Hi guys,

I have this annoying clink sound from the D/Shaft, I got under the car and wrestled with the shaft, I can reproduce the same noise when I move the shaft sideways and up and down, It sounds almost exactly like a worn U joint. I do not have any running humming or vibration Im a bit confused. as I would need to take down the exhaust and heat shields to see the center bearing if its shot or the cushion is shot I need advice on it.

Does a worn bearing make for a clinking driveshaft? - I have got a new French SKF explorer 6006-2RS1 bearing, which is correct and also can get an IMC driveshaft bearing cushion from a mechanic who has it lying around. As this is my DD, I need some advice so I can tackle it all at once over the weekend.

btw - flex discs are good - I replaced the front one about a year ago and everything is tight upfront. Its the rear where is sloppy and its sloppy right at the bearing carrier (assuming only as I cant see it behind the heat shield.)

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Every 2 piece shaft that I'vs seen has a center bearing and carrier. 85SD has center bearing mounted in rubber carrier. Rubber let loose on mine and caused imbalance apparent at speed.

Since you want it to run, you either need to look at it or order all parts or guess at what you will need. There are flex disk(s), carrier, bearing, rubber boots & centering bushing.

I replaced all so I'd be done then car was hit & replacement SD may need repair also. (Still driving hit car for now so don't want to scavenge parts. Your choice on procedure.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I know there is a carrier - Im just saying that I cannot see it because my car has a big exhaust heat shield that covers it. What I meant was that does a bad bearing/cushion cause clinking or does a worn out U-joint cause this.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

There are no u-joints in the Mercedes I've looked at SD, SDL, D. There is very minimal movement in the rubber center support, no clicking.

If you have noise from the center, replace bearing and carrier. Perhaps only the carrier is loose but you won't know until you look. You can likely see the rear flex disk with drive shaft installed.

I would also change the rear flex disk, bushing and any rubber that hasn't been changed as preventive maintenance - especially if I didn't have another car. Besides, winter will soon be here and I don't like crawling around in the gravel in the cold.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Older merc vehicles do in fact have a center u-joint. I do not know about your vehicle. My shop thought my ujoint was bad (68 220D), but it turned out that it is the spline that connects the two pieces of the driveshaft. I can make it clunk by moving each driveshaft piece relative to each other. I tried to tighten the nut around the spline, but could not eliminate all the play. My center bearing and bushing are fine. As is my u-joint. So basically, if you car is similar to mine, a loose center spline is a third option that might be causing the clinking sound that you describe.

You do have a u-joint and that is more likely to be the problem than the carrier bearing. That is probably not the source of a clicking sound. If the rubber mount is completely shot, or the threaded unions that fasten the bearing holder to the body have failed I suppose that's possible. In any event, you need to get in there and find out before you have a roadside failure.

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Chief

1991 350SD

There is a U joint in the shaft and its right up at the center bearing and I know its peened into place (not replaceable with hand tools).. Well I think its time to ramp it up and check with mirrors and what not.. I have had old RWD cars clink and one was making this sound due to no grease on the splines, A good coat of CV joint grease fixed that but it was an old mazda.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

My 300D and 240D have a U-Joint, I had them replaced.

The 123, 124 and 126 have a 2 piece drive line. flex disc on either end, center support bearing and U-Joint in the center.
The rear section has the center support bearing and U-joint, and a male splined shaft. the front section has the female part of the spline.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works