Driveshaft vibration

[larryled]

This past weekend while driving my 66 W111 Coupe to the St Michaels, MD Concourse from N. VA, a new problem occurred, a vibration began in what I think was the Driveshaft area; becoming far worse on the return trip, two days later, all toll about 300 miles total.  I never exceeded 57 mph because above that speed the harmonics were telling me something; slow down, and there were as many sounds as the Boston Pops creates in one of their symphonies, especially during deceleration.  The only time I actually heard the engine was during a no load, slight downhill situation!  It can be perhaps one or more things under there but I’d sure appreciate your input on what ya’ll think is the problem!  Thanks, Larry L.

[Cees Klumper]

Don't drive it anymore! before you get to the bottom of this. I recall horror stories of the driveshaft coupling (donut?) coming undone and the driveshaft causing all kinds of mayhem to the underside, gearbox or whatever. That's what your issue sounds to me like, the driveshaft no longer being centered and that sounds like it could turn into a worse problem quickly.

On a more positive note, perhaps a wheel that is loose?

[Bonnyboy]

Get that car up on a hoist and start poking around -  drive shaft rubbers is my first guess as already noted.   I had a brake caliper come loose and it made a heck of a racket.  Also make sure all the suspension is intact and secure.  I like to tap things with a metal rod to hear the sound they make

[larryled]

Cees/Ian, good advice, may take me awhile but I’ll give a progress report as things move on, thanks to both of you, Larry L.

[114015]

A fellow Pagoda owner had lost one of the six bolts of the flex disc after he visited the shop. Strong vibration was the result. 
So, check all this carefully.

Good luck & keep us updated.

Best,

Achim

[mdsalemi]

Don't drive it anymore! before you get to the bottom of this. I recall horror stories of the driveshaft coupling (donut?) coming undone and the driveshaft causing all kinds of mayhem to the underside, gearbox

Good memory, Cees. Exactly what happened to me. It let loose for some unknown reason--probably things not tightened by the guy who had the transmission out. The mayhem destroyed the driveshaft, and the transmission casing, and transmission. Very expensive repair...and a 150 mile tow.

[TJMart]

I'd check the transmission mount to see if it has collapsed which will also destroy the flex disc and bolts with time. Don't ask me how I know!! If it is the mount and flex disc make sure you use original Mercedes Parts too! There is a difference.

[larryled]

I Found the Cause of the Vibration, now will come the Fix.  With the car up, I got a good look at the Driveshaft; from front to back the Flex Disc looks good, the mid bearing and U-joint look good, but the rear U-joint is the problem, maybe not all, but the major cause. I grabbed the shaft and could  move it back and forth, and it made a clunking sound, and then I could see about 1/8” movement around all 4 Bearing Caps of the rear U-joint, scary! There was zero lubricant visible, which obviously caused this mess!  This will not be an easy fix and may have to do it myself as most repair shops in my area don’t even want to deal with old cars anymore.  But with the shaft removed it makes good sense to replace the other U-joint, the Flex disc and the bearing. 

[Bonnyboy]

Good catch -  that is good news when it is something as simple as a universal joint.   Good idea to replace the other universal and flex disk and bearing.    since you are down there check the condition of the transmission mount.

[wwheeler]

I had my driveshaft rebuilt with new U joints and was balanced at a local shop. If I recall, the MB U joints are in theory not serviceable. They are pressed out and then you have to machine out grooves for the retaining rings used in the new joints. I believe they balance it as a unit (front and rear piece) as well as the center bearing.

I believe I remember seeing a place in CA that rebuilds these and has them ready to ship out as exchange. I looked in the vendor list but couldn’t find them. Maybe some else remembers. It is definitely getting harder to find people to work on the Mercedes design specific components.

[Jonny B]

I believe there are two different styles of joints. The early cars are more serviceable, while the new cars (I don't recall where the change was made - but I am sure someone will chime in on that) have to be pressed out and "swaged" in. This makes the balancing process a bit complicated

[Pawel66]

The only spare parts there that I see are:

1. Joint flange (A 111 411 00 44), the one that connects to differential flange:

Up to ident. no.: 042 10/50,20/60 017853   
Up to ident. no.: 042 12/52,22/62 018330

So 230SL manual 017853 and automatic 18330.

These were also VIN numbers for drive shaft change (multiple part numbers).

2. Universal joint cross

For all 113042 and
For 113043: 10/50,20/60UP TO CHASSIS 002524; 12/52, 22/62 UP TO CHASSIS 002467

[mdsalemi]

It is definitely getting harder to find people to work on the Mercedes design specific components.

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