Split driveshaft without marking, what now? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

New2MB · #1 10-19-2010, 07:17 PM

I could tell a long story here but it's irrelevant so I'll keep it short; the driveshaft on my '87 300SDL was removed from the vehicle and separated without being marked.

Now I need to put it back in.

I figure trial and error is my only option but that is going to really really suck.

Get the back end on jack stands, get the wheels moving and just keep trying different orientations until it stops vibrating?

Any ideas?

vstech · #2 10-19-2010, 07:23 PM

are there any rubber bits, or paint lines, dirt lines etc that could be used to line it up? sometimes there are very faint dots on the joints for alignment... good luck!

layback40 · #3 10-19-2010, 07:39 PM

The exact relocation, though very important, is not a deal breaker. Just put it back as best you can & see how it goes. Its only a small % of cars that will suffer bad vibration when its not put back the same.

New2MB · #4 10-19-2010, 08:01 PM

I didn't inspect it real close so I'll go back over it and see what I can find.

I didn't realize that only a small percentage of vehicles have a severe issue with this. From what I'd read previously I thought I would pretty much shake myself to pieces without the proper alignment.

Thanks for the help!

francotirador · #5 10-19-2010, 08:23 PM

I don't know if your car has them, but my 1990 300SE has an arrow embossed in each side of the driveshaft to help with that center alignment.

SD Blue · #6 10-19-2010, 10:57 PM

I believe yours should have the same markings as mine. One section will have a single "-" marking and the other will have a "=" marking. Aligned it will appear as " - = ".

New2MB · #7 10-20-2010, 12:16 AM

Thanks Sam, I'll see if I can find that, is it right on the spline? At the base of the spline? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong area.

The FSM states that it should be marked if it is to be separated so I may not have any marking on mine.

Biodiesel300TD · #8 10-20-2010, 12:17 AM

I split my 240's driveshaft without marking it, and put it back together. That was nearly 60k miles ago and no vibrations or issues as of yet. So I'd just put the two halves back together and not worry about it too much.

apsaulters · #9 10-20-2010, 02:19 AM

Not sure if this is the case for your vehicle, but w123s after July 1982 indicate a range of proper alignment by way of stamps on the two halves of the driveshaft. See attached illustration from the FSM, §41-050.

New2MB · #10 10-20-2010, 09:12 AM

Thanks for the tip, I didn't think to look that far from the split for a mark.

JEBalles · #11 10-20-2010, 11:15 AM

Just a suggestion if you decide to just put 'em back together is, if there are vibe issues, you could but a big ass hose clamp on the shaft and move the weight around until it feels good.

SD Blue · #12 10-20-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2MB

Thanks Sam, I'll see if I can find that, is it right on the spline? At the base of the spline? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong area.

The FSM states that it should be marked if it is to be separated so I may not have any marking on mine.

Yes it's furthur back and the "marks" are a raised "bar" in the casting. If your driveshaft has any accumulated crud and the lighting isn't good, it is little more difficult to see them.

(Another hint for making this job go smoothly: Leave the front flex-disc bolts a little loose (tighten then back off). Lower the vehicle and move it backwards and forwards a few feet. Then raise and retorque the flex disc bolts. Mine didn't seem to seat well at first and caused a vibration. It may not be necessary for yours but this helped for mine.)

New2MB · #13 10-20-2010, 05:39 PM

Thanks for all of the help guys.

It was just like you said; raised bumps on the u-joint and one just forward of the spline on the front shaft.

That was NOT as easy as I was expecting but it all went together as it should.