I am having the cracked flex plate replaced on my 83 300SD. The drive shaft needed a new carrier bearing so decided to do it myself, Problem is, the shaft was handed to me in two pieces and nobody had marked it for proper alignment, I can phase a drive shaft w/multiple u-joints, but w/this MB setup, I'm lost. If anyone can tell me how it is done, I would certainly appreciate it.

Thanks, Steve

 

Steve,

I don't think you have to phase the shaft because the drive shaft uses flex joints at each end. Anyway, I am seeking the same information because I purchased a used driveshaft for purpose of replacing the u-joint and then replacing the entire drive shaft which is in my car. However, what has me thinking about this is I replaced the flex disks and center carrier bearing recently (and was careful to mark how the two shafts came apart in order to maintain alignment) but now I have a vibration under acceleration, which I don't recall having before. Note, I replaced the flex disks and carrier bearing because my car is eating engine mounts about every six months. Anyway, I felt a flat spot in the u-joint when I had it apart and because the u-joint in mine is staked (meaning you can not just remove the circlips and replace the u-joint and MB want to sell you an entire $1000 drive shaft), I sourced a used shaft (which the seller disassembled into two pieces before packing). This, as I mentioned above, is for the purpose of cutting off the yokes and welding new ones on (so i can replace the u-joint if the need arises again in my lifetime). Maybe we should compare notes. Reach out to me at 407-302-3361
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