Does my 85 SD have universals (at center bearing carrier) or just the two flex discs?

Flex discs, one at the front and one at the rear.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

And a center bearing carrier.

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83 SD

84 CD

there is a u-joint in the center.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Two flexdisks, one center support, one u-joint and one slip joint.

Little confused, some say "yes" others say "no". I can seam to find ant part listing for a center universal (if there is any). I have the flex disc already , going to replace ,but don't want to be surprised when I take the drive shaft apart to find universals . Would like to change them at the same time as well as the center support bearing.

You aren't finding any parts because the u-joint is non-serviceable.

But volvos are listed as unservicable too but my dad changed the ujoint on his several times.

The benz ujoint though, I have never heard of going bad.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

That's probably because it never changes it's position except to compensate for what little engine/transmission torsion and subframe movement occurs. It's not like a vehicle with straight axle rear end where it has to move with the suspension and transmit power at an angle, it pretty much sits straight most of its life.

I just did this entire process last year. Change both flex discs while you have it down.
I changed both discs along with the center support and bearing. Be sure to mark your driveshaft where it slips together before you take it down. The only other thing I had to remove was the heatshield to get to the center support.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

The driveshaft U-Joint will go bad under more extreme conditions, such as high mileage and abuse from the transmission shifting too harshly. Mercedes did not plan for this part to be replaced, as it is staked in to place by some kind of impact machine that deforms the metal surrounding it. It is also quite difficult to find the right replacement U-Joint part.

There are places that have the right equipment to do driveshaft refurbishment where the center U-Joint and the carrier bearing are replaced. An alternative is to find a good used driveshaft.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles