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TobyJH
Member
Date registered: Jan 2016
Location: Calgary
Vehicle(s): 1988 300 GD
Posts: 5
| Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Hi,
We are trying to locate a new vibration that developed very suddenly.
It seems to be rpm related, and not speed related.
In slow speeds it is a lot lower and not as bad. It gets very bad had high speeds.
Seems to be a very low frequency, rapid vibration.
The photo below is the short shaft that goes from the back of the transmission to the transfer case.
It seems to have a strange gap on the transmission side.
Is this normal?
If not, what could cause this gap?
Could this short shaft be the cause of the vibration?
HISTORY
Also to note, we took out the Propeller Shaft from the transfer case to the front axle.
This was causing a vibration, and as soon as we took it out, that shake left, and the G-Wagon drove completely smoothly, with no vibrations.
The shop told us this transfer case to front axle shaft was bent and needed to be replaced.
Then the clutch slave cylinder blew up, we replaced that, and suddenly this vibration developed in a very short time. (probably co-incidence with the slave cylinder).
Is this sudden, new vibration related to us removing the transfer case to front axel shaft?
Can we drive the vehicle with this shaft removed?
Or, is this causing the gap to form in this short shaft?
In the video, see the play also in the shaft, by the gap, how do we fix this??
Video of gap:
https://youtu.be/ptKf7umWwxo
Thanks so much for your help.
1988 300 GD, 5 cyl, 5 speed
460.333, om617.95 engine
 (IMG_3768WEB.jpg)
Attachments
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 IMG_3768WEB.jpg (299KB - 1 downloads)
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Looks like rear bearing on the transmission is gone. |
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J.R.
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Vehicle(s): 00 G500, 09 911 4S, 11 Cayenne S, 86 280GE (sold)
Posts: 828
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Did you engage the transfer case to drive the front axle even though it was removed? I recall that it must be engaged to secure proper internal lubrication with the front shaft removed. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Not normal!! Something major has failed, and the Getrag is infamous for failures of that bearing. That is most certainly the source of your vibrations.
This has been discussed here some time back, and a custom part was made to fix and prevent the problem from happening again.
Also, do NOT, repeat NOT, drive the vehicle in "S" (2WD street) with the front drive shaft removed. Without that front drive shaft you MUST drive either in "SA" (4WD street) or "GA" (4WD off-road). The Transfer Case requires the gearing in the TC for the front axle to turn the pump in order to lubricate the TC. |
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Warren T
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Montreal
Vehicle(s): 230GE,300GD,300D
Posts: 519
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Seen this before. The nut holding the output flange to the transmission shaft is loose. Remove the shaft and tighten
the nut. It has a shoulder that you bend to lock it in place.
Dutch is refering to the input bearing at the other end of the transmission. Before that one goes it will be noisy with
transmission in neutral and clutch out.
Warren |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
I think Warren is right on |
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TobyJH
Member
Date registered: Jan 2016
Location: Calgary
Vehicle(s): 1988 300 GD
Posts: 5
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Thanks so much everyone, we will try tightening the nut, and driving in SA.
I will let you all know what happens!
Thanks again!
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TobyJH
Member
Date registered: Jan 2016
Location: Calgary
Vehicle(s): 1988 300 GD
Posts: 5
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Hi Folks,
Yes, sure enough, when I took the shaft off, the nut fell right out!
I will post more photos.
Replaced the nut with a new one, ran the tranny up by itself, and everything felt good and solid, with just the flange attached.
Lubed the drive shafts all, reinstalled the short one, and installed a new one to the front box.
She runs perfectly!!
Never felt it so smooth and quiet!
It sounds like a brand new G-Wagon!!!
I wanted to top up the tranny fluid, the service manual says ATF Type A, can you folks please confirm that? Or, is there a better type?
Also, what is the easiest way to access to top up the Tranny fluid?? (A real newbie question, sorry http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/images/emoticons/smile.gif )
Thanks again so much everyone!
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TobyJH
Member
Date registered: Jan 2016
Location: Calgary
Vehicle(s): 1988 300 GD
Posts: 5
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration SOLVED - How to Top Up Oil?
Perhaps, more accurately, about a couple tablespoons or so of fluid came out when I took the flange off.
Is this Tranny fluid?
Or, Gear Oil?
How do I top this up?
Thanks again,
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
TobyJH - 7/18/2016 3:34 PM
I wanted to top up the tranny fluid, the service manual says ATF Type A, can you folks please confirm that? Or, is there a better type?
Good luck finding ATF Type A. Dexron is an acceptable substitute. |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration SOLVED - How to Top Up Oil?
Toby,
you transmission needs ATF oil.
I would use the opportunity and change the oil completely
it's only 1.6 liters
drain and fill plugs are shown below
Edited by 4x4abc 7/18/2016 5:40 PM
 (plugs.jpg)
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plugs.jpg (171KB - 1 downloads)
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration SOLVED - How to Top Up Oil?
TobyJH - 7/18/2016 4:44 PM
How do I top this up?
Thanks again,
See the attached image.
 (Tranny.jpg)
Attachments
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Tranny.jpg (53KB - 1 downloads)
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TobyJH
Member
Date registered: Jan 2016
Location: Calgary
Vehicle(s): 1988 300 GD
Posts: 5
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Thanks again folks!
I checked the manuals, and couldn't find those plugs.
Only the drain one.
I guess the manuals aren't written for a dummy like me!
I'm learning though!
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Who needs a manual when you have Harald and Dutch and the P3 gurus |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
TobyJH - 7/18/2016 3:45 PM
Thanks again folks!
I checked the manuals, and couldn't find those plugs.
Only the drain one.
I guess the manuals aren't written for a dummy like me!
I'm learning though!
the manual shows the transmission only from the left side
the fill plug is on the right
and you are right, Mercedes considers the oil change as so trivial, that it is not covered in the repair manual. However, it is shown in the service manual (you have that one).
both drain plug and fill plug require the big allen wrench you have in your onboard tool kit (only used for fluid openings in axle, transfer case, engine and transmission) |
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petermerle
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Cape Town ( deep south )
Vehicle(s): W460 *1, W123 *2, W124
Posts: 1315
| Re: Gap in short Propeller Shaft - Is this normal? Looking for Vibration
Did you tab the nut so it cannot come out again ? |
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