Need some help on this. Today I finally got time to work on replacing the flex discs and the center bearing on my 83 300D. I got the drive shaft apart and all taken out, got the new center bearing put on and started putting it all back in.

Currently the drive shaft is back together and partly in the car (yes I marked it before I took it apart and put it back the same way),but here is where the problem starts. I cannot get the drive shaft and new rear flex disc compressed enough to fit at the differential yoke. It seems to be about 1/4" too long even when prying on it with a flat bar.

At this point the new front flex disc is attached to the transmission and the front part of the drive shaft is connected to the new front flex disc. The six bolts at the front flex disc are snug but not torqued down. The center bearing is not bolted up at all and the transmission mount brace has been disconnected and removed. The new rear flex disc is bolted up to the diffferential yoke but not torqued down. Lastly the big 46MM adjusting nut at the driveshaft halves is completely loose.

What do I need to do to get this last 1/4" of clearance to get the rear of the driveshaft to fit? Is it as simple as torquing all the front flex disc bolts, or attaching and tightening the 46MM adjusting nut, or??

It is really frustrating to be this close. Fortunately, I have a back up car to use right now but I would like to get it done soon, according to the weather we have about 3 days of solid rain on the way.

Thanks for any and all help

Glenn

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 102K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 238K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 211K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 246K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 384K (diesel commuter)