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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / February 2008

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Driveshaft Vibration Dampener

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Scott Buchanan - 10 Feb 2008 12:28 GMT
Some Mercedes have a rubber and metal disk at the front of the driveshaft
that is called a vibration dampener. Both my 230CE 4-speed and the donor
190E 5-speed have this. I need to have a drive shaft shortened for the
5-speed. The people that I talked to that will doing the work said that it
does not need the dampener and the one that I get from them will not have
one.

Do you know if this will be OK?
Tiger - 10 Feb 2008 21:53 GMT
You need it... MB puts it in for one reason only... because it needs it. You
buy a new flex disc when you install it.
Scott Buchanan - 11 Feb 2008 12:17 GMT
That is what I am thinking too. One of the things that he said was that the
rubber on the vibration dampener gets hard and it does not work right. I
don't understand why some cars need it and some don't.

TSB ref# 41/15 dated Feb. 1991 states that model 201.028 has a dampener and
model 201.029 does not have it but does have a modified flex disk.

> You need it... MB puts it in for one reason only... because it needs it. You
> buy a new flex disc when you install it.
Tiger - 11 Feb 2008 19:10 GMT
I don't see what the issue is with these guys... when they shorten it, they
can shorten it to any length they want. There is still an adjustable sleeve
in the front part of the driveshaft so you can put in the flex disc.

Since you need a shorter one... the only modification they need to do is the
front part of the driveshaft... the rear remains the same... and with the
adjustable sleeve, you should be able to find someone who can do it with no
problem. The right way... MB way.
Scott Buchanan - 12 Feb 2008 11:37 GMT
I should have been more clear. I am not talking about the flex disk. There
is a disk adjacent to the flex disk that can not be removed that MB calls a
vibration dampener. this is the part in question.

> I don't see what the issue is with these guys... when they shorten it, they
> can shorten it to any length they want. There is still an adjustable sleeve
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> adjustable sleeve, you should be able to find someone who can do it with no
> problem. The right way... MB way.
weelliott@gmail.com - 12 Feb 2008 13:02 GMT
The disc serves two purposes that I know of. It damps vibration. But
it also takes care of any misalignment between the tranny output shaft
and the driveshaft just like a universal or CV joint would do. In
theory there would be no misalignment. But that would be assuming that
all motor mounts, transmission mounts, shaft carrier bushing
mounts(not the real name, but the thing that holds the driveshaft at
the center of the car whose name I can't remember.), etc. are not worn
or even slightly misaligned. Without this, once your motor mounts or
transmission mounts start to sag, the bearings supporting the output
shaft of the tranny won't be subjected to extra forces.

I'd find another shop with more knowledge. It's often a good indicator
of competence.
Scott Buchanan - 13 Feb 2008 12:11 GMT
Keep in mind that I am not referring to the flex disk that connects the
driveshaft to the transmission. but a 133 mm diameter disk that is attached
behind the driveshaft flange. It is a rubber and metal assembly. Some
Mercedes have this and some do not.

The shop, www.driveshafts.com, in Portland, OR, specializes in MB, BMW and
Lexis drive shafts seems to know what they are talking about. They were
recommended in a MB forum. Other shops in the area wont touch it.

There take is that the dampener is no good due to hard and cracked rubber by
the time that they get a shaft for re-build so they take it off and balance
it without it.

> The disc serves two purposes that I know of. It damps vibration. But
> it also takes care of any misalignment between the tranny output shaft
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> I'd find another shop with more knowledge. It's often a good indicator
> of competence.
Tiger - 14 Feb 2008 23:33 GMT
Then follow their expertise... I mistaken flex disc with your dampner... I
would agree with them on the dampner breaking apart and causing big problem.
They personally balance the driveshaft so it never needs any type of
dampener.
Don Sparks - 21 Feb 2008 20:57 GMT
Hi Scott:

We have many driveshafts through here some have built in vibration dampners
and some do not, even same make,model and year, as long as your unit is
properly balanced by manufacturer, should  be no problem.
The fact you are using a professional rebuilder will get rid of most of your
headaches.

                                                                Don Sparks
                                                              (Bowtie Benz)
 
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