About a week ago I posted for info on a noise that sounde like marbles rolling around in the transmission that seams to apear at about 65 MPH. This is what I have found so far.

I removed the rear bearing of the transmission. It was gritty until I cleaned it out, but I'm not shure if maybe I got some dirt in it duing the removal process. It feels fine now but I will replace it anyway. The center bearing support looked like it was starting to break down but I couldnt pictur it causing a noise.

I did find two other things that may be leading to the noise. The "U" joint is a bit stiff. I also found the rubber boot covering the drive shaft spline at the center bearing ripped and allowing a pice to hang off and possibly hit somethig as it rotates. This to me looks like the most promising source of the noise.

So hopefully between the transmission output bearing, center bearing support and bearing, U-joint and spine cover. One of these will fix the problem. If anyone has any other ideas please dont be shy.

Also this U-joint looks like its going to be alot of fun to replace. The caps are swaged in. Can anyone offer some tips here.

John Roncallo

After much frustration of trying to find the noise in my transmission, I isolated it down to 1 of 5 components. First I was well convinced that the noise was comming from within the transmission. I inspected the governer it looked OK. I then looked at the books and realized the transmission used a ball bearing on the output shaft. I thought for sure this was it. But I pulled that and it did not appear to have any significant problems. I replaced it anyway but knew I had to dig deeper. I then removed the exhaust and found the center bearing support saging tward the bottom, nothjing I suspected would make the noise but nevertheless time to replace it. While I was there I replaced the bearing as well. I also noticed the rubber boot was torn with a piece of rubber whipping arround and possibly hitting the support frame. I also noticed the u-joint was slightly stiff in one area Of all the parts I replaced nothing was really bad that I would have expected it to make a noise but the drive shaft was definatly in need of the boot, center support and u-joint. If I had to pick one part that may have caused the noise I would have to blame it in the boot.

In any case with those 5 pieces replaced the noise is no longer there.

Incidently I have seen several references that say you cant replace the u-joint on the 560sl. It is staked in and has to be restaked in when you replace it. Non of the traditional MB on-line stores carry the u-joint. But Partsamerica.com does have it. And so far it works fine.

John Roncallo

It's all in your head!

You are paranoid......and need help!

Buy something Japanese, and sleep at night! bUSY bENZ............