Drive Shaft Repairs & Updates
Drive Shaft Repairs & Updates
My 1985 MB 300D Greazzer got some new parts, cost about $650, but I do have a new driveshaft, flex disks, output shaft and nut. Here are some pictures of the parts.
The driveshaft is modified. It has grease fittings where as the factory unit was a sealed unit. In so far as a solid, one piece driveshaft, I called around and the general consensus is that it can be done, but it will damage the transmission and differential. Not sure if its true or not. In any event, this was a royal PITA job. I am still not confident that the flex plates are on correctly. The bolts were incredibly difficult to tighten up and not sure if it was supposed to be that difficult. I am thinking about swapping out the bolts as I do not like the hex vs. regular bolt plus it was a choir just to tighten them up. Any ideas ???????????
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
About 3 weeks ago while driving home doing at least 70 mph my car had zero acceleration, no gears, nothing. After towing it home, I believed my transmission was shot. Not so. There is a nut that holds the transmission output flange. This put my car out of commission for 3 weeks. So, if you're ever just driving along and you have nothing, take a look at the output flange first. I have some pictures of the old one. It's toast.
My 1985 MB 300D Greazzer got some new parts, cost about $650, but I do have a new driveshaft, flex disks, output shaft and nut. Here are some pictures of the parts.
The driveshaft is modified. It has grease fittings where as the factory unit was a sealed unit. In so far as a solid, one piece driveshaft, I called around and the general consensus is that it can be done, but it will damage the transmission and differential. Not sure if its true or not. In any event, this was a royal PITA job. I am still not confident that the flex plates are on correctly. The bolts were incredibly difficult to tighten up and not sure if it was supposed to be that difficult. I am thinking about swapping out the bolts as I do not like the hex vs. regular bolt plus it was a choir just to tighten them up. Any ideas ???????????
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
yeah, here it is.
http://www.dieselgiant.com/Mercedes%20fl...ailure.htm
Nice body, tons of ridiculous mechanical issues - 300d turbo 82' /motor 85'
I saw a picture one time, I think on dieselgiant. The front flex disc had failed and pretty well threw the drive shaft up through the center of the unibody. Looked pretty gruesome.
yeah, here it is.
http://www.dieselgiant.com/Mercedes%20fl...ailure.htm
Nice body, tons of ridiculous mechanical issues - 300d turbo 82' /motor 85'
82 300SD aka The Flyin Pumpkin (Gone): 7.5mm super M-pump, T3 60 trim turbo, Coldish air intake, A/W intercooler, propane injection, SW Boost and EGT gauges, Monark 265 nozzles, ported/polished cylinder head.
84 Euro 300D 4 sp: White with black trunk and hood. Blue cloth interior. Manual everything. 300DT front swaybar. C320 17" wheels. Now with the Flyin Pumpkins engine!
My output flange got borked too. I actually broke the output shaft from having to do an emergency weld job on it. Its back together now. You're right about it being a PITA. I fought mine apart and back together. The dowels on the flex discs just did NOT want to line up and slide into the flanges. I've used the regular hex head bolts and allen headed bolts for the flex discs. I think I liked the regular bolts just a little more.
82 300SD aka The Flyin Pumpkin (Gone): 7.5mm super M-pump, T3 60 trim turbo, Coldish air intake, A/W intercooler, propane injection, SW Boost and EGT gauges, Monark 265 nozzles, ported/polished cylinder head.
84 Euro 300D 4 sp: White with black trunk and hood. Blue cloth interior. Manual everything. 300DT front swaybar. C320 17" wheels. Now with the Flyin Pumpkins engine!
Ooppsss ... forgot picture of odometer.. Sorry
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
Still not 100% sure if I installed the flex disks correctly, but my ride is a lot smother. I still have a lot of throttle left, but the FSM says my trans will only handle 104 mph, so I did not want to push the old girl since she has a lot more miles than the odometer says. I finally got the odometer fixed by a dentist in CT who drilled a hole and inserted a pin in the gear onto the shfit.
