1983 300SD. I removed the 6 bolts from the rear flex plate to remove the driveshaft. Marked where it is to keep it balanced when reinstalling. Nothing is moving What easy part am I missong. It is hard to see if I do not know what I am looking for. Thank you for your help.

You need to loosen the big nut that is around the d'shaft near the bearing support (I don't remember if it is in front of or behind the support). Remove all the fasteners from the front flex disc next (sounds like you already have the back flex disc fasteners out). The shaft should then slide "together" where you loosened the big nut enough to shorten it a little and get the clearance to take it out. Don't forget to remove the bearing support fasteners too.

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Jim

To add to Jim's good advice, the flex discs can be pretty much "stuck" in place and have to be pried loose.

BTW, you don't have to put alignment marks on the two crankshaft halves, they are already marked there are two "knots" on one piece that match one "knot" on the other piece. Marking the position of the flanges on each end is a good idea and maybe that's what you were talking about.

Good luck,

Thanks guys. I will get a chance to look later today.

when larry said pry, that means seriously pry. the metal collars inside the flex disk can get a little bit of corrosion on them, and are very stubborn. its frustrating if you dont have a lift to get leverage, but keep prying and it will come out (although you might ruin a flex disk in the process).

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Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
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1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
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1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

What type of tool (or tools) do you use to remove those two big nuts that hold the sleeve together? Two really big sixed adjustable pliers or did you spring for the wrenches?

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

I use a 15" Adjustable wrench. You only need one if you put the car in gear or park or have the rear wheels on the ground or emergency brake firmly set. Anything to keep the prop shaft from turning.

Good luck,

why does the nut need to be undone to get the front driveshaft out ? I have never had to do this

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1982 300SD (214 k, excellent shape) kidmobile running mostly biodiesel, gets 31 mpg hwy with 2.82 rear from a euro 500SEL



1976 115 body 240D 4-speed (traded for Jeep parts) - Engine lives on in my CJ7

I was trying to get the rear driveshaft out. Am I working on the wrong one?

I guess I don't quite know what you are referring to when you say rear driveshaft. If you are going to remove the driveshaft remove the complete shaft then if you need to separate the two pieces mark them (if you can't find the marks) and separate them. You are talking about the driveshaft that runs front to back and NOT the 1/2 shafts that come out of the differential arn't you.

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Jim

Rear "half" of the driveshaft is solid, you have to loosen the clamp nut on the front "half" and drop the center bearing carrier to move the rear driveshaft off the flex disk.

Rear axles don't come off that easily....

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

If you are just dropping the rear end of the "rear drive shaft", you can undo the 6 bolts (or just 3 for that matter) where it meets the diff.

Note what the guys said above. This confused me when I first did it. The bolts travel through a metal collar (as was mentioned), but these collars are pressed into the rubber flex disc. Without a careful look, it appears that the shaft should just fall down, but you need to pry it apart (1/4" or so) before the collars pop out of the flex disc.

This cost me some precious time once when I needed to pull the car across the country with a disconnected drive shaft.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
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'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
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'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
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