Driveshaft Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

85chedeng300D · #1 08-04-2010, 06:12 PM

This question is about a rear differential transplant on a W123.

Donor: 1985 380 SE, early W126 with 2.47
Recepient: 1985 300D Turbo W123 with 2.88 --- too much free play and whine

Question: W123 front driveshaft + W123 rear driveshaft = W123 front driveshaft + W126 (4 door/standard wheelbase) rear driveshaft????

Would a hybrid W123 and W126 driveshaft work without any negative adverse effects on a W123. Has any of the member's done this kind of modification? What about the length....W126 is longer than W123?

Reason is I just hate to disturb the pinion flange on the newly acquired 2.47 rear diff, so, I'm trying to cut corners and I wanna find out if I can get away with just swapping the rear side of my W123's driveshaft with a W126's rear driveshaft so I can swap the W126 2.47 rear diff with it's stock pinion flange into my W123.

Thanks in advance!

JEBalles · #2 08-04-2010, 09:24 PM

Measure the shafts, that's the only way to know for sure. From seam to seam. If you split up the drive shaft, though, you'll have to find someone to balance it because it's balanced as one piece. Easier to swap the pinion (I'm assuming that's what you're doing). Don't think that's got any balance issues.

If you don't find anyone to balance the ds, this awesome guy at my local balancing/machine shop told me that if I get any vibe issues (I'm shortening my shaft for my engine swap) that I should just throw on some big ass hose clamps and move the weight around until it feels good.

85chedeng300D · #3 08-05-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEBalles

Measure the shafts, that's the only way to know for sure. From seam to seam. If you split up the drive shaft, though, you'll have to find someone to balance it because it's balanced as one piece. Easier to swap the pinion (I'm assuming that's what you're doing). Don't think that's got any balance issues.

If you don't find anyone to balance the ds, this awesome guy at my local balancing/machine shop told me that if I get any vibe issues (I'm shortening my shaft for my engine swap) that I should just throw on some big ass hose clamps and move the weight around until it feels good.

Another reason I'm trying to go this "hybrid" driveshaft route is because I'm having trouble taking off the 4-slotted nut that holds the pinion. Is there any trick on turning this nut without breaking the pin-socket? I'm sure I already chiseled off the locking tab, bathed and soaked with PB Blaster but I still can't turn that nut and I already broke the pin-socket twice already, it still has 2 pins left on it......