driveshaft play...PICTURE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Matt565 · #1 06-02-2002, 05:15 AM

I have play in the driveshaft coming from the middle of it. I have attached a picture showing where the "clanking" sound and the play is coming from. What do I need to replace?

Matt

engatwork · #2 06-02-2002, 10:11 AM

Looks like your driveshaft is not properly "set" (to me it looks like it is about to come apart - I would have to climb underneath mine to compare). I don't think you should have that much of the splined shaft showing.
I would recommend taking the driveshaft out, pulling it apart (make sure you mark it) and seeing how badly worn the splined shaft is - otherwise you may be able to loosen the big nut and pull the shaft back over the splined section.

John Plut · #3 06-02-2002, 10:27 AM

Matt,

My '88 260e has been doing the same thing for quite a while now. I have not looked at the shaft spline yet ( the exhaust shield in the way) but when I grab the front and rear shafts and turn them I get a clunk and what feels like excessive movement.

I would be interested to know if this is normal.

crookednose · #4 06-02-2002, 01:46 PM

That picture looks normal except your rubber boot is torn. You need to check the bearing and bearing carrier. It is just left of the spline in your picture. You also need to inspect the forward and aft flexible discs.

MikeTangas · #5 06-02-2002, 02:04 PM

Matt,

The part you have circled in the pic is the centering nut. It only serves to tighten the union of the shafts. When you turn the shafts by hand do you see actual movement at the union? If you have actual movement at the union I'd say you'll be needing a new (or from the breaker) set of shafts.

I would be looking at the carrier bearing (center mount). Does the shaft have up/down movement or side to side when you wiggle it by hand? The rubber of that mount will deteriorate and allow the shaft to move but due to the steel "wrap" of the mount body you cannot see the condition of the rubber with the shaft in the tunnel.

If time allows I'll try to get a peek at the shaft union on the 560 today to see how much of the spline is visible - for comparison.

Keep us posted.

Matt565 · #6 06-02-2002, 06:28 PM

The movement is definately side to side, not up and down. I have a new carrier bushing, but I don't think that is the problem, so I have not yet installed it. I just put in a new front flex disc last week. I also have a new rear flex disc and rear differential mounts sitting out there, but the play is coming from the part of the picture that I have circled.

Matt