Ooppsss ... forgot picture of odometer.. Sorry
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
1982 300D Turbo ... 3,6xxlbs, No fan, No AC, Hood Stack, No ALDA, No rear bumper and stuffed front, A/W Intercooled, Injectors by Greezer and HUGE Pre-Chambers with help from OM616 & Simpler=Better, Fuel Cranked up, 60 Trim Compressor wheel, EGT, EMP, Boost 50" Rigid Radius bar on roof Aux tank for a total of 48 Gal Of Diesel! Odyssey PC-1750 Battery in trunk, 27"x8.5"/R14 Maxxis BigHorn Mud Terrains, In June '14 issue of Off Road Mag
AX15 Jeep Trans swap in progress....
Captain America
07-25-2011, 08:44 PM #5Nice!
1982 300D Turbo ... 3,6xxlbs, No fan, No AC, Hood Stack, No ALDA, No rear bumper and stuffed front, A/W Intercooled, Injectors by Greezer and HUGE Pre-Chambers with help from OM616 & Simpler=Better, Fuel Cranked up, 60 Trim Compressor wheel, EGT, EMP, Boost 50" Rigid Radius bar on roof Aux tank for a total of 48 Gal Of Diesel! Odyssey PC-1750 Battery in trunk, 27"x8.5"/R14 Maxxis BigHorn Mud Terrains, In June '14 issue of Off Road Mag
AX15 Jeep Trans swap in progress....
As for the transmission guru's out there, any way to start a definitive thread / stickie? I realize my driveshaft may be a waste of money if I get a different transmission, but I can now see how incredible this old, 5 cylinder engine is with minor tweaks .... I could have easily hit 105 mph on a flat road! I would further assume that if I adjusted my turbo (it's stock), installed my M+W injection system, 15" tires, 2.88 rear, and other minor mods, this engine could easily do 120 mph. Also, I am in the process of getting rid of most of the mechanical pumps -- switching over to electric steering, water, and vacuum pumps. Once I tackle these issues, and investigate carbon fiber panels, I am going to locate a race track and see if I can go all out and hit 140 mph as my goal.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
So, I finally see one of the main reasons to upgrade the transmission. Assuming the FSM is accurate in that 104 mph is the limit, then having the world's best engine is really limited in that the stock trans can only handle 104 mph. I appreciate that one could possibly go over that without an issue, but with high miles, why risk a major problem? I wish there was a plug and play solution to the transmission issue. I see a lot of threads, however.
As for the transmission guru's out there, any way to start a definitive thread / stickie? I realize my driveshaft may be a waste of money if I get a different transmission, but I can now see how incredible this old, 5 cylinder engine is with minor tweaks .... I could have easily hit 105 mph on a flat road! I would further assume that if I adjusted my turbo (it's stock), installed my M+W injection system, 15" tires, 2.88 rear, and other minor mods, this engine could easily do 120 mph. Also, I am in the process of getting rid of most of the mechanical pumps -- switching over to electric steering, water, and vacuum pumps. Once I tackle these issues, and investigate carbon fiber panels, I am going to locate a race track and see if I can go all out and hit 140 mph as my goal.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
But top speed for the car when its STOCK probly is 104.
hp mods, gears and such will change top speed but it doesn't mean the second you go over 104 the transmission will explode.
1982 300D Turbo ... 3,6xxlbs, No fan, No AC, Hood Stack, No ALDA, No rear bumper and stuffed front, A/W Intercooled, Injectors by Greezer and HUGE Pre-Chambers with help from OM616 & Simpler=Better, Fuel Cranked up, 60 Trim Compressor wheel, EGT, EMP, Boost 50" Rigid Radius bar on roof Aux tank for a total of 48 Gal Of Diesel! Odyssey PC-1750 Battery in trunk, 27"x8.5"/R14 Maxxis BigHorn Mud Terrains, In June '14 issue of Off Road Mag
AX15 Jeep Trans swap in progress....
Captain America
07-26-2011, 11:31 PM #7The transmission isn't limited by mph...
