[W126 Coupe] Rear End Thumping

[Lou Carrillo]

I found that my drive shaft was not "timed" properly and caused the center bearing, or rather the rubber mount, to fail. The slip joint in the center of the drive shaft must be assembled per the manual for proper balance. 

Lou
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Alexander Hochhausl<mailto:plustech at optonline.net> 
  To: 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists'<mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> 
  Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 8:40 AM
  Subject: [W126 Coupe] Rear End Thumping




  ... 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

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