After much frustration of trying to find the noise in my transmission, I isolated it down to 1 of 5 components. First I was well convinced that the noise was comming from within the transmission. I inspected the governer it looked OK. I then looked at the books and realized the transmission used a ball bearing on the output shaft. I thought for sure this was it. But I pulled that and it did not appear to have any significant problems. I replaced it anyway but knew I had to dig deeper. I then removed the exhaust and found the center bearing support saging tward the bottom, nothjing I suspected would make the noise but nevertheless time to replace it. While I was there I replaced the bearing as well. I also noticed the rubber boot was torn with a piece of rubber whipping arround and possibly hitting the support frame. I also noticed the u-joint was slightly stiff in one area Of all the parts I replaced nothing was really bad that I would have expected it to make a noise but the drive shaft was definatly in need of the boot, center support and u-joint. If I had to pick one part that may have caused the noise I would have to blame it in the boot.

In any case with those 5 pieces replaced the noise is no longer there.

Incidently I have seen several references that say you cant replace the u-joint on the 560sl. It is staked in and has to be restaked in when you replace it. Non of the traditional MB on-line stores carry the u-joint. But Partsamerica.com does have it. And so far it works fine.

John Roncallo