300E 300TE driveshaft

1990 MB 300TE 2wd Drive shaft u-joint in the middle of the two drive shaft "tubes" has play in it. I went under the car with my "second-opinion" mechanic (a BMW specialist) and he showed me how he could turn the front drive shaft tube and produce a small "klunk" as the rear shaft tube started to turn. There is play in the "u-joint" thingie that connects the two tubes.

My primary mechanic (Mercedes specialist) says I can just replace the joint in the middle, no problem.

My second-opinion mechanic says I need to drop the entire drive shaft, send it in as a core trade-in, and purchase a re-manufactured shaft unit that has been balanced ($400). He says if we just do the joint, the shaft will be unbalanced, leading to more serious problems.

Flex-discs have been replaced, but there is a definite lurch when the car shifts when not under engine load. When under higher rpms and under load, the car shifts much better, much smoother.

Does anyone have experience with this? Feedback is appreciated. Jason

Reply to
Jason M.
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...would appreciate any experience/feedback as well, since I have the exact same symptoms.

thanks alex

190E 160K mi

"Jason M." schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com...

Reply to
Alex Hemmerich

I found some info in a thread in alt.auto.mercedes:

I think you should visually check for differential bushings, driveshaft front and back flex couplings, ck. rear transmission mount, center drive shaft bearing and its rubber mounting. Also look at rear susp. control arm bushings. Anyone of these might give enough slack to cause a noticeable bumps. ... Don't replace transmission until confirming these things are OK first. Do the little stuff before doing the BIG cost stuff.

I have done the following:

  1. front/rear flex discs (coupling)
  2. rear differential bushings (expensive, that one. had to drop the axle)

I guess I'll pursue more info from my mechanic on the center drive bearing and its rubber mounting. I bet that is the problem. Jason

Reply to
Jason M.

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