Well, there's NO torque tube nor DeDion rear axle. It's the old Mercedes "Swing Axle" that uses an exposed drive line from the transmission to the ring and pinion assembly. It has a u-joint in the middle and a center, carrier bearing, and is not much different than what the w114/115 and later cars used (from about 1968 on). The real difference is that instead of a the ring and pinion assembly being mounted on the frame, with two cv-style axles going out to the wheels, this old system has the ring and pinion attached to a mount that pivots at the frame, and a second pivot that splits the otherwise solid rear axle housing into two. The axle that's inside of the housing side that's not mounted with the ring and pinion has a constant velocity joint. This allows for "independent rear suspension", sort of. There's a hefty coil spring that tries to push the two axle housings away from each other. (On the higher priced cars, the w108, w111/112 and SLs, this spring was replaced by a hydro elastic damper which would compensate for loads to keep the car level. Elegant in it's simplicity, and an advantage over the later, fully independent rear axle system, but that hydro elastic unit is big $$$$$ to replace!) It's a lot easier to explain using pictures rather than words alone.
The upshot is that the axle bearings are not that much different to replace than on any old American car or light truck with a live, solid rear axle. The two axles are pulled using a slide hammer, the old bearings are pushed (or cut) off, and the new bearings are pressed on.
Mark
From: "vwnate1@yahoo.com [diesel_mercedes]" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2015 12:00:40 PM
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Rear Axle Service
Hi Dexter ;
First , you must put the chassis designation in the header box _every_time_ so those who just skim , but know , will stop and read , maybe be able to offer help .
Next : which particular bearing is bad ? there's a bunch in there , if just a wheel bearing I suggest replacing both and the attendand oil seals .
If a pinion or ring gear bearing , I suggest getting another entire used rear end , re sealing it and then install , drive way happy .
Torque Tube final drives are very sturdy and long lived . if it's failing , one needs to know why before doing more than wheel bearing service to it .
I hope this helps you to proceed .
-Nate
Dexter wrote :
From: "vwnate1@yahoo.com [diesel_mercedes]" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2015 12:00:40 PM
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Rear Axle Service
Hi Dexter ;
First , you must put the chassis designation in the header box _every_time_ so those who just skim , but know , will stop and read , maybe be able to offer help .
Next : which particular bearing is bad ? there's a bunch in there , if just a wheel bearing I suggest replacing both and the attendand oil seals .
If a pinion or ring gear bearing , I suggest getting another entire used rear end , re sealing it and then install , drive way happy .
Torque Tube final drives are very sturdy and long lived . if it's failing , one needs to know why before doing more than wheel bearing service to it .
I hope this helps you to proceed .
-Nate
Dexter wrote :
| My 67 Mercedes 200d has bad rear bearings. The rear axle is honestly weird and I'm not confident enough to tear in yet. From what I can tell it has a torque tube and design based on a De Dion axle. Does anyone have any experience with these? |
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Posted by: "Mark in Lakewood, CO" <beeser750@q.com>
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