How tough of a job is this for a do-it-yourselfer with not alot of automotive experience?

__________________
paul300td

Just about as simple as can be. Take the old ones out and put the new ones in - just make sure the bolts are put in in the proper direction (they alternate I believe).

__________________
'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

Sometimes you have to pry on the old ones to pop the sleeves in the flex disks loose from the driveshaft/transmission/differential.

You may also have to drop the center support bearing (no big deal only two bolts) in order to have enough movement of the driveshaft to be able to get the flex disk out.

Make sure you have the new disks properly seated in the driveshaft/transmission/differential flanges and facing the correct direction...some have a front and a back.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

If you are going to go to the trouble, you might consider replacing the support bushing and bearing while you have the driveshaft disconnected. Make sure that you find a wrench large enough to fit the drive shaft collet nut. And make sure that you paint mark the shaft and tripods so that everything goes back on like it came off. The Haynes manual has a good description of the job. I just did my '82 300D. Replaced the flex discs, support bushing and bearing, and grease boot. Dealing with the driveshaft nut was the biggest problem, as access is difficult with a pipe wrench, which was the only thing I had large enough. A 12 inch adjustable wrench worked on the front driveshaft hex. A 15 inch would work on the nut. And make sure to block your wheels. The car won't be in "park" when you disconnect the driveshaft. And on the 300D, you have to disconnect the parking brake cable.

The nut takes a 46mm (or 1-13/16") crowsfoot. Tigthen it down to about 25ft lbs. and you'll be set. Make sure to grease the splines before you put it together.