All,

Have a 82 300SD w 104K miles.

Driving home yesterday on the freeway (60MPH) and suddenly the car acts like the tranny is in neutral and the speedo pegs at 100MPH. Coast off the freeway to safe spot. Try all gears, no go.

With the shifter in D rev the motor and see the odometer clicking off tenths of miles. So, the engine is turning something in the tranny to drive the odometer but not the car. Look under car, driveshaft still there, flex joints look OK. When shifting back to Park, shifter gets stuck but am able to shift to L and then to Park. Grinding noise after shifting to Park for a couple of seconds.

Have searched the archives and although not the same symptoms, could this be a B2 Piston?

If not, have a tranny from a 79 450SEL, will it sub for the 82 300SD tranny?

Thanks,

JV

You have probably sheared the splines on the output flange. The fact that the speedo is reading means the output shaft is turning. This means the problem is after the output shaft.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Raised the rear wheels off the ground. Turned the left and right tires while watching the driveshaft at the differential. Everything is turning OK.

Check the front end of the driveshaft at the tranny. Front flex disc is turning when wheels are turned. See 2" gap between the driveshaft and the end of the tranny. Can see the splines on the output shaft. Splines look OK.

Looks like the driveshaft is NOT connected to the tranny!

Could it be the adjusting nut on the driveshaft? What would cause this to slip?

Will remove the plate covering the driveshaft tonight and see if the nut is loose.

If you can see the output shaft splines, the flange has come off. You may be able to reinsert it. I would be very carefull with your examination of the output flange. It isn't that expensive and is easy to replace the shaft isn't. Be sure to replace the nut.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Removed the driveshaft this weekend. Splines on flange are damaged. Looks like the nut came loose and then the flange seperated from the output shaft.

The good news is that the output shaft splines are OK.

Need some advice on replacing the flange. The dealer wants $107. Can get a used one for $70. New or used?

Thanks,

JV

you can't go wrong.

Jim
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV