearing (preventive measure) next on agenda. Motor mounts coupled with engine shocks too. Car's got only 1/4 million miles. And fixin these items will probly save the rear end. Gotta believe drivetrain vibes starting at mounts get transmitted straight to axles. Wodnek yer scarin me asking about half shafts, diesels probly stress rear axles more than V-8 cousins do.

I am getting vibrations from the driveshaft when on the loud pedal and may tackle the center bearing too. I think the 360 lb/ft of torque has something to do with it. How difficult is it to change the center bearing out?

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Hi, Changing the center bearing is very simple..In fact i have 280S (W108) here which the PO was told he needed a new drive shaft by an unscrupulous mechanic.($$$$$)
The center bearing rubber had perished from old age...and talk about vibrate!!!
Wodnek is dead on there ,I too have never had to change a rear uni joint yet and that includes some 6.3's i have done a few flex discs on.

I always get the car off all four wheels so you can turn the drive shaft to loosen the flex disc and diff bolts.
Depending on what model you are working on some Mercedes require that the exhaust be lowered ( not completely removed) .I always mark the floor around the center bearings housing with typex or similar so the bearings pre-load can be maintained.
You need a couple of large pipe wrench pliers to loosen the nut on the drive shaft ( you cannot miss it if look up there ) .you have to undo the flex disc ,and the rear of the drive shaft on the diff, again it depends on whether or not the car has uni joints or flex discs.
Undo the center bearing mount and drop it out. I always buy the bearing itse;lf from a bearing supply place rather than a dealer and I tend to buy bearing mounts 'on line' rather than a dealer .
W123,114,126's have a simple one peice rubber mount vulcanised into a housing.
W108-109's have a larger arrangement which requires a bit mopre work to replace. Reaasembly is merely a reversal of this proceedure.

Don't forget the sub-frame mounts and engine shocks. After you replaced all of rubber and shocks you notice an greatly improved ride.
Good Luck

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Britton McIntyre

68 280 SE coupe 'Hairball'
70 280 SL
71 280 SEL - RIP May 2010

Found out engine shocks and mounts are brutal expensive gonna skip em for now, suprisingly up there with Bilsteins that i bought last month. Drat it's startin to get cold where I'm at so parkin my DIY work for now. And didnt wanna crawl around underneath so had center bearing and trans mount professionally replaced at 2 1/2 hrs labor costs. Deffinitely made difference at silencing the rumbling.

Next Spring I'll be thinkin rubbers for sway bar and subframe mounts for sure. This brand new rust-free w116 of mine is incredibly satisfying car to work on, my opinion the best ball joint Benz ever built. Every improvement is immediately noticable. And got lucky fixing passenger side elec windows with junkyard switch from 108. Thought it was kinda cool that center console window switches from early '70s sedan matched exactly what i needed for the 1980 116.