Project W111 Driveshaft Woes

[perry113]

The biggest challenge I've had most most recently is getting the remaining missing parts and most importantly the rear portion of the driveshaft from Ensign's garage. It seemed to somehow vanish in his parts inventory  

Having lost my patience waiting and waiting and waiting for him to move an inch to look for it among other things I've been forced to look for an alternative. I finally got a hold of an alternative today that we believe came out of a 250SE. It measures 42 inches (see the pictures) from end to end not counting the center bearing. I took a few shots below of what I have. I am missing the threaded plates that hold the center bearing in the tunnel. Not sure if I can get them from Benz or if I have to make them.

I wondering if the rear shaft is too short based on the amount exposed area of the spline. Maybe I'm wrong and this is correct. I've been told many of the rear shafts in this era were the same length and it was the front shafts that differed in size. Once I know I got the right combination I will take the entire unit and send it down the machine shop to have it counter balanced.

Take a look at the photos and let me know if this stuff looks right.

[perry113]

more pictures

[perry113]

Now that I got a drive shaft from another source, Ensign finally came out the woodwork and came up with the original one. Perfect timing. It is, in fact, identical in size (42 inches) to the alternative shaft that came out of the 250SE.

I tried to get the front and rear shaft counterbalanced locally, but apparently, I was told they could not do it. I have several ways I can connect the front and rear to find its original setup. It will be a alot trail and error. Hopefully I won't experience a shimmy. 

I will have to make threaded slide plates for the center bearing as the originals are lost in space and it seems apparent that MB does not provide a listing for them.

The saga of Project W111 continues......

[ja17]

Hello Perry,

If you would like me to drop a used pair in the mail, let me know.