Flex disk problem
 

I took my 79 300d to an independant for a 4 wheel alignment, and to replace the flex disks.

When I picked it up he informed me he changed the rear disk, but not the front because one of the bolts are stripped and the nut wont come off.

He said its to close to cut with a torch, so he left it alone. Now I'm concerned about only having two bolts intact.

Has anyone had to deal with this before and how did you do it? Would an air chisel work or are the bolts too hard?

He said the front disk looks good and I have no excessive vibration, yet I know this needs to be fixed.

Any ideas will be appreciated

Did he mean the threads or the bolt head is stripped?

Answer
 

That should be the Allen head bolts = drill the head off, get the flex Disc out of the way, and the bolt shaft should slide out of the transmission flange.

Warning:
Do not cut through the drive shaft alignment finger.
I have used a Sawzall to cut through the flex Disc and bolts.


Driveshaft, Axle & Wheel bearing
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=142402










Have a great day.

As I recall, the nut-end of the bolt faces the tranny. If you drill/cut the bolt-head off, how will you get the rest out?
I'd reccommend drilling two or three small holes inline on the nut (may need a cobalt drill-bit here), then splitting the nut with a chisel.
May need to remove the tranny-mount/bracket for more clearance here.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Just do as suggested above,chop the bolt off with a Sawzall. The bolts MUST be replaced everytime a disc is replaced . Old nuts will always come loose if reused.
Running with a loose old bolt on an old disc is asking for trouble.
I don't have pics but a customer did just that last week and without warning the disc came apart,the drive shaft swung in an arc and smashed the rear mount and the governor housing off the rear of the trans. The spider on the front of the shaft was ripped off .
There was no vibration ,but the other shop he went to told him the noise he could hear was the diff.

Answer
 

Once you have the flex disc off the transmission flange, the remaining bolt stud is easy to cut off..

Thanks Guys

Where I live I cannot work on the vehicle, so I have to depend on someone else or go to a parking lot for small fixes.

Every indy mechanic I talk to seems to have an undeniable fear when I say Mercedes. The closest Mercedes dealer is 35 miles away, not to keen on going there anyhow.

The front disk wasnt removed, and it looks good, but I wont have piece of mind until its changed. The rear disk was weathered, but intact. When I bought the car in Dec at 165000 (odometer not working) the seller had no idea it even had flex disks.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge

Yeah. That's a real problem when you live in a place where mechanics won't touch your car, and you aren't permitted to work on it yourself!
Any chance you might have a friend there that will let you use his carport or driveway?

Happy Motoring, Mark

Incorporate your location in your request
 

You May Live close by to someone on the forum who can help.

I'm in San Bernardino Ca, West side near Rialto, about three miles north of I-10 and 1/2 mile east of Pepper ave.

I see several 123's running around this area.

If anyone is nearby, I'd be happy to pay you to do the job.

Thanks for the tip.

Bat