[W126 Coupe] Rear End Thumping

[Alexander Hochhausl]

... or so I thought.

This may help others. 

Over the past few months I heard a thumping coming from the rear every
time I accelerated from a stop (slow or fast - didn't matter) for ~ 2
seconds. Sounded to me like muffler hitting the body.

I found out it's the center bearing carrier - the rubber is ripped
apart. So I guess when I start out it bounces around in what's left of
the housing until the increasing rotational inertia causes it to
stabilize (like a spinning top). Odd thing is I had no high speed
vibrations. The bearing is located pretty far back, which made it sound
like the sound was coming from the rear end. I'm glad it's only a $20
problem.

The mystery is that I replaced the driveshaft ~ 3 years ago, and also
replaced the carrier (bearing and flex disks - since I was putting the
supercharger in - I wanted no weak links), so I don't know why it's
ripped to shreds already. The supercharger really should have no effect
on the carrier.

Has anyone else experienced a short life of this part? Maybe I got a
cheap/defective part last time? Can anyone recommend a good source for
this part, cause I'm not looking forward to repeating the labor in
another 3 years.

On my 380SLC I had fabricated a solid rubber carrier vs. the thin stock
one & that lasted for ever, but I really don't want to spend the time
doing that again.

Thanks All.

Alex H.
89' 560SEC