I feel like I should be able to figure this out, but I can't find a how-to on how to change the flex discs. I have the FSM for the chassi, but it doesn't seem to be in there so it must be under transmission. I swear it was in the E-Class Owners Bible but apparently it isn't. And I thought there was a tutorial online but can't find that, either. Ugh. My question: How do you loosen the center of the shaft so as to pull it back off the output of the tranny or input of the diff? I've done this on the 123 but that was a little more straightforward. Do I have to remove the exhaust to change the flex discs or am I missing something?

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

there's a heat sheild for the catalytic under the chassis. the center support is above that heat sheild. one way to do this would be to lower the exhaust by removing the donuts for the hangars (have a few replacements handy in case they're starting to crack).

to get to the heat sheild, disconnect the center support (might as well replace the center support, and the center support bearing for another $30 to last you the rest of the life of the car), and then you pull it back for the front flex disc. might as well also check the tranny mount for wear on that while you're in the front flex disc viscinity as well

A trick I learned to get the driveshaft off the flexdisk.
Use an air hammer with a ball joint pickle fork attachment. The driveshaft will come right off the flexdisk.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Sorry, I'm a little confused ... don't you need to remove the heat shield to get to the center support?

I guess I might as well do the center bearing if I go to all the trouble of dropping the exhaust and so forth. I did it on the 123 and it was not the easiest job. Maybe it'll be easier on this one since it's been better cared for in general.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

haha, goes to show how much of an r-tard i am. yeah, i got it backwards.