280ce driveshaft vibration

[jha2297255]

i have a 1980 280ce 167 cu I6 110 double timing chain engine  with roughly 130K miles

the problem i have noticed is a vibration that can be felt directly over the driveshaft tunnel  
checking the haynes manual it gives possible causes for this as : worn centering sleeves and flexible couplings and a worn centre bearing.

How would i check to see what is the culprit or should i just replace them all ?
any help is appreciated---josh h
JHa2297255@aol.com

 

[Andy]

Hi Josh,

Welcome to the club. Just how would you check for a viabration which could be anything.

Start with the cheapest. Then work through them. With out testing the vehicle it is extremely hard to advise which way to go. You need to experience the viabration to get a feel for what it may be.

Try the gear box mounting first. See if it has collasped. All what you have mentioned could cause it. The propshaft couplings need to be well worn to cause a viabration or a bolt missing out of one. It will cause a major viabration then.

I have had prop center bearings cause viabrations as well. Not the bearing itself. It would be the rubber support. Although you have to change both.

Hope I have been some help.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Anonymous]

Josh, I recently had bad vibrations coming from the area of the auto gearbox..I was convinced it was new gearbox time..but it turned out to be just the driverside engine mounting. Which shows that you can't always be sure where the vibes arise from.Check engine mounts for oil weep. Do you get the same vibes in reverse gear, for instance?   Also,  IMHO , it's wise to follow Andy's sound advice.....Tony

 

[jha2297255]

hi    
i appreciate your help

the vibration i can feel seems to occur only at higher speeds roughly around 70 or higher  

it seems as if the lower the engine rpms the more i can feel the vibration...if i engage the kickdown switch and shift to a lower gear the vibration seems to go away

i dont recall any vibration in reverse but i infrequently use it at any speed higher than a slow crawl

i have checked both engine mounts and neither are cracked... but other than that im unsure how i would note any irregularities...there is also a small damper with each mounting and im not sure how one tests these

i checked the underside and all the flex coupling bolts are in place...but i will check the torque on them to ensure thats not a problem...

no passengers seem to notice the vibration...but i can feel it as im driving especially if i press my hand over the armrest

thanks for your help---josh

ps i notice many of the posters on this site are from the UK

im quite a fan of british cars as well owning a 1967 austin healey sprite---of course that positive ground wiring always confuses me