Recent Posts

41

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Drive train vibrations from Getrag 5-speed retrofit 280SL

« Last post by Cees Klumper on July 11, 2025, 12:36:49 »

When I was 19 (1979) I drove a Triumph Spitfure that had a driveline vibration under load. I suspected one of the driveshaft U-joints - the front one is accessible from within the car once a tunnel cover is removed, so I put the rear on jackstands, let the engine run in gear, and sitting in the driver's seat held a piece of chalk closer and closer to the spinning driveshaft until it touched -  and it only touched one side, so the flange was not centered etc. By inserting a shim into one side of the U-joint fitting underneath the circlip holding it in, and grinding down the opposite side circlip, I was able to move the driveshaft to exactly 'centered'. Drove it happily ever after with no vibration.
Fast forwarding to 2010, a used 2002 Volvo S80 (FWD) I bought in Geneva with 30K miles also had a vibration under load. Turned out the passenger side driveshaft was just a slight little bit bent, likely from a fender bender the PO experienced (I also found a small bottle of Jagermeister tucked away behind the fuse box cover). I replaced it (the driveshaft) and it's still doing duty without any vibration today.

42

Way Off Topic / Re: Mobile Auto detailers in Stamford Conn?

« Last post by mdsalemi on July 11, 2025, 12:24:53 »

Walt, tell your sister in law to join the social media app NextDoor, for Stamford. There will likely be many mobile detailers offering services, along with reviews from their satisfied clients.

43

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Easy FIP timing test

« Last post by Pawel66 on July 11, 2025, 11:57:41 »

I could swear I took it from Technical Manual, but maybe it was from some post. Anyway, this is what I used.

44

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Rubber transmission mount for manual transmission

« Last post by VintageCarsBoutique on July 11, 2025, 10:45:11 »

hello guys anyone know the distance 'a' in mm?

45

Wanted To Buy / Re: Early Cold Start Valve Ponton W128

« Last post by Pawel66 on July 11, 2025, 10:39:39 »

I bought the new coil part of it. Will test.

46

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Securing the radiator

« Last post by Pawel66 on July 11, 2025, 10:38:46 »

The screws are 4pcs N 304017 006016, looks like M6x12 (from conversion table), but check the length, 12mm may be too short.

Do not forget the rubber pads 2pcs A 113 502 00 30 (available at Mercedes).

47

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Drive train vibrations from Getrag 5-speed retrofit 280SL

« Last post by Pawel66 on July 11, 2025, 10:23:05 »

It’s interesting Pawel that such a minor deviation from true in one component caused vibrations. Given that, it’s  surprising that most drivelines run smoothly. I guess something like that may not be apparent on a GoPro camera either.
It sounds like an issue for the workshop who did the swap Christian (or did you do it yourself?)

Indeed! But the tolerances came from the book. Grinding the flange on the lathe fixed it. I saw the car on the dyno and I saw the shaft going sideways under load.

I have also learned many things about these shafts - angles, position of yokes vs. each other, etc.. I thought before it was just a question of balancing... well, it was not.

48

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Drive train vibrations from Getrag 5-speed retrofit 280SL

« Last post by Berggreen on July 11, 2025, 09:34:26 »

It’s interesting Pawel that such a minor deviation from true in one component caused vibrations. Given that, it’s  surprising that most drivelines run smoothly. I guess something like that may not be apparent on a GoPro camera either.
It sounds like an issue for the workshop who did the swap Christian (or did you do it yourself?)

Thanks a lot for your input, and I have indeed an appointment the coming Monday with the workshop, who did the Getrag 5-speed installation. They will raise it on the lift and take a look what is causing the vibrations.

I will keep you posted, once I have news from the workshop. :-)

By the way, about the Getrag, then it is running smoothly in all gears (except reverse where I sometimes have to work it a bit in and out to avoid "teeth brushing" and make it engage) with ATF Dextron III, although with a slight bit of gearbox noise, also when warm at certain rpm levels.

In connection with the visit to the workshop, I will therefore also ask them to change the ATF again in the gearbox, as the gearbox had an unknown past history and was a bit of a gamble to install, and after 1300 km it may be good to flush the oil out and refresh with new oil. But I have also asked them to add some engine/gearbox add-on, which I have with succes used before in the engine oil in my other cars, and which reduces the internal friction between contact surfaces. It is not a Teflon based product, but it chemically works with the internal contact surfaces and makes them smoother. I am thinking that this may cure some of the slight noises, the gearbox makes and will extend the lifetime of the gearbox.

What are your views on this?

Cheers,
Christian

49

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Drive train vibrations from Getrag 5-speed retrofit 280SL

« Last post by DaveB on July 11, 2025, 09:23:10 »

It’s interesting Pawel that such a minor deviation from true in one component caused vibrations. Given that, it’s  surprising that most drivelines run smoothly. I guess something like that may not be apparent on a GoPro camera either.
It sounds like an issue for the workshop who did the swap Christian (or did you do it yourself?)

50

Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes / Re: Easy FIP timing test

« Last post by sens on July 11, 2025, 07:21:24 »

Thanks for your reply Joe!!
I am sure that will work.

What do you think of the procedure I described?

Have a good day!

Halvor