Author Topic: Assembly of the prop shaft centering  (Read 1717 times)

afibbe

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Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« on: February 06, 2023, 02:13:36 »
Does anybody have a trick to compress the spring enough to install the snap ring?
Alex Fibbe
1966 230SL
USA, Cincinnati, OH

Harry

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Re: Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2023, 02:09:41 »
No experience but based on your photos, it looks tricky.  I’d probably think about a jig that reaches in through the back hole and grabs the spring to pull it into a compressed position just enough to give you the clearance you need to install the snap ring.
Harry Bailey
Knoxville, TN
1966 230SL
Automatic

DaveB

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Re: Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2023, 05:00:09 »
If you have a short section of square rod the same length as the spring diameter, you might be able to compress the parts in a vice like this:
DaveB
'65 US 230sl 4-speed, DB190

afibbe

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Re: Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2023, 03:28:03 »
Thanks. I will see what I have in my collection of spare stuff.
Alex Fibbe
1966 230SL
USA, Cincinnati, OH

DaveB

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Re: Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2023, 03:13:16 »
However you do it I'd advise safety glasses, that spring looks mighty strong.
DaveB
'65 US 230sl 4-speed, DB190

afibbe

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Re: Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2023, 02:25:15 »
I got it done using my bench vise and a washer. The key was a washer that was the same diameter as the spring. I placed the clip over the spring and the washer over the the clip. Holding these in place while I tightened the vise until it stopped. Squeezing the clip and tightening the vice pushed the clip into place.
Alex Fibbe
1966 230SL
USA, Cincinnati, OH

DaveB

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Re: Assembly of the prop shaft centering
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2023, 04:40:49 »
nice job!
DaveB
'65 US 230sl 4-speed, DB190