Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: tomeo on January 25, 2008, 22:33:25

Title: rear axle trouble
Post by: tomeo on January 25, 2008, 22:33:25

Had motor mounts replaced on my 230sl automatic.  Two days later, drove car approximately 2 and a half hours.  All of the sudden, shuddering, and then Smash,Bang, Boom!  Rear end failure. Hypoid oil all over everything.  While having it pulled up on roolback, noticed no bolts in rear end of driveshaft!!  NONE, no remants of them either.  Anyone experience anything like this B4?, AND Secondly, anyone know where I can find a new rear axle?  (66 230sl automatic)

thanks out there in Pagoda land.

Title: Re: rear axle trouble
Post by: hands_aus on January 26, 2008, 06:27:51

Did you have the rear transmission mount changed too?
Was there any form of vibration while you were driving the car? eg, rearview mirror shaking

Just wondering if the drive shaft became unbalanced or out of alignment because of the new motor mounts?


Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

Title: Re: rear axle trouble
Post by: Paddy_Crow on January 26, 2008, 09:39:32

I will be interested in following this, I am going to be replacing my motor mounts when the weather gets warm. I have already purchased the left, right, and rear trans mounts.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch...

Title: Re: rear axle trouble
Post by: waqas on January 26, 2008, 11:43:29

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

They likely forgot in install new lock-plates at the driveshaft/differential coupling (two lock-plates, each covering a pair of bolts for a total of four bolts). If these lock-plates had been installed, the bolts would never have come loose. The plates are pretty specialized, and usually need to be ordered.

Let us know how we can help!

Waqas in Austin, Texas

Title: Re: rear axle trouble
Post by: Desertpagoda on January 26, 2008, 11:54:17

Just for the record...113-042 engine and or transmission mount replacement does NOT involve the driveshaft its bolts, joints, discs or carrier, whether automatic or manual.
 These missing bolts were no doubt already loose/missing and sadly overlooked. k

Title: Re: rear axle trouble
Post by: ja17 on January 26, 2008, 14:51:39

Hello.

Can't really tell what came first.  Rear end failure, or no driveshaft bolts. They may be related or just a coincedence?  Would be interested to know what failed in the differential.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

Title: Re: rear axle trouble
Post by: Paddy_Crow on January 26, 2008, 17:30:07

The engineer in me is having a hard time understanding how a drive shaft coming unbolted would fail the rear end. However, I can easily see seized gears in the differential causing the bolts to snap.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch...