How do you change the transmission-propshaft rubber on a W124?

[paulcallender]

I've noticed that the rubber coupling, just behind the auto gearbox, which connects the transmission to the propshaft, is worn, on my 1990 W124 230TE. Its an easy enough job to replace it on a W114 or a W123, since just behind the transmission is a section of propshaft which accommodates forwards-backwards movement. So you can simply undo the bolts, separate the components and replace it. (The biggest pain is that you have to lower the car, move it forwards a little, then raise it all again, in order to rotate everything a little and reach all the bolts).

I've read the relevant section of the Haynes manual and this says you have to remove the propshaft to do it, on a W124. Is this really true? Has anyone experience of this particular job? I'm hoping you can just slide the propshaft back a little bit, since this would make the job way easier to do.

PS The innocent-looking rubber joint, together with replacement bolts, costs over £110 from the Mercedes dealers!

 

[snoopy]

If you haven't bought the spares already, you might find that the rubber coupling set might be far cheaper from Euro Car Parts.

 

[aal]

I just did this job, you need a large open ended spanner to loosen the propshaft nut at the mid bearing location, this allows the shaft to slide rearwards to release the rubber joint.

 

[paulcallender]

I went for the Mercedes-supplied part, although I did check out the price from ECP - £40 or so. I thought, when I come to sell it, I didn't facy saying "yes, its been maintained entirely with original parts, oh, except for the propshaft-transmission coupling, I thought I'd save some money on that part". Other than that, I don't know why I didn't check out ECP first.....its not exactly a safety-critical part.

 

[paulcallender]

I waited a while, but I did this job today. It turns out, there is no other way than to remove the propshaft, which makes it a much longer job than it should be. Also, because of the way mine had failed, it was stuck firmly onto the propshaft so I didn't really have much choice but to remove it. Additionally, there were fragments remaining on the transmission.

The most annoying thing about this job was banging my head about 237 times. One of those times it was so hard, and on the jack, that I'm sure I saw little stars circling my head, in the style of Tom & Jerry. The other annoying thing was finding I didn't have any Tipp-Ex so I had to nip to the shops.

I don't suppose anyone knows where you can buy a really cheap 4-post lift???

 

[Bolide]

4 poster

Strangely enough, 4-posters (lifts, not beds) are on eBay and Friday-Ad all the time because they're virtually valueless. £300 will get you a decent screw-type lift

But, most of the lifts that are cheap need 3-phase. You can either get the motor rewound or get a 3-phase/single-phase starter/convertor

Most of them need at least 10 or 11 feet height to fit, plus a strong, level concrete floor. But they do beat trolley jacks!


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk