Driveshaft Center Support Question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #16 04-08-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

I just changed the flex disks on my 210. I have a pry-bar which is made for hammering on the handle. Put that bar on the metal insert, just below the tri-star drive and give it a few taps. The metal inserts go into this tri-star drive and like to stick into place. They come out easily, but tapping seems to be required. Prying on the rubber didn't do it.

Matt, by tristar I assume you are referring to the end part of the shaft. Not sure what you mean by "metal insert" and also the "rubber".

tobybul · #17 04-08-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Use a deadblow mallet. Or a wooden mallet if you have one. Last resort, a hammer with a piece of wood to prevent damage.

Dave

I'll use the rubber mallet and see what happens.....

tobybul · #18 04-08-2007, 04:06 PM

Ok, got the rear flex disc to pop off.... but now can't seem to get it to move forward enough past the pinion? so the shaft comes off.... pics...

I realize now why the flex disc kinda gets stuck... its because of those metal (bronze?) inserts in the discs that fit into the tristar that help hold the disc in place...

dmorrison · #19 04-08-2007, 07:56 PM

Make sure the driveshaft nut is really loose and see if the driveshaft will collapse any more so that you can remove it.

Dave

tobybul · #20 04-08-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Make sure the driveshaft nut is really loose and see if the driveshaft will collapse any more so that you can remove it.

Dave

Thanks, Dave.... I'm just taking my time on this project.... but I wan't to get it done hopefully in the next few days since its taking up one space in the garage... the pinion shaft is much longer than I thought. When I get in to stuff the first time, I approach it a bit carefully so I don't mess anything up. Hence, the apprehension on just whacking things.

I'll fully loosen the nut when I get back in to it. I actually partially screwed it back on thinking that it would help pull the rear shaft forward but looks like that did not accomplish it.

Thanks for the help. I'm sure I'll be asking for help again

tobybul · #21 04-08-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmarzan

George,

There is a lock/snap ring you need to remove to get the bearing out. Using the puller depends if the bearing is stubborn or not.

I know it is a PITA, but I only pulled the whole shaft out. But I guess you can slide it out of the spline. To get the drive shaft out you need to remove the mount and since your are replacing the mount you can get at the flex disk just use a "flex" socket and you should be able to get at it.

Rich, hopefully its still fresh in your mind... how much pushing forward of the driveshaft did you have to do to get it free from the pinion shaft (the stubby shaft coming out of the differential). This thing looks like its sticking out about an 1 1/2 inches..

So, as you can see, I have not lowered the shaft yet so have not gotten to the snap ring. The tranny mount is off but am not putting it back on till the shaft is back on.

Thanks for the help...

Mercury · #22 04-08-2007, 10:31 PM

Love the pic of Toby

The drive shaft is something of a tight fit. Did you remove the center mount? I had to remove the parking brake in order to allow the drive shaft to flex enough to make it in or out.

Since this started as a vibration issue, let me make a suggestion. This comes from experience. When you have the driveshaft out, check the u-joint for a notch. Move the joint slowly from side to side to see if it has a notch in the centered position. Test both axes of rotation. If it does have a notch, you will need to replace the entire shaft, as the (bad) u-joint is pressed in. The vibration you were feeling, and a busted mount were exactly what I witnessed on my car. If it is notched return the new bearing and mount, as the new driveshaft will come with them.

You can remove the flex disc without removing the tranny mount. Your choice.

tobybul · #23 04-08-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury

Love the pic of Toby

The drive shaft is something of a tight fit. Did you remove the center mount? I had to remove the parking brake in order to allow the drive shaft to flex enough to make it in or out.

Since this started as a vibration issue, let me make a suggestion. This comes from experience. When you have the driveshaft out, check the u-joint for a notch. Move the joint slowly from side to side to see if it has a notch in the centered position. Test both axes of rotation. If it does have a notch, you will need to replace the entire shaft, as the (bad) u-joint is pressed in. The vibration you were feeling, and a busted mount were exactly what I witnessed on my car. If it is notched return the new bearing and mount, as the new driveshaft will come with them.

You can remove the flex disc without removing the tranny mount. Your choice.

Thanks. Yes the mount is off. It will be replaced when I'm done. I'll attempt to lower the shaft again next time. From what i can see I don't think its necessary to remove the prkg brake but we'll see.

I don't exactly know what you mean by notch. Are you referring to a mark of some type or a lateral play on the u-joint? I believe the vib is caused by a degraded center support. The rubber is pretty broken up. I'll take a pic of it when I have the ds off. I'm praying its not what you had

Thanks so much for the suggestions...

Mercury · #24 04-08-2007, 11:43 PM

Sorry for not being clear. The notch is something that you hope you cannot feel. As you slowly move the joint on 1 axis/hinge, from side to side, you MIGHT feel a detent, catch, or notch in the joint, near the center. It will be very soft. Mine had the same symptoms, and I went through the same set of repairs. I had a bad transmission mount, and bearing support, that were easy to visually confirm had failed. Don't know the order of failure, but the end result was that all 3 (driveshaft, support, and tranny mount) had to be replaced.

If you can get the driveshaft off of both front and rear flex discs, then there is no need to remove the parking brake. This is only necessary if you think you have to force something, as the extra space will allow you to bend the shaft enough to 'shorten' it.

Mercury is a boxer

DeliveryValve · #25 04-09-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Rich, hopefully its still fresh in your mind... how much pushing forward of the driveshaft did you have to do to get it free from the pinion shaft (the stubby shaft coming out of the differential). This thing looks like its sticking out about an 1 1/2 inches..

So, as you can see, I have not lowered the shaft yet so have not gotten to the snap ring. The tranny mount is off but am not putting it back on till the shaft is back on.

Kababayan, I see what your problem is. When I removed my driveshaft, I had the differential lowered a bit. This allowed space to get past yoke pin. But since you are not touching the differential. What you need to do is push the driveshaft back into the yoke to its orginal position. Then your going to have to disconnect the shaft from the transmission end. There is no pin there so you can easily slide it out. Once you have it disconnected from the transmission side, you can move the driveshaft forward to clear that pin.

Good luck.

tobybul · #26 04-17-2007, 03:14 PM

... got the drive shaft off. Had to remove front FD in order to slide out the rear end of DS from pinion shaft....

Center bushing was falling apart... No play or "notch" on U-joint. I actually don't know what notch means.... but no play or lateral movement at all. Vibration had to be from bad bushing... will rent a puller from AZ tonight and pull off bearing...