Jovsky

Last friday, I brought my car to the MB dealer to have it inspected since the car's check engine light keeps on popping up & off every now and then after I have changed the pre & post cat oxygen sensors and changed the fuel cap. The tech told me that the MAF sensor just needs cleaning and the car's check engine light will not come up again.

After the inspection, the tech handed me a report printout that my car has other issues to get fixed soon:

1. Replace coolant tank (Found coolant leak)
2. Replace front flex disc (Found front flex disc cracking)
3. Replace ball joints (Joint has excessive freeplay)

My question is: does anyone has an idea what a front flex disc is? Where is it located? Anyone has a picture of the flex disc? As for the other issues, I will probably fix them myself.

Many thanks for all your help, guys!

P.S. Sorry for posting here instead of in the regular W202 forum since I know many friends here and this forum rocks!

503C43 ////AMG

Here are screen shots from the WIS, I replaced both flex discs when I bought my C43 as they were cracking.













Open the first picture attached and look at number 20, that is where the front flex disc is located.

Hope this helps

amo1858

If you can't tell from those pics above a flex disc I'd a u-joint

Jovsky

Thanks a lot Buddy! (2 thumbs-up)

I'd check them out this weekend.

KJI3jflarryfe93

on what mileage does both flexdiscs crack at?
is it on both low and high mileage cars?
it's a wear n tear rubber part, does heat from the exhaust pipes come near the flex discs and causing them to detoriate?

DRBC43AMG

I imagine that these items should be checked at each service. If it seems one is on the way out, get both changed. Get you car on a lift and spent some time to nose around and get to know what it looks like underneath It helps to see if any rust is creeping in, parts which look weird, etc.

503C43 ////AMG

They just wear over time (we do have 300 ft/lbs of torque you know )

They are cheap and easy to replace, I think I paid $90 per flex disc. I replaced the rear in less than 20 minutes but I had the front replaced while I was having other work done, I can't imagine the front one being much more difficult than the rear.

KJI3jflarryfe93

you think my flexdisc might be bad with crack issues when my car only covered 61000 miles = 97.700 km?
massive heat kills anything!

Jovsky

I'm glad that I brought the car to the dealer and have them inspect it thoroughly. Now, I get a printout of what items need fixing. After all, they can't force you to let them fix the car at their dealer.

I will be starting to cross out the items need fixing one by one hopefully by this weekend. Need to shell out more time and $$$ for this project though.

Thanks guys for all the support!

KJI3jflarryfe93

good luck buddy, make sure you get quality replacement parts.

Jasssc

Jovsky!
I did the sane thing at the MB dealer an they let me know everything wrong. Very handy so I can just go down the list

One of mine was also the flex disk. Check on this forum for my post about "Finally new Brakes" (I'm on my iPhone, otherwise I would put a link)
It has a picture of my old flexdisk plus numerous posts about how dangerous it is if it goes out.

Get that fixed as soon as you can!!

MarcusF

A couple of installation notes –

On a CLK, the rear flex disc is easy. The front requires dropping the mid section of the exhaust. That's easy too, but an extra step over the rear.

The OE flex disc has "vorne" written in the rubber - that side faces the front of the car.

The flex disc has 6 metal sleeves. 3 are flush, 3 are raised. The raised sleeve seats in the flange. Do it wrong and the bolts will be the only thing holding the disc in place, and it won’t hold for long. Pay attention when removing the old one and this will make perfect sense.

Have all the bolts out, but it won't come off the driveshaft? You'll need a hammer.

Lastly, do not put it off. A broken flex disc allows the driveshaft to spin wildly out of control. Out of control to where the rear section of the transmission can be physically broken and the floor pan ripped open.

DRBC43AMG

Great stuff as usual Marcus Can't stress the point that these items need to be checked. We don't want forum members losing feet or legs if the shaft rips through the floor pan Just play safe everyone

Jovsky

Many thanks for all the help guys! With the list I obtained from the dealer, I'll surely cross them out this weekend starting with the flex disc.

Glad I found this forum and found a lot of good friends!

Jovsky

Got the pic of the flex disc off your thread link. Thanks man!

Jovsky

@Kowalski: Better have your flex discs checked too buddy. Its better to be safe than regret later...

KJI3jflarryfe93

I got my car back from my mekanik today on Thursday.
He did a B-service at 97000 miles.
He checked the flexdiscs and he said they were still healthy.
Lucky me!

Frank Castle

Do these disks come as a set when you order them? I see one site has description as "front" and offers no "rear", Bilsteien brand other site has description as 'set" a little more.

503C43 ////AMG

I am not sure who offers them as a set but I bought mine individually.

Frank Castle

OK Thanks.

I got this and this to compare so far. I have been happy with the USautoparts prices and delivery times. But as far as answers...well dont ask if you need one. Looks like Autohauz may be winner on this order.

cm60k

Does anyone tried "Febi"...?, cause i'm always like to put "Bogi or Lemforder"........

ZAYED,,

DRBC43AMG

I would go for the second comparison (Febi Bilstein). Should and looks good with a nice price too

320 dreamer

marcusf any chance the srt8 flex coupler would work in place of the oem? its a solid un it vs a layered unit and looks stronger. good enough for the 6.1 v8. just wondering

StapleGun

Just bought those for mine - figured with 140K on the odometer, it's not a bad idea. Got 'em from my usual Autohaus in AZ...I saw these pictures (MarcusF alluded to and immediately purchased) - LINK

DRBC43AMG

Jeeezzzzzzzz guess a regular close check is good insurance to avoid a MAJOR disaster. Photos are worth a million words