Can I change the two flexible coupling without exhaust and propeller shaft removal

Thanks for any advise

I would like to have any advice about the renewal of those flexible coupling on the propeller shaft of the 280SE(W126) 1985

I know its hard to wait for a response to your thread...especially when almost a day passes.

People do posts responses when they can be of help.

There are many W126 experts in this forum, and yours is not a common question, such as "what oil should I use", etc.

You will get a response soon...from someone who can give you REAL help.

Hope I didn't give you any false hopes when you saw the counter change on your thread...

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2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Marexke,

I removed the front flex disk without touching the exhaust or propeller shaft. I couldn't put in the new flex disk so I dropped the exhaust and center bearing. In retrospect, I think I could have put in the new flex disk if I dropped the rear transmission crossmember (4 bolts). Support the transmission on a jack and see if you can move it enough. Don't move it too much since all the hoses are still in place. Also, the fan might hit the radiator.

The exhaust was already off when I did the rear so I don't know if it would have been possible to change the rear with the exhaust in place.

This was all on the SD. The exhaust of the SE is considerably more difficult to remove. That's probably why you ask

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I managed to change the disk on a 86 300e without removing anything. I used a bottle jack to force the engine and transmission slightly forward enuf to allow the disk to be replaced. There was a place that worked nicely between the body and the transmission housing.Only had to move it about .75 inches or so. The motor and transmission mounts will easily give that much.

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I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

Dave,

How'd it go with the rear flex disk?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I did not have to change the rear one. So havent done that yet. Although it looks easier since the coupling is more accessable (as best I can remember).

__________________
I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

Certainly more accessible. I'm wondering if the prop shaft will slide forward because the differential sure isn't moving rearward.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I'll be finding out how to do this in a S124 shortly -- I suspect the proper way is to take down the center bearing after removing the bolts on the flex disk (front) -- should just give enough clearance to remove/replace the disk.

On the older models there is a nut under the rubber boot beside the center bearing that is loosened, allowing the front shaft half to push back.

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!

I agree. If you do not take down the center bearing, the rubber support around the center bearing may break when you try to move the shaft forward during the process of disconnecting the rear flex disk. When it breaks, you will feel and hear the bearing hammering the floor board few times during acceleration.

David

I am hearing a small clunk and have an appointment with my mechanic to take a look at my car next week. My feeling is the center support bearing as I cannot see any problem in the two flex disks.

The drive shaft has a slight free play in the rotational direction but I think that is normal.

Question:

If I change the center bearing, we what else I should change in that area?

Thanks.

Bo

Would it be likely that the center bearing has failed if you hear the noise David described during DEceleration? On my E, something is making a hammering sound (sounds like the "Wheel of Fortune" or the sound a diesel truck makes when decelerating) when I decelerate (braking or accelerator pedal completely off) from speeds higher than 50 or so. The noise stops instantly when I accelerate again and doesn't present itself at any constant speed. It also doesn't present itself when I'm decelerating slowly and smoothly, easing off the pedal (if that makes sense), just the sudden stuff, like when some bozo moves into my lane in front of me, moving significantly slower than I am.

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David

His:
2003 Dodge Durango SLT
2002 BMW E39 530i Sport
1988 Mercedes 300TE
Hers:
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
1999 E430

dtanes:

I experience the same.

I also experience this if I accelerate suddenly. For example, if the car is coasting at 25 mph and I suddenly push the gas pedal hard, I can hear the noise.

Something has to be loose in the drive train. The flex disk looked OK. So I think, in my case, it is the center bearing. It could also be the differential. I checked the differential mounts and they looked OK as well.

The rotational free play I mentioned earlier can also be felt at the rear drive shaft.

I ran out of space to see if the play is between the front and rear drive shaft. The car has to be on a lift foe me to try that.

Bo