So I have looked in the forums to replace my flex joints while I am replacing my rear diff. I found a ton of threads, but everyone kept saying they cost $180+ each. So I thought I'd share a company from California, wholesaleimportparts, where I bought two of the flex joints $68 ea(made in america), free shipping and got here to South Carolina in two days!

If everyone already knows about them, or of someone else that makes them then I'm sorry I re-posted it.

Mike

 

Nice find! I've had a lot of experience replacing these "flex joints" or "guibos" as they are referred to elsewhere. Prior to my Crossfire ownership, I was into the Merkur XR4Ti (had 3 of them in my driveway). Another limited production marque sold by Mercury from 1985 to 1989. These cars had the "guibo" within the driveshaft and it required replacement after several years of wear. Back then, Ford only quoted the entire driveshaft as a replacement part. But the Merkur Owners found several vendors that sold only the "guibo" and allowed us to replace that item for peanuts compared to a new driveshaft.

 

For those interested in reading about the "giubo" (yes, I misspelled it in the above post), here's a link to the Wikipedia page:


Giubo (Wikipedia.org)

 

We never admit to misspelling anything, we edit it out of the original post and carry on as if we are perfect. Which we are.
See I just changed adore to are, this iPad has a mind of its own. I'll switch that feature awful.

 

We are a quirky society. If you spell the word correctly & search eBay, nothing comes up. Spell the work incorrectly, like Wikipedia indicates, and you get a listing of sources for the part.

 

I'll add that in many applications where the Guibo is used, the drive shaft will have a center support bearing. It is a good practice to replace that center support bearing whenever you're replacing Guibos.


Center Support Bearing

 

That's funny...I had Merkurs also. Both XR4Ti and Scorpio. Both were great cars. (Still have 3 XRs and the Scorpio on my property in various states of disrepair. Parts cars in case I run across another one )

 

For anyone with the NA Crossfire who is planning on replacing the Flex Disc or "Guibo" soon, Rock Auto has them listed for $20.84 eech as a Wholesaler Closeout Special. Only 12 show in stock. (Correction: There are only 10 left in stock now! ) Look up the part for a 2004 M-B SLK320.

 

Hey what is their 'how did you find out about us' coupon code?


NM, got the discount! Now shows only 8 remaining!

.

 

WOW, got my flex-disks today, never imagined they would be that heavy duty and large! Super fast delivery, and they actually had 9 bolts (not 6) in both packages. I'm going to have to pull out the manual to see if the other three bolts (no washer or nut for the 3 extra) are used anywhere in the replacement of, those two flex-disks. GREAT catch! OH, BTW, all the markings/wording on my boxes/packing bag, in GERMAN, except for the two words FLEX JOINT!


I should look up the 'company' HAMBURG-TECHNIC at www.hamburgtechnic.com. The two boxes have a label with 12/30/13 (Dec 30 2013?) with 5 numbers just before it -23263-.

.

 

Got my delivery a couple of days back. Like you, I was surprised that the flex discs were so stout. Back when I owned Merkur XR4Ti's, that flex disc was not as heavy-duty as these, and the XR4Ti only required 1 flex disc; not 2.

I'm also curious why there are 3 extra bolts in the package.