Replacing the elastic coupling and centering bushings (Mercedes-Benz E-Class W123)

Defective elastic couplings or centering bushings can cause increased noise, loss of lubrication and vehicle failure.

Cross-section of the flexible coupling of the drive shaft

1. Remove the cardan shaft.

2. When reusing the flexible coupling, mark its position relative to the propeller shaft flange.

3. After removing the bolts, remove the elastic coupling.

4. Place the cardan shaft in a vice with soft metal jaws and drill a hole in a plane perpendicular to the axis with a diameter of 10 mm in the centering sleeve at a distance of approximately 15 mm from its outer end.



5. Insert a puller (rod) into the resulting hole and remove the sleeve from the cardan shaft.

6. Clean the shaft groove, place the new bushing vertically on the bore and press it completely in place using a mandrel.

7. Install the flexible coupling on the cardan shaft flange, ensuring that the marks previously applied match. Install the bolts (heads towards the intermediate support) and screw on new self-locking nuts, tightening them to a torque of 4.5 kgf·m.

8. Install the cardan shaft on the vehicle.

Note: Do not forget to put 6 g of high-melting grease into the groove of the centering sleeve.