could someone please describe the location of this on a 118 tranny? I have an '81 300td w/ a 118 tranny that sounds like it is dragging cans. I read that the flex plate torque converter bolts could be loose...any help would be extremely appreciated.

You are describing the Flex Disk. It connects the output from the Transmission to the front of the driveshaft.

Use search feature on this Forum and you will see Pictures and Descriptions. Use Google and Search Images on Flex Disk Mercedes. Or find an on-line parts seller, find the part and there is a picture. Click Buy Parts at the top of this site.

Steve

I don't know if he is talking about the flex plate or the flex disk, but if it is the flex plate it is located between the torque converter and the transmission. There is usually an inspection plate at the bottom front of the bellhousing which is held on with 2 screws. Remove these and you will see one of the three arms of the flex plate. Rotate the engine and you will eventually see the entire outer perimeter of the flex plate. By the way, it is also there to accomodate the driven gears for the starter to engage. If the 118 transmission is a manual transmission then you do not have a flex plate, you have a flywheel and the only flexxy-type thing that you have on your car is a flex disk.

Good Luck,
Tom

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1993 300TE
1984 300D
1984 300SD
1976 BMW R90S

you could be talking about the flex plate. if it cracks/breaks, a part of it can thwap around inside the bell housing, like dragging cans. if it's like mine was, the noise goes away when you increase rpms over 2000. does it make the noise when the car is not moving (i.e. the flex discs are not moving).

you need to pull the tranny to fix it. good news is that the flex plate is cheap, like $35 or so.

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1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified

Thanks for the info...I am ready to work on it now. To answer your post: no, there is no noise while the car is idling or coasting, only when power is applied.