Weird noises from rear - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

83 300D · #1 08-15-2004, 07:10 PM

Hi all,

I drove my '83 300D Turbo cross country and am now in California a long way from home. We have a heavier load than I've ever had on the car and maybe that is what caused the problem initially. The engine did fine but my passenger and I started noticing a vibration and noise along the way. In Colorado I looked under the car and noticed a small differential fluid leak. I had a quick oil change place look at it. The guy said it looked dirty but it was full. I replaced the diff. fluid anyway, but it hasn't helped the problem. I had to drive on to Oregon anyway due to time constraints. The noise progressed and we couldn't figure out the cause.

Now there is a pronounced clunking noise from the rear end, most likely driver side. The noise comes and goes. It is worse on acceleration and going up hills and goes away on downhills. I jacked up the car and took off the wheel. Nothing seems loose. When I spin the wheel hub there is a noise inside the axle near the diff. that sounds like a steel ball rolling around inside the tin can shaped casing. When starting from a cold start the noise is absent but comes back after driving awhile. It is loud and sounds like metal on metal. Unfortunately, I've had to drive it this way for several hundred miles.

The prev. owner had replaced the passenger side axle but not the driver side. The boots are cracked pretty bad but seem intact.

I know noises are hard to diagnose but I'm a long way from home and could use any help. My passenger said it sounds like a uv joint, but I haven't heard that before so I don't know. I know the axles have cv joints.

Does this sound like a bad axle? If it's gone how much does it hurt to drive it? Could it lock up, fall off, destroy the differential?

Anyone know any good MB mechanics in the San Francisco area. I will be in Monte Rio for a few days and need to get this fixed before I head home. I'd tackle the job myself if I was home, but it's much harder on the road. I know there are some forum members around here so maybe someone knows a good indi mech. Oh, one more very important thing, I don't have much cash.

Thanks,
Mark

Veloce300DT · #2 08-15-2004, 07:20 PM

Try Sals ********, on San Jose ave. in San Francisco, just off of HWY 280S.
generally, labor rates are rediculous in the Bay Area, so an inexpensive check and fix will be hard to come by.

HOWEVER, if you are going to be taking HWY 80 east, and passing through Sacramento, there is a shop my family has been using for years. VERY honest and friendly, family owned, and they always try to do as little damage to the pocket book as possible. Specialize in MBs, and other european marques.
Labor rates are lower inland, and this shop really knows what its doing.

Paul Lausevic is the owner, and the shop contact information is as follows:

European Sportscar Garage
1929 16th st. Sacramento, CA
916-441-5412

whunter · #3 08-15-2004, 07:39 PM

Axle Assembly GKN Automotive IN STOCK $399.94

There are two shown, don't know if that is left/right or year model change?

Get it done ASAP, the shaft will break and pound the car to scrap metal.

I would not take it through the mountains, if it breaks on a down grade, there could be serious danger.

vwbuge · #4 08-15-2004, 09:58 PM

How do the flex discs look?

BenzRepair · #5 08-15-2004, 10:07 PM

Sounds like a axle shaft to me, but pinion bearing is a remote possibility. You can grab the propellor shaft at the differential input and shake/push to check for movement.

BenzRepair · #6 08-15-2004, 10:19 PM

There are places which sell rebuilt axle assemblies for under $100 if the price is most important; 800 444-2953 at a cost of $69.95 + $120.00 for core. I buy my rebuilt axle shafts from Star Motors ( 800 STAR-LTD; ask for Brian, tell him Tim Johnson sent you) for a little more. The two different types of axles for a 123CH coincide with the mounting bolts going through the outboard wheel shaft; the updated one I believe uses the larger bolt w/ a 13mm head -- the old style has a 10mm head I think. Anyway, you can use either one if you have the right bolts, but newer one w/ additional bolt kit is the best way to go (brought that up because rebuilts are often out of stock in one type or the other).

AJEYA · #7 08-17-2004, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83 300D

Hi all,

I drove my '83 300D Turbo cross country and am now in California a long way from home. We have a heavier load than I've ever had on the car and maybe that is what caused the problem initially. The engine did fine but my passenger and I started noticing a vibration and noise along the way. In Colorado I looked under the car and noticed a small differential fluid leak. I had a quick oil change place look at it. The guy said it looked dirty but it was full. I replaced the diff. fluid anyway, but it hasn't helped the problem. I had to drive on to Oregon anyway due to time constraints. The noise progressed and we couldn't figure out the cause.

Now there is a pronounced clunking noise from the rear end, most likely driver side. The noise comes and goes. It is worse on acceleration and going up hills and goes away on downhills. I jacked up the car and took off the wheel. Nothing seems loose. When I spin the wheel hub there is a noise inside the axle near the diff. that sounds like a steel ball rolling around inside the tin can shaped casing. When starting from a cold start the noise is absent but comes back after driving awhile. It is loud and sounds like metal on metal. Unfortunately, I've had to drive it this way for several hundred miles.

The prev. owner had replaced the passenger side axle but not the driver side. The boots are cracked pretty bad but seem intact.

I know noises are hard to diagnose but I'm a long way from home and could use any help. My passenger said it sounds like a uv joint, but I haven't heard that before so I don't know. I know the axles have cv joints.

Does this sound like a bad axle? If it's gone how much does it hurt to drive it? Could it lock up, fall off, destroy the differential?

Anyone know any good MB mechanics in the San Francisco area. I will be in Monte Rio for a few days and need to get this fixed before I head home. I'd tackle the job myself if I was home, but it's much harder on the road. I know there are some forum members around here so maybe someone knows a good indi mech. Oh, one more very important thing, I don't have much cash.

Thanks,
Mark

call Ernest at 650 367 8218, tell him Ajeya sent you.

83 300D · #8 08-22-2004, 03:29 PM

Thanks for the help. I took it to European Sales & Service in Santa Rosa. I think they did a good job. A differential mount bolt broke and they had to extract it and replaced all four bolts. That's another reason I'm glad I didn't attempt the repair on the road! Total cost was $803.61. Axle was $420.00 (they gave me a reduced price!) and labor was $299.61 at $100 per hour.

We drove from San Francisco to Alabama in three days. Everything held together well. Gotta love these cars. The odometer turned over 300,000 miles on the way home! Total trip miles was nearly 6K.

Mark