300td Hidden Driveshaft Seal Question
 

I was changing out my driveshaft rear flex disc recently and I noticed a small "seal" like device inside the rear of the driveshaft tube. You could see a tiny annular spring inbedded in this seal. As luck would have it, this seal had dried up and had a chunk of rubber missing or torn away. I might have gouged it on the axle tube during removal. Is this part critical in the functioning of the driveshaft? What purpose does it serve? Talk about over-engineered. I'm guessing it's just a dust seal (?)

I put everything back together already, so I hope this thing won't come back to haunt me later. I couldn't seem to find this part on any of the major parts stores online.

Thank you again for any help here.

I've got exactly the same situation.

http://www.mach4.com/images/stories/...pinionseal.jpg

Could someone confirm that the correct part number for this is 0259970047. The application is an '85 380SL and an '85 300D (ostensibly they both take the same part).

Here's a picture, but it just doesn't quite look right.

http://www.mach4.com/images/stories/...inionseal1.jpg

Thanks

That part number is for the pinion seal in the differential.

It's called a centering cone, sleeve, or bushing. The FSM calls it the centering sleeve. It can be removed and replaced.
You drill a hole through it then put a metal rod through the hole and drive a wedge between the flange and the rod.

Here are two pics of the one in my 240D when I bought it in 05.
First pic is the way I got it after the PO blew out the flex disc.
The second is the replaced part.


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...veshaft_01.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...epaired_01.jpg

Here are the instructions for removal from the Factory Service Manual.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1324624084

AND
 

You'll have a "Centering Bushing"/Sleve at each end of the driveshaft.

This is an "Interference Fit" (Friction) item,do not expect it to simply slide
out of the end of the drive shaft/propeller shaft,because you attempt to
remove it.

When I did mine, it took a bit of work to tap each wedge in a little at a time, but it wasn't that hard. But if anything is rusty it might be a whole lot more work. I'd suggest a bit a penetrating oil all around it before you try. Might help break it loose a bit.

I drilled a hole like the FSM pic. Then held drive shaft in a vise (with wood to protect vise) and used a pry bar against a punch stuck in hole along with BFH to tap the centering sleeve out. Be sure to mark the driveshaft before separating the halves.

Now I'm Really Confused???
 

I think we're talking about two different things.

Mine doesn't look anything like what you guys are describing. Which probably means I've inadvertently posted this in the wrong section (but my driveshaft sure sounded like what was being described by the original poster).

My specific driveshaft is from an '85 380SL, but the description and the part I found indicated they were the same as in the 300D... not surprising since so many MB parts interchange

So I pulled out the "seal" this morning. It kind of crinkled when I pulled it out and the consistency of the "seal" is more like Bakelite than rubber. The black residue behind the seal is kind of like a crusty glue. The white "insert" feels like plastic and behind it is just void. The dark outer portion seems welded to the yoke and it seems like there's nothing to drill and pry off like described above.

There was nothing "leaking" behind the seal into the void, so this leads me to believe that this is not a seal per se, but rather as the original poster reasoned, some kind of a "dust seal".

So my questions now are

• what is this thing?
• do I need it?
• where can I get it?
• should I re-post somewhere else?

http://www.mach4.com/images/stories/380sl/yoke.jpg


http://www.mach4.com/images/stories/380sl/shaftseal.jpg

Your driveshaft looks a little different but that's still the centering sleeve. And you should be able to remove it just like the instructions for the 123 sleeve. It may have different specs that a 123 centering cone, but I'm sure it's still available. You don't replace the rubber ring in the middle you have to remove the whole sleeve.

Ahhh, thanks. Now I understand what is going on. Here is the part (and yes, it is the same for the 300D and the 380SL).

http://www.mach4.com/images/stories/...aftbushing.jpg
And suddenly this picture, with the bushing pressed in, makes complete sense.

http://www.mach4.com/images/stories/...ftbushing2.jpg

I just couldn't get past the mindset that a rubber seal is designed to be pulled out and a new one pressed in in it's place.

The part number is 115 410 00 32.

If I recall correctly I couldn't get the new sleeve in up to the line at midway. But it was sticking out the same amount as the old one. So if you're doesn't got up to that line don't be worried. I replaced mine nearly 60k miles ago, and haven't had any problems.