But top speed for the car when its STOCK probly is 104.
hp mods, gears and such will change top speed but it doesn't mean the second you go over 104 the transmission will explode.
1982 300D Turbo ... 3,6xxlbs, No fan, No AC, Hood Stack, No ALDA, No rear bumper and stuffed front, A/W Intercooled, Injectors by Greezer and HUGE Pre-Chambers with help from OM616 & Simpler=Better, Fuel Cranked up, 60 Trim Compressor wheel, EGT, EMP, Boost 50" Rigid Radius bar on roof Aux tank for a total of 48 Gal Of Diesel! Odyssey PC-1750 Battery in trunk, 27"x8.5"/R14 Maxxis BigHorn Mud Terrains, In June '14 issue of Off Road Mag
AX15 Jeep Trans swap in progress....
And that was running pure WVO
1987 300D: EGR Delete, ARV Delete, Cold Air Intake...
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
I was running the grease when I hit 96 ....
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
(07-21-2011, 10:50 PM)Greazzer The driveshaft is modified. It has grease fittings where as the factory unit was a sealed unit. In so far as a solid, one piece driveshaft, I called around and the general consensus is that it can be done, but it will damage the transmission and differential. Not sure if its true or not.
The diff and engine and trans are in fixed position as far as forward and backward movement, and the flex joints are there to take up whatever movement there is as far as torque. Personally, im not sure why mercedes even decided to add a U-joint to this driveshaft setup since it doesn't really need it, probably just for removal and service actually. If it didn't bend there, it would be a major pain to remove.
These guys would be right if you had a solid rear axle and no slip yoke on the tranny to make up for suspension movement, but since you have an independent rear suspension, fixed diff, and flange attachments, as well as a well proven setup thats on hundreds of different cars for the last 50 years, you are assuming no additional risk.
Just think about how most of these trannys and diffs easily go for 200,000 to 300,000 miles without any issue. I replaced the diff in my old 83 300D at 340,000 miles to change the ratio, and it was still in great shape.
1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van
(07-21-2011, 10:50 PM)Greazzer The driveshaft is modified. It has grease fittings where as the factory unit was a sealed unit. In so far as a solid, one piece driveshaft, I called around and the general consensus is that it can be done, but it will damage the transmission and differential. Not sure if its true or not.
The diff and engine and trans are in fixed position as far as forward and backward movement, and the flex joints are there to take up whatever movement there is as far as torque. Personally, im not sure why mercedes even decided to add a U-joint to this driveshaft setup since it doesn't really need it, probably just for removal and service actually. If it didn't bend there, it would be a major pain to remove.
These guys would be right if you had a solid rear axle and no slip yoke on the tranny to make up for suspension movement, but since you have an independent rear suspension, fixed diff, and flange attachments, as well as a well proven setup thats on hundreds of different cars for the last 50 years, you are assuming no additional risk.
Just think about how most of these trannys and diffs easily go for 200,000 to 300,000 miles without any issue. I replaced the diff in my old 83 300D at 340,000 miles to change the ratio, and it was still in great shape.
1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van
I was under the impression some special tools were needed to get the flange of the trans.
1987 300D Sturmmachine
1991 300D Nearly Perfect
1985 300D Weekend/Camping/Dog car
1974 L508D Motoroam Monarch "NightMare"
OBK #42
There is an angle of deflection on that U joint. It bends under stop start pressure particularly.
I was under the impression some special tools were needed to get the flange of the trans.
1987 300D Sturmmachine
1991 300D Nearly Perfect
1985 300D Weekend/Camping/Dog car
1974 L508D Motoroam Monarch "NightMare"
OBK #42
You do need a special socket I was told for that weirdo looking nut. You can use a 30 mm deepwell OR channel locks, and then the old screw driver chisel trick with some locktite.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
No special tool to get the output flange off at all. It just slides off and on.
You do need a special socket I was told for that weirdo looking nut. You can use a 30 mm deepwell OR channel locks, and then the old screw driver chisel trick with some locktite.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
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